Pregnant University Student - Partner on Low Income

kay159

My daughter has just turned 21. She currently lives at home whilst at University and has just found out she is pregnant. Her dad isnt aware at the moment but will definitely not want her or her partner staying with us once the baby is born
She goes into her final year around the same time as the baby is due and would like to continue and complete the year rather than delaying if at all possible
Her long term partner works albeit on a low income of around 16k a year
Currently she is in receipt of a student loan of around 5k and receives DLA for a neurological condition which she uses to supplement her income (due for reassessment this year so would rather not be reliant on that until the new rate is confirmed)
Obviously she would have to reapply for student finance shortly but how would the forms be completed - would she have to base the application on living with us or base it on where she will be living once the baby is born (private rented accommodation)
I am totally confused about the help that is available and the student loan application process for pregnant students. Because of the medical condition there is a possibility of complications along the way and as such stress is the last thing my daughter needs. Its not what she wanted right now but as it may be her only chance to be a mum she wants to continue with the pregnancy
The benefit calculators out there dont seem to help or work for people in her situation
What income is taken into account, what help is available and what benefits are available to help her through. It seems to be that working tax credit and housing benefit are out of the question if she continues to complete her final year
Any advice would be fantastic
Thanks

Darksparkle

Benefits would depend on whether she lives with her partner or not.

Guest101

I'm pretty sure as joint applicant WTC would certainly be available, HB possibly.


I have some concerns which you may wish to address/discuss or ignore.


1: How confident are you they would get private rented accommodation? - If I was a LL I'd be hesitant renting to a young couple, with a low income, a baby on the way and with one being a student with no savings.


2: The medical condition, is it at all possible that social services would be involved?


3: you mention long term partner, but at the age of 21 how long term could he be? I'd be concerned that she's left, literally, holding the baby. - perhaps you need to make some back up plan arrangements for this (which is where your husband may be of help?)


That aside. The student loan, is by it's definition, not an income. A wage is not a loan, and a loan is not a wage.

pmlindyloo

There are too many options to answer any of your questions. Much will depend on where she will be living whilst pregnant, whether she will continue with her studies, whether she eventually lives with the father of her child.

benefits available will depend entirely on her situation.

The very first thing she needs to do is contact the university.

Here is a link from one university that explains the different options available at their university:

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/student-services/documents/Student_pregnancy_and_maternity_-_information_for_students(1).pdf

kay159

They have been together 3 years - Whilst I understand concerns about age, I do feel it slightly unfair to differentiate based on her age. Would you feel differently if she was 30 years old with a partner of 6 months for example?
They would be living together. Rental in our area is not an issue as they have some savings to cover any bonds due
Social Services would not be involved in the sense of her ability to look after the child. She has an illness affecting pain responses, blood pressure and heart rate but this has been the case since 12 and she has managed to study full time and also worked part time for some of the time
Of course I worry if she could be left holding the baby. We have had a long talk about options and she is well aware that nothing in life is guaranteed - especially the fact that she may not even be able to carry this baby in any case but she has made the decision to progress with the pregnancy
With regard to the student loan I had read elsewhere that this would be classed as income if her partner made a claim for CTC and WTC
Has anyone any idea who would be best placed to offer a definitive answer on what help is available
I commend her for not wanting to give up her studies and to continue with the degree and hopefully work and support herself in a years time

Darksparkle

Income to include for tax credits is confirmed on the gov site - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-credits-working-out-income#other-income

As you can see, student loans are not included.

Based on what you've said they'll be entitled to tax credits. On £16,000 with one child that would be approx £80.30 per week.

Plus child benefit of £20.70 per week.

DLA isn't means tested so no affected by living with a partner.

Can't help wth housing benefit or council tax sorry.

Guest101

kay159 wrote: »

They have been together 3 years - Whilst I understand concerns about age, I do feel it slightly unfair to differentiate based on her age. Would you feel differently if she was 30 years old with a partner of 6 months for example? - Yes, because she has gone through her 'mad 20's ' and matured into an adult. She has tried life out, had multiple partners and knows what she wants.
They would be living together. Rental in our area is not an issue as they have some savings to cover any bonds due - You seem to miss the point. A LL doesn't 'have to' rent to them. But if supply really does outweigh demand (which i'm sure it does somewhere, but its rare) then fair enough
Social Services would not be involved in the sense of her ability to look after the child. She has an illness affecting pain responses, blood pressure and heart rate but this has been the case since 12 and she has managed to study full time and also worked part time for some of the time - Fair enough. Was just checking as 'neurological condition' could mean anything.
Of course I worry if she could be left holding the baby. We have had a long talk about options and she is well aware that nothing in life is guaranteed - especially the fact that she may not even be able to carry this baby in any case but she has made the decision to progress with the pregnancy - I just mean that would you be in a position to assist practically should that happen? Presumably the BF / partner is also young?
With regard to the student loan I had read elsewhere that this would be classed as income if her partner made a claim for CTC and WTC - But she would be making the claim? So she would put his wage as partners income. Her income would be a loan.I'd double check, but I'd be surprised
Has anyone any idea who would be best placed to offer a definitive answer on what help is available
I commend her for not wanting to give up her studies and to continue with the degree and hopefully work and support herself in a years time

I agree it's great if she/they manage it, I'm playing devils advocate a bit mostly to highlight the risks.


Were it my child, these would be my concerns

Mojisola

kay159 wrote: »

She goes into her final year around the same time as the baby is due and would like to continue and complete the year rather than delaying if at all possible

Because of the medical condition there is a possibility of complications along the way and as such stress is the last thing my daughter needs.

It doesn't sound as if she's being very realistic about the situation.

She needs several 'what if' options in place, depending on how well everything goes.

Poppie68

Her student Welfare Officer will be able to help and advise her, my daughter was 21 when she had her little one and has coped fantastically... Women have been giving birth for ever at a young age, age doesn't necessarily give you maturity... Anyway if she speaks with the Uni Welfare Officer they will be able to help.

Cheeky_Monkey

Does she have someone already who is prepared to look after the baby while she completes her final year at Uni?

kay159

Its very early days and came as a big shock. Only myself and her bf are aware of the situation atm. I am trying to have as much information to hand as possible to help them make sense of things. Personally I am very shocked and wish things had happened differently as I am sure she does too and at the moment I dont think the relaity of the situation has hit them. I really want them both to be aware of the massive responsibility they have and the amount of strain it will place on them as well as the rewards it will bring. Im quite numb at the moment as it all seems so unreal but she is quite mature if not self-sufficient
I relly dont think not going ahead is an option they want to consider but I do want the best for them all hence the questions. I can only help out in a limited capacity so it really is a case of bad timing, albeit that hundreds of people are in similar situations too