Maternity Benefits

KittyBandit

cazj80 wrote: »

Hi,

With regard to Maternity Allowance, I had to claim it for my firstborn, as although I was always employed, I started a new job and then found out I was pregnant, so wasn't eligible for SMP, so claimed Maternity Allowance instead. You have to have worked for 26 weeks out of a 66 week test period. I think, from memory, that this is 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks prior to the baby's birth. You can get all the information on it here: -



Though if you're 21 weeks pregnant now, I don't think you'll get in 26 weeks employment before the baby is due.

With regard to tax credits, they currently can backdate 3 months (at least they could when we started claiming 2 years ago), however I think this is changing either next tax year or the one after. I'm not sure exactly when it is changing, but a quick search on these forums, or have a look at the info here:-



I don't know too much about the paternity laws, although I am on maternity leave at the moment, I get enhanced maternity pay so it was never worthwhile my husband going on paternity leave and only getting the SMP rate per week. There is more information here:-



Hope this all helps, and congratulations on your pregnancy. We have found life harder financially, but emotionally so rewarding, it really changes your priorities and makes you realise exactly what is important!

Thankyou! Im looking forward to the little man arriving!

KittyBandit

LL30 wrote: »

Claim your tax credits asap and apply for the sure start maternity grant. Once baby is born, you'll get ctc too and cb. Do you rent? (Sorry, cba to go through all the thread to check!)

If you're not happy with the conditions you're working in, then don't go back. It sounds like you're very angry at the moment, and I can appreciate what you're saying, but it's not going to change anything. Don't waste your energies on a fruitless battle/vent, once baby is here, I can guarantee you won't care anyway x

We own our home, Tax credits is on my to do list for tomorrow! Thankyou


I have to go back, I wanted this PhD have done 2 and a half years, and Im so close to the end! Just didnt realise Id be doing what i do, but have no employment rights! Its disappointing!

LL30

Do you get council tax benefit at all? Just a thought

I'm hoping to do my MA this year, so I know where you're coming from - I've wanted to do it for years, but timing has been an issue (as well as finances). The funding is going to change for next year, so if I don't get on (700 applicants for 30 places, oh heck!) the dream is going to disappear...My brain has only just returned after a long stint in 'baby brain world' (well, it's emerging!) so I hope you get yours back quicker than I managed to retrieve mine x

KittyBandit

LL30 wrote: »

Do you get council tax benefit at all? Just a thought

I'm hoping to do my MA this year, so I know where you're coming from - I've wanted to do it for years, but timing has been an issue (as well as finances). The funding is going to change for next year, so if I don't get on (700 applicants for 30 places, oh heck!) the dream is going to disappear...My brain has only just returned after a long stint in 'baby brain world' (well, it's emerging!) so I hope you get yours back quicker than I managed to retrieve mine x

Lol ive already started walking up to the printer and holding my mug out so it can make me a brew, falling asleep on trains, missing my stop and snoring like a drunkard! It cant get any worse can it?

Where you looking to do your MA and what in? Dont give up, there is always other years! It took me 2 years of persistent applications to get my funding! There are also some charities that fund Masters, which might help, just depends on the subjects!! Tuition fees are crazy these days!?!

Ill been looking into the council tax benefits this week! They sent me a form to fill in! Ive been a bit stupid when it comes to all these benefits, never claimed anything! I just found out aswell tax credits are insane!! if they back date what i havent claimed, we get a nice lump sum which i can divide up to be my maternity pay! Much more optimistic now!

LL30

KittyBandit wrote: »

Lol ive already started walking up to the printer and holding my mug out so it can make me a brew, falling asleep on trains, missing my stop and snoring like a drunkard! It cant get any worse can it?

Where you looking to do your MA and what in? Dont give up, there is always other years! It took me 2 years of persistent applications to get my funding! There are also some charities that fund Masters, which might help, just depends on the subjects!! Tuition fees are crazy these days!?!

