Students and Maternity pay?

humanshield

Hi everyone, i need some advice!

My partner is expecting in 9 weeks, and we have just had a letter stating that she is not eligible for Maternity allowance, which was basically going to be all the money she would get for 6 months while off with the baby.

However, I am struggling to find out what, if anything, she would be entitled to.

Has anyone on here had a similar problem? She has been a student since August 07, and prior to that worked full time for a couple of years.

We really can't live on just my wage, we are barely getting by with her grant and my income, so this is going to be a struggle! (I'm sure there will be another post this weekend in the Debt Free Wanna-be section here!).

Is there anything she could be entitled to that we dont know about? I'm finding it hard to get a lot of information about people in similar situations and what can be done.

jai_2

You will be entitled to working and child tax credits after the babe is born and you might even be entitled to the working tax credits now if you are over 25 and working 30 plus hours per week. She should be able to apply for the surestart maternity grant £500. Otherwise only other possible benefit now or after the birth is housing (If you rent|)and council tax benefit.

lkmc01

we were in same situation for 5 months. did not get anything before baby born. had to live off student free overdraft. When baby is born first apply for child benefit at £18.80 a week, then child and working tax credits, then you might get £500 surestart grant if you are earning little but you must wait until you get the child beneft and tax credits or your application will be denied.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_012152.pdf

We were living of my partners £190 a week in a rent one bedroomed flat (although the council said it was two as we had a cloak room) so couldn't get housing benefit or council tax money. (we had to pay full council tax.)

I hadn't worked because I had been to college and then to full time uni.

I tried to work until labour but no one would employ me. Can you get help from any family?

Budget very well. When I was 8 - 9 months pregnent (2005) myself and partner wre living on £15 a week food budget, but couldn't really afford anything as money this was my student free overdraft.

you only have 3 months after the baby is born to get the £500 sure start grant you will need to get a big move on with the child benefit and tax credits. bear in mind they can be weeks getting it all back to you. I sent my partner out with the child benefit form the day I gave birth to get the ball rolling.

Good luck!! - your going to need it

lkmc01

more info -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/family_matters/finance_entitlements.shtml

timnicebutdim_2

Have you tried Incapacity Benefit?? This is from the link below:

"If you do not qualify for SMP or Maternity Allowance then you may be entitled to Incapacity Benefit."

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/ni17a/cannot_smp_ma/