Pregnant and in a bit of a tizz over benefits.

Shabbychic23

I'm in a bit of a tizz, I'm pregnant again by my daughters father we tried to work things out but it didn't work and we split up then I found out I was pregnant :T

I'm in a bit of a tizz as I currently live alone & obviously get single parent benefits. My midwife told me I'm entilted to be claiming healthy start vouchers but the thing is I'm too scared to claim a thing against my pregnancy in case the job centre stop my benefits to investigate me for my pregnancy because obviously I've had a partner who's got me pregnant even though we never lived together he owns his own home.....and now we've split up (again).

Are they likely to do this? I'm in a slight panic as I'm due soon and I can't pay my rent/ two children on the child support their dad pays me. I do get DLA for my mental health illness' but that still isn't going to cover me if they did this.

Also obviously my children are going to have the same dad even though we broke up we're still amicable I am wondering if giving them the same surname will land me in hot water!?

It's all a bit stressful for me as my heads in a spin over it and I'm loosing sleep over it and even contemplating not letting them know about my new child because the fear they will just cut my benefits off and the fear of what will happen to me and my two children.

rogerblack

In order to be a couple for IS/JSA/ESA - at one point you have to have been sharing a house together - and have the intent of doing so again.

Having children with someone, or even marrying them - does not count, if you have never shared a house.
As said above - may you be investigated - yes.

Icequeen99

rogerblack wrote: »

In order to be a couple for IS/JSA/ESA - at one point you have to have been sharing a house together - and have the intent of doing so again.

Having children with someone, or even marrying them - does not count, if you have never shared a house.
As said above - may you be investigated - yes.

OP that is correct for the benefits listed but not for child tax credit. You don't have to be in the same household for tax credits to be considered a couple. It depends on lots of factors. For married people they are a couple from the date of marriage even if they maintain two separate households. For those who are not married, it is of course easier to show you are single if you have two separate households but if there are any financial links then it may get picked up for investigation. As may the child's surname.

IQ

Caz3121

Shabbychic23 wrote: »

he owns his own home.

In an earlier post you mentioned that he used his dad's address to keep his stuff and stayed with you 2-3 nights a week.
Owning your own home paying council tax, mortgage, bills etc is different from using a parents address the latter is likely to get more focus on whether you should have been treated as a couple for the last 2 years whilst you have been "back together" but living apart.
Does he have anything registered at your address eg car insurance?

Shabbychic23

He purchased his own home this March. The main reason we lived apart while we was 'back together' if you could call it that was because I have severe mental health illness and needed to be close to my parents, he couldn't move in here obviously as he had his own mortgage and I couldn't move there as I would of lost my care team/Dr's surgery and at the time and I still am underneath the community mental health team's.

He has nothing here, why would he, he hasn't paid a penny towards any of my bills or anything the only payment that goes in my bank from him is child support once a month x

supermassive

I think you're looking into it too much. Unless they're suggesting a pre-natal paternity test, there's really not much they can do.

von

If you're receiving Income Support as a Lone Parent you need to let the DWP know that you are pregnant when you are within 11 weeks of your date of confinement. You will also need to notify them again when the baby is born and give them the name and date of birth of the baby. They will arrange an interview with you after the baby is born to clarify your situation.

From what you have said there is no reason for them to suspend your Income Support payments unless you fail to attend any interviews they arrange.