Confused about what I am entitled to claim

dora87

Hi

I had a baby on the 30th December and am currently being paid SMP via my employer. I completed the form for child benefit and sent this off along with my sons birth certificate.

I am not sure if I am entitled to anything else but here is the information I think you need to advice me if there is anything else I can claim.

I live in a shared house with 2 housemates. Our rent is £510 a month and both my housemates are employed.
I have worked in my current job since the last week of March 2012 and only qualify for SMP not company maternity pay. Prior to my current job I worked for 8 years in my previous job with no gap in between.

I am single, not married and do not live with a partner. I have a small amount of savings (about £2000).

I have no other source of income.


If anyone could advise me that would be great as I have no idea about the benefit system or if there is anything at all that I can claim.

Thanks in advance.

Gentile

Are you getting any child maintenance ? Sort that out first and make sure the chap pays what you are entitled.

zzzLazyDaisy

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

I am not an expert, and I am sure that someone will be along to give you more information shortly.

First have you claimed child tax credits yet?

Also try going to turn2us and putting your details into the benefits calculator

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

AFAIK the figure for 'rent' should be the LHA rate for a room in a shared house rate, if this is lower than the rent you are actually paying (you can get this from your local authority LHA page).

But now that you have a child you should also check out the two bed rate, in case you want/need to move to somewhere with more room or privacy.

Dx

Edit, good advice about child maintenance - see CSA website for the calculation. Also note that child maintenance is ignored for means tested benefits.