sister needs help!

fkelanne

My sister is 27 weeks preg, owns a home with the father of the child. He has dicided he doesnt want to be with her anymore (long story).
She works 24 hours a week, and pays half the mortgage and all bills as she is the only 1 living in the house (he has moved out and living with his mam at the mo).
Will she be albe to claim any benefits?
when will she be able to?
and can he still pay half the mortgage?
Also will she get the sure start grant?

stuckonthephonewithidiots

get your sister to use the link to get a benefits check up..also the cab are brilliant and will let her know all that she is entitled to.

fkelanne

ok thanks, will do.

dmg24

Hi fkelanne,

Once your sister has had baby, she will be eligible for Child Tax Credits, and unless she is dropping her hours to below sixteen, Working Tax Credits also. There is a calculator at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/index.htm specifically for tax credits, that tends to be more accurate than the one at www.entitledto.co.uk.

Assuming she will be returning to work, she will earn too much for Income Support, however if she is cutting her hours to below sixteen, she may be eligible. If she does become eligible for IS, she will get help with her Council Tax also (and eventually, mortgage interest payments). However, IS takes into account child maintenance payments, so even if she cuts her hours this make take her over the eligible amount.

Is she getting SMP from her employer? If so, it is unlikely that she is entitled to any other help until baby is born. If not, she needs to look at claiming Maternity Allowance.

The SureStart grant is dependent upon income, there is more information available here.

Unless she claims IS, he is fine to still pay half the mortgage without this money being taken into account.

She will of course be entitled to Child Benefit irrespective of income.

Anything else, just ask x