Advice pls maternity pay/benefits/financial etc

big bear

A bear on a mission!
I need some advice as to what to do.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant.

I started a temporary part time (30 hrs pw)job through an agency on 8th December 2009 which will end at the end of July.

Here are my questions:

When this ends do I go on to maternity benefit?
Which benefit would I be entitled to?
Do I apply now?
What else can I do as I'm sure no one else will take me on even temporary if I'm roughly 28 wks pregnant?

I'm married and my husband works full-time.

I'm really worried as all our bills/mortgage/debts we need at least £1400 a month this is even before we buy nappies/food etc & my husband earns just about this, but the government seem to think we earn too much to get any help with housing/council tax etc

We aren't entitled to working tax credit (which I'm surprised about)

We only get £40 per mth child tax credit for my 18 mth old

I've looked at direct gov website but am totally confused.com so if someone who knows can give me some help

Help - I'm so worried as it's not long till the end of July.

Oh and we can't take a mortgage break/hol as we are fixed term & they wouldn't help us the last time when my son was born

Any suggestions?
 
Hi there big bear. Firstly congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm not an expert but I run the payroll for a nursing agency and have had to deal with a few maternity pay queries. For those that are in permanent employment you can claim SMP from your employer. But if you don't qualify for that then you can claim Maternity allowance from the government which at the moment is a standard weekly rate of £124.88 for a maximum of 39 weeks. You can claim this allowance as soon as you reach 26 weeks and onwards. Best thing to do is speak to the Jobcentre plus as they will be the people you need to contact to claim the Maternity allowance and get all the forms and things. I'm sure they will be helpful and be able to explain what you will be entitled to etc. Hope that helps a bit, it sounds like you would be entitled to something I'm sure. All the best :)
 
Congrats!!
Don't forget to redo your child tax credit once the baby is born as you may be entitled to more, especially if you are not working.

Your Child benefit will increase too which will help a little.

Definitely check out your local Citizen's Advice Bureau who are fab with making sure you are getting what you are entitled to! :)
 
Hi hun, i think as you are in temp work then you will only be able to claim maternity allowance not SMP. As for the working tax credits you have to earn less than £16,000. We are in a similar situation, my partner works in sales so some months can have good pay other months we have to scrape by on £1000! We are only entitled to £20 pw child benefit and £21 pw tax credit as again the goverment thinks we earn enough but after paying for the house and debts etc we have very little to live on. Ive stopped buying pampers and not use asda own brand or any other. My advice stock up on wipes, nappies (not just new baby but size 2,3 etc) when there are baby events and offers. However ive just read that you have a 18month old so you probably already know this xxx
 
Hey Hun, Congratulations. First of all don't panic the stress will not do you any good. All the advise you have recieved so far is correct. You will be able to claim maternity allowance from 26 weeks and definately get into contact with tax credits as soon as baby is born in order to change your claim. I would approach your mortgage company even thought they would not help when you were expecting your last baby they may be in more of a position to help you now. Its definately worth asking as at the end of the day they can only say no.

i hope that all goes well with you and your family and if you need any more advise just pop on here! x
 
Thanks everyone really appreciate the advise.
 
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