Part-time, Pregnant and Isolating.

skyews0

I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant and only work part-time. As of last night pregnant women have been advised to cut all non-essential contact and travel. My employer is currently looking at me working-from-home but until then I can’t go into work. 

I’m not entitled to SSP as I don’t earn enough per week so I’m kind of at a loss. I’m in the process of beginning a Universal Credit claim as I intend on leaving work before giving birth but have to verify my identity in the Jobcentre before I can claim. I’ve asked about alternatives to going into the Jobcentre and whether I can verify my identity a different way (online is not possible) and was told to phone back in 24 hours. 

I’ve seen mention of those not entitled to SSP claiming new-style ESA but was wondering whether I’d be entitled or how I go about doing that. I really can’t afford to go 12 weeks without any income at all. I live at home with my mum but have a phone bill to pay and a DMP, in addition to saving up for a baby.

What is the best course of action? Any advice would be great.

Caz3121

new style ESA will be based on you having made sufficient National Insurance contributions during the last 2 full tax years (17-18, 18-19) were you working and paying NI then?

calcotti

If earnings in 2017 to 2019 were similar to current earnings then will not qualify for new style ESA because the NI threshold is the same as the SSP threshold.

skyews0

Caz3121 said:

new style ESA will be based on you having made sufficient National Insurance contributions during the last 2 full tax years (17-18, 18-19) were you working and paying NI then?

I’ve always worked part-time so I don’t believe I’ve ever earned enough to pay tax or NI.

skyews0

calcotti said:

If earnings in 2017 to 2019 were similar to current earnings then will not qualify for new style ESA because the NI threshold is the same as the SSP threshold.

Is Universal Credit my only option then? Just hoping they can sort this quickly as I’m not able to claim until I’ve verified my identity online.

calcotti

skyews0 said:

I’ve always worked part-time so I don’t believe I’ve ever earned enough to pay tax or NI.

There's a difference between paying NI and being treated as having paid NI. Currently the threshold is £118/week. Above this you have a right to SSP and will be treated as having paid NI.

In 2017-2018 the threshold was £113 and in £2018-2019 it was £116. If you earned over these amounts you could qualify for new style ESA. Bear in mind however that any ESA is deducted from UC. If you rent your home and want help with rent you are going to need to claim UC anyway.

If you are part of a couple then your partner's income will affect your entitlement.

TELLIT01

Until a decision on working from home is made, is it practical for you to work in an area away from other staff?  An used office perhaps?

skyews0

TELLIT01 said:

Until a decision on working from home is made, is it practical for you to work in an area away from other staff?  An used office perhaps?

I work in a very small office so it’s literally one room with 3 people in at any given time. 

calcotti

You should also look at Council Tax Reduction from your local authority.

tomtom256

A bio question appointment will be booked for you over the telephone. Official guidance has been released today to all DWP staff, however there may be issues with getting a telephone appointment, as many staff have underlying health conditions and jobcentres will be running on minimum staffing.