Having a baby but need help - what can I claim?

alvaz

Hi my partner and I are having a baby. I work full time £25k pa and she is self employed, currently earning around £21k, but she will need to stop working in a few months time as her work is physical (Carer) and hence won't receive any Maternity pay.

We live on the outskirts of London and rent privately, but I know that we will not be able to meet our overheads on my salary alone unless we move into a single room in a shared accommodation.

Other than Maternity Allowance which is something like £138.18 p/w, is there anything else we can claim? Child benefit? Tax credits? Anything?

I am at the point of a nervous breakdown wondering how I am going to be able to provide for my family.

FluffyDuck3

You might get some housing benefit while her income is suspended. Phone the council for the forms, get them filled in and sent off as soon as the household income changes.

Caz3121

You may be entitled to some housing benefit - this will depend on the LHA for your area. It will be based on the one bedroom rate before baby arrives then will change to the 2 bedroom rate. If it is a high LHA area you may get a little help

agree, try a benefit calculator as if baby already here

InsideInsurance

I know I will get flamed in response but isnt after your partner is already pregnant and getting ready to have the baby a little late for considering how you will actually afford it all?

FluffyDuck3

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I know I will get flamed in response but isnt after your partner is already pregnant and getting ready to have the baby a little late for considering how you will actually afford it all?

The purpose of the benefits board is to give advice. It's not about judging how someone ends up in a particular situation. I respect your right to an opinion, but this isn't the place.

themull1

Quote -

The purpose of the benefits board is to give advice. It's not about judging how someone ends up in a particular situation. I respect your right to an opinion, but this isn't the place.


That wasn't a judgemental quote from InsideInsurance - it was a simple question. Why would you get pregnant then realise you can't afford it. If people don't want replies - don't post on an open forum.

FluffyDuck3

It is judgmental. They can't turn back time and make different decisions. They are in the situation they are in now, and are looking for advice on how to move forward.

InsideInsurance

FluffyDuck3 wrote: »

The purpose of the benefits board is to give advice. It's not about judging how someone ends up in a particular situation. I respect your right to an opinion, but this isn't the place.

If you actually see what the site owners have decided to say are the keywords are for this section of the site you will see that they call it a discussion forum.

Discussions generally do include the expression of opinion though technically in my case I asked a question and you've implied an opinion from it.

FluffyDuck3

InsideInsurance wrote: »

If you actually see what the site owners have decided to say are the keywords are for this section of the site you will see that they call it a discussion forum.

Discussions generally do include the expression of opinion though technically in my case I asked a question and you've implied an opinion from it.

There used to be a sticky thread at the top of here, reminding posters.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/35308223#Comment_35308223

This board is about advice, not discussion.

There is no point discussing how someone ended up in the situation they are in. No amount of discussion is going to change it. It doesn't help the person that needs advice.

monty-doggy

I'm pg and my oh earns £23500 a year. With my mat allowance of £138 pw were not entitled to any other help so you prob will be in the same situation. No tax credits or anything. It's a bit rubbish but you'll just have to change the way you do a few things, I've come to the conclusion that millions do it on less than what we have!

duchy

alvaz wrote: »

We live on the outskirts of London and rent privately, but I know that we will not be able to meet our overheads on my salary alone unless we move into a single room in a shared accommodation.

.

I'm not sure many shared places would let a single room to a couple with a baby- too disruptive.
Would you consider moving further out-"outskirts of London" covers a vast area.
A lot of people in my area (Medway) pay around £600 or less for a two bedroom terrace (with garden) and use the local commuter coach to London (much cheaper than rail) . Moving area sounds a better option than a single room.
What area are you currently living in and what area do you work in ?