Stressed out, in debt, baby on the way and OH lost job.

bonehead903028402

Hi there,

So I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant. I am in full time employment and have been since march, I am on a temporary contract which is due to finish in about a month(no exact date yet) I have been off work alot since about 10 weeks pregnant, returning for a few days here and had a few doctors lines as I have been suffering from bad sickness in my pregnancy and feeling generally ill and exhausted. So my wages have been suffering as when I go in I usually only manage a half day then will be off a week. My last wage was 500ish and I'm expecting less this time as I have worked less.

I am in the process of paying off credit card and loan debt about 5000 in total. My minimum repayments come to about 150 a month and are expected to rise this month and the next due to a few cards/balance transfers no longer being interest free. I am unable to get any new credit to shifts these debts and am unable to move any around onto cards as most are just off being maxed.

I also have an overdraft that I am charged for monthly.

Me and my partner have currently moved into a 2 bedroomed house (private rent) due to the new baby, we are on a 6 month lease and pay 400 p/m rent and 160 p/m council tax.

My partner also has debts and a car to pay for.

He works in the construction trade and has had steady work with a company for most part of a year now (is classed as self employed and subcontracted by a company) He was on a good wage and we were managing okay and up to date with all payments until this week when he found out the company he worked for has went into liquidation so he no longer has work.

We have filled out the form online for him today to claim Jobseekers allowance and any housing benefits we may receive.

I have had a look at a few benefits calculators online and we do no seem to qualify for very much as I work full time (even though I have been sick for a while)

I seem to be entitled to working tax credits now that he is not working but as I only have few weeks left in the job I am in before my contract ends don't know if it would be worth even applying as I seen online it can take 2 weeks for the pack to even get to you.

I estimate I will finish work about 2 weeks before I would of been entitled to SMP(maternity pay) would need to stay employed until the 31st of Sept, but should recieve MA(maternity allowance)

I will be classed as unemployed from mid sept - october 31st (when i can start to claim maternity allowance)

We still have everything to buy for the baby but are unsure we will even be able to afford our rent and council tax in the following months as I think we only qualify for local housing allowance for a one bedroom house until baby is here. let alone pay minimum repayments on debts and basic living expenses.

We have our name down for cheaper housing but will be on the list for ages and are also on a 6 month contract in this house can leave in 3 months

This is really stressing me out.

I know that once baby is here I will get child benefit of 20ish a week.

Is there anything else we can claim in the meantime or after if my partner is still not in work

Spendless

Would you qualify for the Surestart maternity grant?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/expectingorbringingupchildren/dg_10018854

bonehead903028402

Hi ye thanks have already looked into this and if we are both not working by the end on November we can apply for this.

BigAunty

Get expert (and free) advice to manage the debts for you and your partner. See the Debt Management info on the Direct Gov website and post a SOA on the Debt Free wanabee board (they will tell you how to do this). They will help you devise a strategy where you either get the debts written off or pay back a token sum from your benefits.

Yes, you don't qualify for the 2 bedroom LHA rate until the baby is born. Your landlord doesn't have to release you from the current contract but there's no harm in trying to negotiate an early surrender if that's what you wish.

For baby's goods, post a wanted message on your local Freecycle/freegle/freeshare, Gumtree Freebie website(s) and keep your eye out for 'offers' posted on them.

You can identify your current benefit entitlements on the Turn2us online benefit calculator.