pregnant student and unemployed - what benefits and help can i apply for?

sam_star86

Hi everyone! i am about to enter my final year at uni and am also expecting my first child in november! i just want to make sure i know what i am entitled to, can someone help me with what benefits i can apply for? i live with my partner whos self employed and only has a small income. can i apply for jobseekers to help as it seems hard to get a job anyway over summer never mind when you tell them you are pregnant also! i was working until a few months ago so know i can apply for maternity allowance later on. is there any help now? thanks

TheWaltons_3

Is your partner over 25?

He could be claiming Working Tax credits if he is on a low income, self employment irrelevant.

When you have the baby, you can claim Tax credits. You can claim up to 70 or 80% childcare costs so that you can finish Uni.

You will be entitled to a Maternity allowance of up to £500 (I think it is that much)

On a low income, and as parents... you will be entitled to a fair amount of benefits/tax credits.

Congratulations by the way.... children are brilliant!

sam_star86

thanks 4 that advice, thats really helpful!! do you know if we can apply for housing benefit as we currently live together but the house has become too expensive for us since i left work, and we are searching for a cheaper property and applying through housing associations etc but not getting anywhere so far! ?
i cant wait to meet him or her, tho i am really scared about giving birth!!

TheWaltons_3

sam_star86 wrote: »

thanks 4 that advice, thats really helpful!! do you know if we can apply for housing benefit as we currently live together but the house has become too expensive for us since i left work, and we are searching for a cheaper property and applying through housing associations etc but not getting anywhere so far! ?
i cant wait to meet him or her, tho i am really scared about giving birth!!

got to

https://www.entitledto.com

Type in all your details and it will tell you what you are entitled to!

Let me know!

Becles

Check your dates for Maternity Allowance. You need to have been employed for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and have been earning over £30 a week to qualify for it.

If you've got the 26 weeks, then the MA payable will be 90% of the average of 13 weeks pay (so pick the weeks with the highest pay!).

Once baby has arrived, apply for Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. Apply for these once baby is born. WTC will be payable if OH earns less than approx £15K. CTC will be payable if he's on less than approx £60K

If your OH is on less than approx £25K, you'll be entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500. However you'll need to get the Tax Credit award sorted before you can apply for this, and you must apply before baby is 3 months old.

TheWaltons_3

Becles wrote: »

Check your dates for Maternity Allowance. You need to have been employed for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and have been earning over £30 a week to qualify for it.

If you've got the 26 weeks, then the MA payable will be 90% of the average of 13 weeks pay (so pick the weeks with the highest pay!).

Once baby has arrived, apply for Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. Apply for these once baby is born. WTC will be payable if OH earns less than approx £15K. CTC will be payable if he's on less than approx £60K

If your OH is on less than approx £25K, you'll be entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500. However you'll need to get the Tax Credit award sorted before you can apply for this, and you must apply before baby is 3 months old.

Sorry for any confusion... that £500 I was referring to was the Sure start Maternity Grant and NOT Maternity Allowance!

I really should be more exact when I post!