Somebody please help me.

kerrywayne

Hi,I'm really stuck and need some help. I'm 25 and disabled and pregnant. My partner is 23 and just started working 36 hours a week. I get incapacity benefit of £61.35 and my partner's wage is £5.50 per hour. I've just been told we don't quilify for tax credits because Wayne is only 23 and not disabled, so we are really poor! I have a lot of debt from last year, as I was working then, but got sacked for being ill. The worst thing is - I've just been informed that I can't get the maternity grant. This has nearly just killed me, as we have nothing for our baby that is due in June. No cot, moses basket, pram, car seat, clothes, bottles, nappies, blankets, baby bath etc etc. I'm so worried and nobody seems to help. I don't know what to do. Please can someone give me some advice? Thanks

Zara33

Kerry firstly remove your email addie you will get spammed!

You will get tax credits when the child is born, not sure about the maternity grant but again i would personally wait until the last minute and reapply.

kerrywayne

Thanks. But I have nothing for the baby at all.

bestpud

Firstly, you can get the maternity grant when the baby is born. It isn't brilliant I know, but they really don't need much in the first few weeks.

You can get the necessities together really cheaply if you shop around. There is a thread on here I am sure about what people felt were necessities for a baby. May be worth a read.

Also, some shops will allow you to pay over a period of time for big items - that's what I did.

How long have you got to go?

Have you had a look at the other boards on here as well, for advice on getting your outgoings down etc. The debt free wannabe board may be useful.

kerrywayne

Hi,Thanks - I'm going to try Argos for credit etc, but I have a rubbish credit rating! I'm 22 weeks. My baby is due 7th June, but I just wanted everything ready. I think we can claim tax credits when the baby is born, which should kick off my eligibility for the maternity grant, so at least I could pay back some credit if i manage to get it! Thanks.

Kazzajr

Easier said than done but please do not get into debt, you should be able to budget for the things you need on your income.
Have a look for the essentials you need, you do not need to buy everything for when you first have your baby e.g there is no need to buy a moses basket if you are already buying a cot as your lo can sleep in this from birth, I bought a swinging crib and my ds never slept in it so it was a waste of money.
I got my cot 2nd hand it was a cotbed and cost £50 and was like new, ds slept in it till he was 3 although I bought a new mattress.

tanith

Check out Freecycle lots of people like to see their baby stuff go to a good home....

svmitche

There are some really detailed threads on here about what you will need and what you should not waste your money on - just do a search for 'baby' or 'baby stuff' and they will come up.

Freecycle is great for clothes and some bigger items if you get in there quick.

Join all the baby clubs you can (see below - I sent to my cousin who is pregnant) and you will get coupons for shopping and baby items and some free samples etc which could help you - they are only little things but they do add up in the long run!

"There are loads of clubs to join on the web - they will try and send email newletters, but once you join they also send stuff through the post. The best one is Boots Parenting Club. You need an Advantage card, but if you join the club they will send an occasional magazine with little coupon books - one of which is a double points coupon on all baby purchases, but also a coupon for a free changing bag if you buy a pack of Pampers.

The others ones I know of are:

Pampers (Printable vouchers and through the post)
http://www.pampers.co.uk

Huggies (Printable vouchers and through the post)
http://www.huggiesclub.com/uk

Hipp Organic (Post coupons and free samples)
http://www.hipp.co.uk/

Milupa-Aptamil (Postal coupons and free stuffed polar bear)
http://www.milupa-aptamil.co.uk/

Cow and Gate (Postal coupons)
http://www.cowandgate.co.uk

SMA Nutrition (Free DVD and coupons)
http://www.smanutrition.co.uk/

Tesco Baby and Toddler Club (Need a Clubcard, but free to join - free introductory pack and vouchers)
http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/btc/

ASDA are doing a Big Baby Event until 27th Jan with loads of baby stuff with money off, nappies, push chairs, feeding stuff etc etc. I think it's all on the website.

My friend had a baby in May and she said that you get some coupons while pregnant, but if you fill in the due date on all these things they really bombard you with coupons and samples after the birth."

bestpud

kerrywayne wrote: »

Hi,Thanks - I'm going to try Argos for credit etc, but I have a rubbish credit rating! I'm 22 weeks. My baby is due 7th June, but I just wanted everything ready. I think we can claim tax credits when the baby is born, which should kick off my eligibility for the maternity grant, so at least I could pay back some credit if i manage to get it! Thanks.

Oh gosh! No, I didn't mean places like Argos! Please don't do that - there really is no need and you will end up in further strife!

What I was talking about are smaller shops (but choose one that has been around a while and has a good reputation) which will allow you to choose a pram and then will put it by while you pay for it over a period of time.

I did this for the prams I have bought (one for older children and second for my youngest as there is a 10 year gap between them) - I chose them and then paid over the course of my pregnancy. They delivered once it was paid for and were quite happy to do so after the baby was born as they said some people are supersticious (sp?) about it! I had mine delivered before though as I needed to know it was there.

Freecycle is a great idea - especially as you have loads of time to gather stuff.

Don't into debt as believe me , you will need all the extra money you get to pay for what you need at the time - you do not want to be using it to pay off old debts.

Besides, if you can just get the bare essentials before he/she arrives then you can shop once the grant comes through and you will be shopping for your baby rather than an anonymous bump - iyswim.

dmg24

Hi kw,

I'm not sure where you are but if you are in the area, there are a few places I know of in Nottingham that may be able to help you. Some smaller charities have provisions for those expecting, and I agree with bestpud, many smaller shops will let you put items aside until you are able to pay for them.

If you are able to tell us where you are near, even if it is just the region, hopefully we'll be able to find you somewhere more specific to your needs x

hm71_2

kerrywayne wrote: »

Hi,I'm really stuck and need some help. I'm 25 and disabled and pregnant. My partner is 23 and just started working 36 hours a week. I get incapacity benefit of £61.35 and my partner's wage is £5.50 per hour. I've just been told we don't quilify for tax credits because Wayne is only 23 and not disabled.

Hi, try having a look on www.entitledto.com I think you should be entitled to something. obviously I don't know your housing position etc.. but I would put all your details in and see what happens. I think wayne should get some working tax credits- approx £20. Is he claiming as single or a couple? Don't panic about things for the baby yet. We have a small shop round here that allows you to pay off weekly so everything is done when the baby arrives. I know this because my sons friend is doing it at the moment. allow a weekly budget and pay x amount off buggy/cot and then buy 1 other thing a week like a pack nappies/ babygros. you will be surprised how quickly things build up.