Pregnant Single and work Full Time-advice please!

trush09

Hi

So I am newly single, pregnant and I currently work full time. I earn approx £17000 per year and have a mortgage. I am very stressed at the moment...not only is my maternity pay at work very low but what do I do when the baby is born? Do I give up working as child care costs are about 12000 a year? I've never claimed in my life and I know I could be eligible for help but then what happens to my home..? And what help could I receive.

Just some background I'm in my twenties have no family near by and the father of child is a student.

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you

LunaLady

You will receive child benefit, and once the baby is born you can apply for tax credits, these will cover some of the child care costs.

Look at the benefits search on http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

BigAunty

Are you sure your childcare costs will be £230 a week? Have you looked into how much a childminder may cost rather than a nursery and days when your ex isn't studying and can look after his child - does his college/Uni have a creche, can his family help with the child care?

Other posters will tell you how child care costs are met through tax credits, otherwise look it up on the HMRC tax credit website.

Can the student study part-time and start earning so as to avoid his child becoming homeless by your property being repossessed?

You can put the scenarios into the Turn2us online benefit calculator (before and after baby). Any maintenance you receive from the father is on top of your benefits and won't affect them.

The Shelter website has a section for struggling homeowners - how to avoid arrears and repossession, the various schemes to prevent repossession (support for mortgage interest, mortgage rescue), how to negotiate with lenders.

You can download the MSE budget planner and this will also help you determine if you need to sell the property and move into rented accommodation.

trush09

Hi

He's tried for 3 years to get a job but it's not happening. I've helped fill out applications helped with interviews etc and he must be on about 20 waiting lists so wouldn't rely on that anyway..

Not too sure about childcare costs that's an estimate based on friends circumstances.

I've used the turn2us calculator strangely it seems I would benefit more working part time than full time..how odd. If I worked 20 hours it would mean more income than 30...

dseventy

Hi Trush

Have you had a chat with him about how he will meet his obligations as a father?

He needs to get a job and pay for his child, whilst he is doing that he can help save money by proving childcare. He will need to discuss with his uni how he can continue his studies while providing childcare.

His family is a good suggestion, try and surround yourself with a support network.

D70

BigAunty

trush09 wrote: »

...

I've used the turn2us calculator strangely it seems I would benefit more working part time than full time..how odd. If I worked 20 hours it would mean more income than 30...

Yes, that's sometimes the case for certain households and is a reason why the benefits system is under criticism for not incentivising people into employment, compounded by the impact of child care costs, travel expenses to work, high housing costs.

Do double check your figures, though.

A lone parent only has to work 16 hours to qualify for working-tax credits, for example, whereas a single person without dependents must work 30.