Maternity Grant for Part-time worker?

Freebie_Hunter_2

I've just dicovered that I am pregnant (a little miracle as I was told I would never concieve due to medical problems, I thought that 10yrs of using no contraception confirmed that too!) and have been looking at a sure-start maternity grant.

I'm on a low income (about £118 a week) and thats topped up with Housing. The thing is, it appears that thse grants are only available to people on benefits (basically those who dont work!) which is what they class as low income.

Great considering most people on benefits take home more than I do!

I wondered if anyone knows of any grants or funding for people like me? Or maybe they have qualified for a sure start grant whilst in part time work?

shiprob195

Congrats on your impending motherhood!

I am due to give birth to my second in the next 2 weeks.
I worked part time ( £83 pw), we are on working families tax credit for our other child. My husband is on quite a low income ( £12K)
We qualified for matenity allowance ( 90% of wages for 39 weeks)
and Sure start grant (£500) because we are on the higher level of WFTC.
If you wait and apply for the grant till after the beby is born, then you will prob be on the higher level, depending on what you partner earns.
you can apply until the baby is 3 months old.

The direct.gov website is very good

Js_Other_Half

Congratulations!!!!!

Freebie_Hunter_2

Ship, my partner and I don't live together (funny circumstances, but it works for us!) and its my first so i dont know if they'd take his wages into consideration.

It's all new to me!!

Money is the main worry as the pregnancy was, quite understandably, unexpected!

Js, reading your footer, looks like congrats are for you too!

alwaysskint96

If you dont live together then they will class you as a single parent so his earning wont be counted.

GHowever if you claim Income Suppoert after the birth they will chase him for maintence

liney

And you would need to declare any money he gives you, lest you be committing fraud. Very important that.

Scarlett1

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

Ship, my partner and I don't live together (funny circumstances, but it works for us!) and its my first so i dont know if they'd take his wages into consideration.

It's all new to me!!

Money is the main worry as the pregnancy was, quite understandably, unexpected!

Js, reading your footer, looks like congrats are for you too!

congratulations on the pregnancy :T

are you going back to work after the birth ? im not sure if you will be entitled to Income Support as you wont technically be a single parent as you are married and obviously together still together just not living together, you should be able to get the sure start grant

Freebie_Hunter_2

We aren't married & i would like to go back to work eventually or id go stir crazy!

Claire_Jones_3

The sure start grant works on household income, I'm due in August and our household income is about £27k per year (both working full time). My Mum said we should just qualify for the grant based on income (she works for job centre). Best to double check with job centre, Citizens advice or maybe your midwife may know

demonicangel

Claim for the grant after the baby is born, and you are claiming tax credits.

You will most likely get it as you have a very low income.

You can only get it before the babies born when on benefits or already have a child and get the required amount of tax credits.