Where do I start

[ConfusedMum08]

I'm leaving my partner
He's been messaging other women

I'm 4 months pregnant and and have an 11month old
I stopped working when found out about my second pregnancy
I own my house, solely
I have no saving
I get no help from the government, currently

Where do I start?

Firstly get rid of the loser it is your house. Secondly have a look at Entitiled to then make a claim for child maintenance for your child and be sure to update them when the second one arrives. Is there any chance of you going back to work?

He got 2 weeks to get his stuff together

Right, going do that now

It will be a while before I can go back to work, due to childcare costs
I don't have qualifications for a highly paid job.

£706

How much is your mortgage?

£160, really low, mg bills are all quite low

Possibly a stupid question, but are you claiming child benefit? There was a thread recently where a lot of people didn't seem to know about it.

If that's £87 a month, yeah I get that

Put in a claim for universal credit as a single parent which you are because they relationship has ended.

You would only get £579 a month Universal credit until your second child is born. I would try to look for a part time job. Could your ex look after your child at the weekend while you did a shift or two of casual work?

This is assuming you are over 25.

Is your ex Woking? If so you need to apply for child maintenance through the CMS asap. How about a supermarket job? Sainsburys pay really well and lots of supermarkets are taking on Xmas staff, can your ex not look after his child whilst you work?

Hi OP - as you stopped working when you discovered your second pregnancy and you are only four months pregnant - could you go back to that job? Did you enjoy it, and might they agree to flexible hours?

You may be entitled to quite a bit of help with childcare if on a low income. Sorry I don't know how to link.

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs

Oh that sounds stressful for you.
Despite what you may feel, you will probably find you are in quite a manageable position financially once you are sorted. You own your own home with low outgoings.
I would do the following -

• Contact Gingerbread telephone support - they a fantastic at signposting to help for single parents, both financially and in other ways.They will have up to date information on the best way to proceed.

• If you agree to your ex living at your house for two weeks, charge him a reasonable rent and bills for that time.
• Put in a claim for UC straight away - if you and your ex are no longer a couple, you might be able to claim immediately even before he has left.

• Claim the single persons Council Tax discount as soon as your ex leaves the home.
• Put in a claim for Child maintenance.

• Put in a claim for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.
• If you have recently stopped working you might be able to claim the Maternity Allowance as soon as you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start up to 11 weeks before your baby is due.

• Apply online for the Healthy Start Vouchers - you should be entitled to these already as you have a child under a year old.
• Check your entitlement to free prescriptions, eye tests, dental care - I think you will qualify for all of these.
• Apply for the Warm Home Discount from your energy provider. The applications are just coming online for some companies (this is different to the energy rebate as it is dependent on receiving certain benefits). You will receive your discount sometime before March 2023.

• Register with your Gas/Electric and Water company as a vulnerable customer. If you are a single parent and have children under 5 you will be added to their registers for priority in terms of possible power cuts.
• Ask your internet provider about a discounted social tariff - many offer this but tend to keep quiet about it unless you ask - it is much cheaper than standard rates.

• Ask your midwife what help is available - they will have the latest information for this. Also ask for a referral for a food bank parcel if you need it -( many offer free nappies and milk in their parcels).
• Ask if there is still a SureStart Centre in your area and find out what support they can offer.

• Investigate to see if there is a Credit Union in your area. These are financial co operatives run by their members and offer low income households small savings and borrowing facilities. If you save small amounts with them when you are able, you will become eligible for small loans (should you need them) at very low interest rates which commercial lenders do not offer to low income applicants.
• I would ignore any well meaning advice to 'get a job' for now. It may well not be in your best financial or emotional interest to do so whilst you are coping with everything else.