Benefits with a preemie in hospital?

Nicole11

Hi all
I am looking for some guidance on if I can still claim benefits for the child and for me (classing myself as a single mother) if my baby is in hospital.

He was born at 25 weeks meaning very premature. I had to be induced due to very serve pre eclampsia which could have been fatal for both of us. Luckily it wasn't and he is doing ok in hospital, however he is not expected to be out until late February possibly longer.

I am a single mother, my ex partner emigrated to Australia so we broke up before I knew I was pregnant, he says he will support me financially. He has made contact and says he will start payments when the baby is home with me, totally inconsiderate considering he didn't contribute to any baby clothes cots toys or pram and I have spent my savings on baby items. Even when he does start paying it will probably be around £5 a week.

I was working full time as a legal receptionist, however I took so much time off when I was pregnant (was extremely sick had high blood pressure and serve anemia was hospitalized on many occasions from 10 weeks) My firm didn't fire me, I quit. But I quit because I felt under immense pressure to quit. Everytime I did come in (despite being very ill) I was given 10 times a normal workload and it felt like the boss was doing it to pressure me to break down and quit, I was also subject to bullying about my time off. Everyone was aware of the pregnancy and I provided medical notes when I was off but I quit and I am going to an employment tribunal soon. I can not go back to work currently as I am still extremely sick, I planned to take a year on maternity leave anyway so finances previously wasn't an issue but now it is as I can't work (been said be a doctor)

So when I lost my job I moved back in with my mum which isn't ideal as there is not much space, luckily I have housing benefit sorted and I have a flat that I am moving in to next week. I do claim sick benefits due to the inability to work now and I get income support. I was just wondering if I can still claim child benefit and tax credits with him in hospital?

Tigsteroonie

I'm not sure how the amounts would compare but, if you were working in the last year, you might be better off claiming Maternity Allowance rather than IS.

Yes, you're entitled to CB and CTC. When you speak to HMRC, make sure you tell them that your income has taken a nosedive since the previous year, and ask them for a reconsideration based on current income rather than the previous year (which would be normal).

Are you getting Healthy Start vouchers?

You won't be able to use the Healthcare Travel scheme to reclaim the costs of visiting your child in hospital (only for your own appointments) but according to the NHS website, you might be eligible for a Discretionary Care Grant from your Council. We didn't use this, instead the NICU social worker helped us to apply for a fast-tracked grant from The Family Fund to cover our travel costs.

Remember to keep the Council informed with regards to the HB - you now have one dependent; but when you get CTC, some of it will be classed as income.

If your child comes out of NICU with any problems (such as being discharged on oxygen, which sometimes happens with preemies), think about claiming DLA for the child and then Carers Allowance/Premium for yourself.

All the very best to you. I've been there (our son was born at 29 weeks) and it's not an easy time. Take care of yourself There are preemie chat boards on both Baby-and-Bump and sNetMums, sometimes it can help just to offload.

eta. Oh, and Congratulations! A baby's birth should always be celebrated, regardless of circumstance.

northerntwo1

You need to inform them that your baby is in hospital for more than 12 weeks. My understanding is that they will then look at if you still financially support the baby and award based on this. It certainly could affect your child benefit claim - could not will, so when you claim inform them that baby will be in hospital for a long duration and what financial costs towards the baby.

I'm more familiar with the care rules but see this link

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-for-children-in-hospital-or-care


I hope baby continues to do well and congratulations.

rogerblack

Nicole11 wrote: »

I do claim sick benefits due to the inability to work now and I get income support. I was just wondering if I can still claim child benefit and tax credits with him in hospital?

You can't claim sickness benefits - if by this you mean ESA - and income support together.
(DLA/PIP are fine)

TELLIT01

If you aren't working, or are working under 16 hours/wk, you would have and entitlement to Income Support as a Lone Parent as long as any earnings were below the allowed limit.

tomtontom

keitht53 wrote: »

If you aren't working, or are working under 16 hours/wk, you would have and entitlement to Income Support as a Lone Parent as long as any earnings were below the allowed limit.

The OP says they are claiming sickness benefits. If they are in receipt of ESA they should not also be receiving IS.

Indie_Kid

Check with the hospital - where I am, if your baby is in NICU, you acclaim back parking costs.

stroptart

Make sure you make any claim for child tax credits as soon as possible as they can only backdate it for 31 days.
Do the calculation on the hmrc website as it saves time when you phone for the application form.