Anything Else I should look at claiming? (maternity, housing and employment0

jordanchaos

I’ll try and keep this as short as possible

1. Me fully employed 40 hours p/w take home = £1200
2. Partner – 8 month pregnant – was self employed as screen printer had to stop 2 months ago as too heavy work- did not pay enough NI to get maternity allowance.

Private tenant in a 2 bed flat rent is £895 4 months left on contract so cannot move yet- will move as soon as contract ends - we live in a very very high rent area- we will move

We both have outstanding loans with Halifax the payment for this combined is £300 p/m (this is not taken in to account- but just making you aware of it)

Savings have just run out and had to borrow money from family to make rent

I know we were stupid and I’m trying to make amends – I just need to get this sorted before my daughter comes, I don’t know what to claim for?


Housing benefit and some kind of tax credit? - never claimed anything in my life and Brighton council were not very helpful on the phone (one person actually said I was 'a silly boy' for not sorting it out- which seemed condescending)

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

When your baby comes you will be able to make a claim for tax credits. and child benefit, not sure about housing or council tax though as your wage is quite alot. I would suggest contacting your local council for help with HB OR CTB.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

Is your OH entitled to statutory maternity pay (which is different to maternity allowance) ?

MrsManda

If you put your household details into one of the benefits calculators you will get a rough idea of what you may be able to claim.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/diol1/doitonline/doitonlinebycategory/dg_172666

As your partner cannot claim MA or SMP, she may be entitled to claim Employment Support Allowance - is this something you've looked at?
If your partner applied for MA and was turned down they should've assessed for ESA at that time.

Once the baby is born you'll receive child benefit and may be entitled to child tax credits.

Have you checked to see if you are eligible for a sure start grant?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

jordanchaos

Mumto3cheekymonkeys wrote: »

Is your OH entitled to statutory maternity pay (which is different to maternity allowance) ?

Hi, She is just applying for this now, thanks so much.
We are applying for the surestart grant too- phew didnt know about that one! - Just going to look at ESA - once again thank you so much. I know the wage seems quite high - its deceptive though because Brighton is VERY expensive - I make roughly the same as a checkout scanner ! and its a 45 hour week so it a bit deceptive

karenx

She won't get statutory maternity pay as isnt in employment. She may be able to get a small amount of maternty allowance, does she have a small earnings certificate?

nannytone_2

it's unlikely she will get ESA, for a number pf reasons ...
she is pregnant and not sick ... sje stopped her self employment becausee of heavy lifting, not because she was ill or became disabled.

if she isnt entitled to maternity allowance because of lack of contributions, she also wont be entitled to income related ESA
your earnings are too high for her to be entitled to income related ESA.

you may get some housing benefit though. find out your LHA rate for a 1 bed property ( 2 bed rate after baby is born)

sunnyone

jordanchaos wrote: »

I’ll try and keep this as short as possible

1. Me fully employed 40 hours p/w take home = £1200
2. Partner – 8 month pregnant – was self employed as screen printer had to stop 2 months ago as too heavy work- did not pay enough NI to get maternity allowance.

Private tenant in a 2 bed flat rent is £895 4 months left on contract so cannot move yet- will move as soon as contract ends - we live in a very very high rent area- we will move

We both have outstanding loans with Halifax the payment for this combined is £300 p/m (this is not taken in to account- but just making you aware of it)

Savings have just run out and had to borrow money from family to make rent

I know we were stupid and I’m trying to make amends – I just need to get this sorted before my daughter comes, I don’t know what to claim for?


Housing benefit and some kind of tax credit? - never claimed anything in my life and Brighton council were not very helpful on the phone (one person actually said I was 'a silly boy' for not sorting it out- which seemed condescending)

We have been through all of this with you a couple of months ago, nothing has changed since the last time you asked us for help from either your part (from the above post) or the benefits system so if you click your own user name you can navigate back to that thread to reread all the advice you were given then.

sunnyone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3878995=

jordanchaos

yeah all that wonderful advice. I'm surprised you can even see me from the top of your moral high ground.

Dunroamin

jordanchaos wrote: »

yeah all that wonderful advice. I'm surprised you can even see me from the top of your moral high ground.

The thread went off topic but only after you'd been given all the relevant information which you're now asking for again. It's not unreasonable to ask whether you've acted on previous advice.

Another possibility would be for you to negotiate with your creditors for lower repayments until you've had the opportunity of moving to a cheaper flat and start receiving tax credits.