Universal credit and pregnant

Mumtobe29292929

I am so confused by universal credit and all of this. I can’t even use the entitlement calculator online due to the rates section

calcotti

In that case your entitlement at the end of the first assessment period will be less because your baby will (probably) not have been born. If this is the case your UC payable may well be nil because of your earnings. Because of this your UC claim may be closed but you will be able to log in to your UC journal and do a rapid reclaim which is straightforward.

huckster

Here is a link to a Northern Ireland advice site.

https://www.housingadviceni.org/welfare-reform/universal-credit-northern-ireland

Northern Ireland benefits can differ a little bit, so best to get local advice.

calcotti

sineadmaried wrote: »

I am so confused by universal credit and all of this. I can’t even use the entitlement calculator online due to the rates section

If you ignore the rates section that shouldn’t affect the amount of UC entitlement calculated. The rate rebate scheme is separate from UC. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/applying-rate-rebate

https://www.housingadviceni.org/universal-credit/working-out-universal-credit
You are currently entitled to a basic allowance and a housing element. After the birth you will be entitled to the basic allowance, housing element and child element. As far as I can see the bedroom entitlement rules in NI are similar so as mentioned above the housing element may increase after the birth https://www.housingadviceni.org/universal-credit/how-much-housing-help

If you have spoken to a benefits adviser they really should have talked through the before and after entitlement with you.

Rubyroobs

sineadmaried wrote: »

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

Is the £908 including the child element ? If you private rent, the amount you will get will depend on the local housing allowance for your area.

Rubyroobs

Rubyroobs wrote: »

Is the £908 including the child element ? If you private rent, the amount you will get will depend on the local housing allowance for your area.

Sorry crossed post with Calcotti.

calcotti

OP, you said that you will be paid on 15th February. When were you last paid and what date did you submit your UC claim?

Mumtobe29292929

I believe the 908 is what I was advised I would get when not working & with a new born and as a single mother. Including the rent element. I could have been advised wrong so I might give them a call tomorrow and double check on everything.

^^ I get paid monthly and got paid on the 15th of jan. which I was paid then for the 30th nov - 30th dec which is the way the pay cycle works. Planning to finish work on the 30th Jan so I will be paid on the 15th Feb for the 30th dec - 30th jan of you get me.

I think I am more worried that the pay I get on the 15th Feb will have to last me and baby which is due on 23/02/20 until UC is decided and first payment is given (this is where I believe UC is a nightmare for people from what I hear) normally this pay will do me and is more than enough but obviously I will have a little person not just myself! :-/

I will try the benefits calculator here again but it was confusing me at the rates section I pay to a private landlord and rates are included in the 565 rent I pay

calcotti

What date did you submit your UC claim?

If necessary you can request an advance payment https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/universal-credit-advance-payments. However this is a loan repayable over12 months so reduces your future payments.

If your rent is inclusive of rates the rate rebate scheme is probably not relevant to you as you are not the person liable to pay the rates. However I am not familiar with NI rules.

Mumtobe29292929

Just on Wednesday there.