Universal credit and pregnant

Mumtobe29292929

Hi all

I’m 35 weeks pregnant and due on 23/02/2020.
I’m single & in full time employment. I just started this job in November (too good to turn down as it’s a job I’m able to come back into with a perm status after years of doing temp agency work!) not entitled to SMP. After weighing up everything I believe universal credit is the best option for me - been advised I am entitled to £908 a month to include rent - this with my Personal independence payment of 319 a month will be enough for me and baby to survive on ( I had a tumour removed from spine 3 years ago hence Why I’m on a disability benefit ) - May have further complications with birth and be able to claim sickness through UC after 13 weeks I believe. Not overally knowledgeable on the whole benefit system so really looking some advice on the following

- I finish work on the 30th Jan and I have applied for UC just this past week - I get my last pay on the 15th Feb, does anyone know if I will be denied it as I will be due this last pay package on the 15th Feb (monthly pay which will be about 1200) and if I am denied it do I have to start from scratch or can I just report a change of circumstances which will be me not working and due a baby a week later? Hope I haven’t made this sound to complicated. It really is something I haven’t much idea on.

I haven’t applied for Maternity allowance as UC seems the best option as the wait time for MA to even look into a claim where I live is currently 15 weeks plus

calcotti

If you receive £1,200 a deduction of £756 will be made from your UC entitlement (63% of the amount received). So if If your maximum UC entitlement is £908 you will still be due a payment of £152.

If you claim MA it will be deducted in full from the amount of UC you receive, although there is a pending court case on this https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/resources/test-case/maternity-allowance-and-universal-credit

Mumtobe29292929

Okay thank you.

So that deduction will just be for the first payment which is understandable as I’ll have my full wage. Then the following payment I will get the 908 a month ?

calcotti

sineadmaried wrote: »

Okay thank you.

So that deduction will just be for the first payment which is understandable as I’ll have my full wage. Then the following payment I will get the 908 a month ?

Yes.......

Mumtobe29292929

Thank you. For the quick response.

I am pretty clueless on this whole benefit system. ESA was much easier when I was of on the sick after my spinal operation. thankfully if there is a next time round I will be entitled to maternity leave at full pay for 8 months due to the permanent job status! Is there any more advice you can give me? I have heard about a sure start maternity grant but unsure if I can apply right now the NI gov website said I have to be on UC or working tax credits etc which I am not.

calcotti

You’ll be able to claim Sure Start Maternity grant once your UC claim is up and running.

Mumtobe29292929

Thank you so much!

calcotti

Once baby is born you will also be able to claim Child Benefit. You will also get an additional element (the child element) in your UC. The element will be included from the start of the assessment period in which the birth occurs (I assume that you have not included this in your calculation giving the £908 figure).

The amount of help you get with your rent may also change. If you are living alone you are currently only entitled to help for one bedroom. Once your baby is born you will be entitled to two bedrooms.

Mumtobe29292929

It was a benefits advisor who had advised me about this £908 over the phone. I live in Northern Ireland I believe the bedroom tax may be different here.

calcotti

sineadmaried wrote: »

It was a benefits advisor who had advised me about this £908 over the phone. I live in Northern Ireland I believe the bedroom tax may be different here.

Are you clear whether the adviser was telling you what you are entitled to now or what you will be entitled to after the birth - it will be different. The child element is £231.67/month.

Mumtobe29292929

It was after birth she had advised me on.