PhD student with new baby, can we claim any benefits?

PGTSTUDENTHELP

Hi,

I am currently very confused as to whether or not me/my partner will be able to claim any means-tested benefits in the future - the online calculators are very good but do not work for us as I am a student (postgraduate) - this is our situation:

I am currently on maternity leave from my PhD, I receive a student university stipend of ~ 14 k, my partner currently works and is paid ~ 16 k. I am needing to go back to studying at the start of next year, because of this my partner will need to leave work to look after our son. This will equate to having only my stipend as income. (We also receive child benefit of £20 per week)

If anybody is able to offer any advice this would be greatly appreciated!

tboo

PGTSTUDENTHELP wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently very confused as to whether or not me/my partner will be able to claim any means-tested benefits in the future - the online calculators are very good but do not work for us as I am a student (postgraduate) - this is our situation:

I am currently on maternity leave from my PhD, I receive a student university stipend of ~ 14 k, my partner currently works and is paid ~ 16 k. I am needing to go back to studying at the start of next year, because of this my partner will need to leave work to look after our son. This will equate to having only my stipend as income. (We also receive child benefit of £20 per week)

If anybody is able to offer any advice this would be greatly appreciated!

Why does your partner have to give up work, can you not get any help from a minder or relatives etc
Do you not get child tax credits?

Is your area a full Universal Credit area? - as child tax credits and working tax credits may have to be claimed via this, also housing costs if any.

Feyfangirl

It may also be worth checking to see if there are any other bursaries/scholarships you can get

PGTSTUDENTHELP

Hi, we moved to our current area for me to do my PhD and unfortunately have no family in the area otherwise this would be an option for us.

tMy student stipend/bursary is not taxable income so I'm not able to get any tax credits - I also think my area has recently moved into universal credit area from a quick online search, I am going to go to my local citizens advice to hopefully get more help with this.

Ineededaname

You can apply for universal credit. It's hard to say what you will get (if at all) without knowing all the circumstances.

Worth applying though?

LilElvis

Why would your partner give up work as childcare is not going to cost the equivalent of his net salary?

PGTSTUDENTHELP

From what we've looked at Childcare would cost the majority of his salary - which would then leave 3 people living on just my student stipend, I don't see how we could do this feasibly.

pinknsparkly

I think you might be putting yourselves in a risky situation if your partner gives up work and you then don't find a job immediately once your funding runs out (or need to take some extra time, without any income, to write up). Unless you have a pot of savings to tide you over?


I would start by speaking to your university about what financial help they can offer - I'm almost certain there will be SOMETHING there that you can tap into, even if it's only a one-off grant to pay for some start-up baby costs.


Will you definitely not be any better off if your partner works and you put your baby in childcare? Keep in mind, that once your baby turns 2 you will be entitled to some hours of free childcare which will massively help.

pinknsparkly

Sorry, I missed your post as I was writing my reply!


I understand your point about three people living on your stipend if you put your child in childcare, but you'll be in that situation anyway. By your partner working too you will hopefully have a little extra income, plus a guaranteed income once your stipend runs out. How far through your PhD are you? If you are near the start, and can afford to live on your stipend, then perhaps he could stay home until baby is old enough to be entitled to free childcare and then they could get a job well before your stipend runs out. If you're towards the end of your studies then I would be wanting your partner to continue working, even if for the time being they'd effectively be bringing home nothing, to ensure that you had an income when your stipend finishes.

clairec79

Is there any way that your partner could work around the hours that you need to be studying? I know a PhD is considered to be the equilivant of a full time job and you are expected to put in those hours - however are they set in stone which hours? so could your partner work while you have the baby and they have the baby whilst you work/study

Mrs_Soup

A lot of PhD students work as well as study. My university specifies a maximum of 20 hours per week but if some of that is teaching (do you get the chance to do any teaching) that can be quite lucrative and helpful experience for job hunting later. What subject are you studying in- do you have to be on university premises eg for lab work all the time or can some of your study be done at home or in the evenings? Is there the option of going part time for the remaining period of study. How far into the degree are you?