please help, advice needed

Iriahm

Hi, i'm normally found on the debt free wannabe forum but have been going it alone for a wee while and doing ok.

i'm back as its just dawned on me tonight that i haven't a clue how I am going to manage and i'm hoping some of you lovely folk can help.

i'm currently 8 months pregnant, had to give up work (temporary job) due to continued ill health and that pelvis is seperating, spine is twisting and i've carpol tunnel syndrome in my hands (feels like arthritus).

I applied for Maternity Allowance weeks ago but haven't heard a thing - does it normally take this long?

Doctor has signed me off and he said i'm eligible to claim incapacity benefit again (previously claimed in 2005/06 due to car accident and this is same injury coming back again) - can i claim this as well as Maternity Allowance?

entitledto.com hasn't been too helpful but was told on the phone from jobcentreplus that i can apply for Income Support - does anyone have any experience of claiming this with the 2 benefits above?

I planned on working right up until a fortnight before my due date but I honestly can hardly walk and typing this has taken an age due to the agony in my hands. My pregnancy has been so horrible I can't wait for it to be over and I didn't expect to have to have all this worry about money.

Its just me in the flat (and the cat). I believe i can apply for council tax and housing benefit and ask for a discretionary payment for council tax? Any idea's what this is likely to be if i'm sucessful? i'm currently 2 months behind on council tax (its £141 a month even with single person discount....paying for Edinburgh Festival)

thanks for any help/advice in advance

Ixxx