Ill been looking into the council tax benefits this week! They sent me a form to fill in! Ive been a bit stupid when it comes to all these benefits, never claimed anything! I just found out aswell tax credits are insane!! if they back date what i havent claimed, we get a nice lump sum which i can divide up to be my maternity pay! Much more optimistic now!

Hate to break it to you, but it gets a whole lot worse...despite having got over the worst of it, I still put washing up liquid in my tea the other day...fortunately I realised before I drank it, previously, I would have realised at the point of drinking it - so it does get better

I too was ignorant to benefits before i got pregnant, now I'm very savvy and any 'principles' have gone out the window. I've researched all sorts of things; reduced water rates (I have manky skin), the new warm home payment and loads of other little bits that I just wouldn't have thought about before. Yes, it's not the nicest feeling in the world, and I always have letters to write (please know that your finances are not your own once you claim anything!) but it's essential at the moment. Once the MA is done (praying!) we should be out of this mess.

Glad you feel more optimistic - tcs will really help you out (they saved me on SMP - had a nightmare pregnancy and couldn't work from 22 weeks, and was made homeless at 29 weeks due to a catastrophic turn of events). I'm applying to Notts Uni - NHS funded course, hence the competition :S

KittyBandit

LL30 wrote: »

Hate to break it to you, but it gets a whole lot worse...despite having got over the worst of it, I still put washing up liquid in my tea the other day...fortunately I realised before I drank it, previously, I would have realised at the point of drinking it - so it does get better

I too was ignorant to benefits before i got pregnant, now I'm very savvy and any 'principles' have gone out the window. I've researched all sorts of things; reduced water rates (I have manky skin), the new warm home payment and loads of other little bits that I just wouldn't have thought about before. Yes, it's not the nicest feeling in the world, and I always have letters to write (please know that your finances are not your own once you claim anything!) but it's essential at the moment. Once the MA is done (praying!) we should be out of this mess.

Glad you feel more optimistic - tcs will really help you out (they saved me on SMP - had a nightmare pregnancy and couldn't work from 22 weeks, and was made homeless at 29 weeks due to a catastrophic turn of events). I'm applying to Notts Uni - NHS funded course, hence the competition :S

Ill have to look into that! I worked out that we needed about £200 a month than what we were going to get to make everything work! If they back date and pay until baby comes and i save it, then i can use that money in £200 instalments for 12 months whilst on leave!! So all is well! Far less stressed!

NHS funded courses are really good! You can apply for mortgages, and even get maternity pay! I hope you get it! if you need help with any of the application process email me (Have to work out how to give you the email, im new to this) Ive applied to so many postgrad things! Also if you havent looked, there is jobs.ac.uk which lists all the scholarships by area, subject, etc... (Sorry if you already knew)

Looked at the warm home payment, and that is amazing! If you have any more tips

LL30

Ah, didn't know about the jobs.ac.uk thing - will look at that I've got my interview on Weds, so at least I got through the application process. I've now got a written exam, group session and individual interview....eek...needless to say, I've been reading lots. I've got philosophical about it now, if I get on, it was meant to be, if not, then there's something else destined for me. I started my own business back in October and it's going really well, so there's always that. I just want to be able to sustain me and my little girl without any form of benefit. Currently I work 2 days and do my self employed bit the rest of the time. It keeps us going, but it's not sustainable long term. I need my MA to move me up the NHS banding as I'm currently stuck in the middle (and present job is below what I was on before, but I was only out of work for 3 weeks, so can't complain!).

TCs should entitle your oh to free prescriptions also, so that's another saving. You can get free eye checks and glasses (certain ones) with this too. It's amazing what bits and bobs are out there if you search - they say you hang up your dignity when you go into labour, I seem to have left mine in the hospital, I don't think I have any shame any more! I can't think of anything else at the moment but I'd recommend printing off the sure start maternity grant form now and get your midwife to sign it so it's ready to go xx

KittyBandit

Good luck and let me know how it goes x