I amm pregnant - i need advice on ESA

HB58

'MoreRosey' I think that you have been mislead by the term 'Employment Support Allowance'. Despite its name, this is not something that helps people who want to find work. Paradoxically, it is actually a benefit for people who have been deemed unable to work due to sickness or disability.

MissMoneypenny

FBaby wrote: »

For your interest, I have spent many years in school. I made the choice to be university educated and gained experience before deciding to become a parent. This was rewarded with a salary that made it worthwhile working. Even when I became a single mum of two toddlers, I continued to work full-time. I am now a higher tax earner. It was worth it!

I didn't realise there was another poster using another variant of the username FBaby. The FBaby I am thinking of told us she worked for the council; was a single mother from an EU country; claimed benefit/benefit top ups; complained that her tax credits and child benefits were stopping as her partner was high earner and that she didn't think that should happen as he wasn't her childrens' father.

Huh..well fancy that. I always thought that was you.

FBaby

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

I didn't realise there was another poster using another variant of the username FBaby. The FBaby I am thinking of told us she worked for the council; was a single mother from an EU country; claimed benefit/benefit top ups; complained that her tax credits and child benefits were stopping as her partner was high earner and that she didn't think that should happen as he wasn't her childrens' father.

Huh..well fancy that. I always thought that was you.

mmm, not sure where you got the above. If it is me indeed, there are quite some errors there, things I would certainly never have written, so either you are confused or there is someone else with similar yet different circumstances.

Saying that, not sure how the two statements contradict each other.

Mossop93

I'm going to resist the urge to throttle people, take a deep breath and stay calm..

OP - You have come across as rude and demanding, possibly you haven't meant to. But unfortunately instead of apologising and asking/offering further details you've told people to "go back to school". It doesn't matter whether you said that to two people or twenty, it was still uncalled for.

You asked what you were entitled to now you're pregnant again - You were told nothing. You had an answer and continued to complain about ESA.
During pregnancy the only entitlements are free prescriptions, free dental work, milk tokens and income support/JSA where necessary. Please go to/phone Citizens Advice or Job Centre Plus to find out if you're entitled to any of those since you have an income via your partner.

You asked what you're entitled to once the baby is born - You were told Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit will go up. You still continued to complain about ESA.
After the baby is born you will get Child Tax Credits, Child Benefit and possibly milk tokens and free prescriptions. Again, confirm with Citizens Advice.

You can get support for going back to work if you follow links that have been posted, google or ask in your local Sure Start Centre. When my son was 1 I did a course via Sure Start and there was a free creche for him while I was in "lessons". Our Sure Start does everything from Maths to Gardening Theory.

ESA isn't contribution based. Sorry, but there are two ESA's. One is contribution based but the other is income based. It is then divided into two more groups.

One that is work focused - helping those that have been too sick to work/have special work requirements get back to work. For example you've been unable to work due to damaging your leg and needing surgery and physical therapy.. You'd go on work focused (which can be contribution based or income based) and see an advisor as you would on JSA BUT their job is to help you fix up CV, work out what jobs you can/cant do, what courses you may need to take to bring skills up to date.

Then there is the Support Group (again can be contribution or income based) and they are the ones that will never work/not anytime soon. So terminal cancer, needing a full time live in carer etc.

(For anyone that says that's wrong, sorry but I'm not. I spent all of yesterday discussing ESA changes with the Job Centre Plus as both me and my sister are on it - I'm temporary while they fix my meds and my sister is permanent due to severe mental health issues meaning she struggles to take care of herself and cannot be left alone).

OP - We have therefore answered your questions. You should consult Citizens Advice and/or Job Centre Plus if you have more questions.

(Although you never answered ours about whether this baby was planned or how you plan to afford child care when you can't afford it already..)

To sum all that up - You're not entitled to ESA, your money will not change until the baby is born, you may be entitled to free prescriptions and dental work and there are support groups available for single/married/engaged mothers looking to go back to work or learn new skills.

stevemLS

MoreRosey wrote: »

This is a forum. I have the right to ask questions about benefits. If my questions slightly change so what? I am unaware and don`t have much understanding of the benefits system therefore I opened a new thread. Anyone can choose to give me info and if they don`t they don`t need to. It`s great your doing well and I get inspired by people who do well. You say I am accusing posters. Of what have I accused? If I am asking questions about benefits and adding that mothers should get support (while finding work - getting in to work programmes) and if some people are not understanding this and making an opinion about me - obviously there is a misunderstanding by some readers. Why does my question(s) rattle peoples cages. It is normal for a person to ask questions and gain knowledge.

But is in receipt of Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit - suggests a passing familiarity?

deeplyblue

Anyone following this topic might find this leaflet, called "Babies and Benefits" useful:

http://www.welfarerightsforums.com/uploads/3/0/1/9/3019934/babies_and_benefits.pdf

db

mikey_bach

To be honest though is Employment Support Allowance the best name for a sickness benefit?

Its name depicts that if offers support in Employment. Its predecessor Incapacity Benefit which itself replaced Invalidity Benefit were both self explanatory in comparisson

Wonder What the Goverment should have called it?

If the OP worked for ten years prior to having her first child, couldnt she at least not give that employer a ring after the birth of her second and see if she can have her old job back ?
And why didnt she go back partime after the first?

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

I have 3 children a partner and work a full time job, I was working before all 3 pregnancies so I got mat allowance. After my 3rd the job centre told me they saw no point in me working. I decided to help myself get back into work and pay £212 in chilcare per week which as it happens my ctc and wtc just about covers this leaving us to live off our full time wages which is not far off minimum wage but fine for us. 9 out of 10 women are better off working. At one point due to our childcare we were no better off me working then when I stayed at home however my family have benefited from me working as it boosts my self esteem and nursery is beneficial to children, my oldest is top of his year and I believe this is due to his early education. Good luck.