Single Mum on maternity leave from uni - what would I be entitiled to?

ABetterLife

tomtontom wrote: »

Sell the phone, put the sim in a cheap phone. You're still going to be paying for the contract but you'll be able to pay off your debts, get them out the way before baby is here.

An iphone is essential to no one. In a few weeks time the last thing on your mind will be apps and emails!

I hope I don't sound ungrateful/difficult but I really wouldn't do that. I need emails coming straight to my phone as I don't use my laptop that much and need access to emails while out. Plus I use the camera (and will be even more when she's here) and apps a lot. I just can't see myself selling the one thing I use the most and enjoy, especially if it means paying £57 a month for the next two years without being able to enjoy the benefits!

I don't think my situation/debts are that dire yet. Thankfully they're still quite manageable. I've been doing fine up until now, it's just been rocky because of the month of no work and this interim period of my life/finances changing.

ABetterLife

blondebubbles wrote: »

The threshold is £26000 for one child although you won't need to declare your bursary, only your employment income.

Don't know a great deal about maternity allowance. Have you tried looking at the gov website about it?

Ok wicked!

However, I won't be working while on maternity leave. Can I still apply?

Yep, I've already read up on it, but they don't seem to say anything about if you're a student so I wasn't sure.

ABetterLife

Poppie68 wrote: »

I know some people seem to think babies cost an absolute fortune but they don't have too...depends if you have expensive tastes or not and if too proud to use 2nd hand clothes etc...i think buying alot of baby stuff new is an absolute waste of time. Ask at Uni if anyone is interested in a baby stuff swap.

I don't mind using second hand at all. Most of her drawer is full of second hand stuff. I've bought her a lot of clothes too, just because it's nice to have some new stuff and some stuff are really nice but a lot of it is second hand

I don't really need anything else now, just a proper breast pump but the darn things keep going up on eBay because of all the other people bidding.

bloolagoon

ABetterLife wrote: »

I don't mind using second hand at all. Most of her drawer is full of second hand stuff. I've bought her a lot of clothes too, just because it's nice to have some new stuff and some stuff are really nice but a lot of it is second hand

I don't really need anything else now, just a proper breast pump but the darn things keep going up on eBay because of all the other people bidding.

I got mine free from my HV. I paid a deposit but the pump was free.

ABetterLife

blondebubbles wrote: »

You don't need to work to claim child tax credits. I've gave you the amount you would be entitled to on a previous post.

Think the best thing for you to do is just to call and speak to the relevant departments.

Apologies!

ABetterLife

bloolagoon wrote: »

I got mine free from my HV. I paid a deposit but the pump was free.

I didn't know they gave them out! What one did they give you?

bloolagoon

ABetterLife wrote: »

I didn't know they gave them out! What one did they give you?

It was an ardo one. I loaned it and had to give it back I wasn't given it.

ABetterLife

bloolagoon wrote: »

It was an ardo one. I loaned it and had to give it back I wasn't given it.

Ah, okay. I'll ask my MW if she knows about this then

ABetterLife

blondebubbles wrote: »

No worries, there's a lot of posts with a lot of information. CAB can be a good source of information if you've got time to go there?

Defo!

I think I may go there tomorrow if I can.

aimeemum

ABetterLife wrote: »

I didn't know they gave them out! What one did they give you?

The hospital should have a hire service. I think my friend paid £2 a week for hers. Not sure what type/model. Midwife/HV should definitely be your port of call there.

You do right with going 2nd hand with most things.....I've got 3, and the 2nd hand stuff I bought for DS1 is now cladding DS2 and DS3 quite well, and still has life in it!!! only things I don't do used are shoes, socks and pants lol.