How to fund your life when baby in SCBU?

[Frizbe]

This may seem an odd question, certainly one I've never thought of until recently, as my cousin is in a real dilema.
Baby has probs and is in SCBU, cousin and dp are lodging at hospital for the forseeable future.
They have no money.....cousin is on gov std maternity pay from social, as had just moved to differnt part of country whilst pregnant, as dp was supposed to be doing a one year college course (now deffered) with grant, which they were both going to live off, as next year he'd have qualified as a teacher......they've been to the social and told as they're not available for work, they can't have any money what do you do???

I don't think there is anything they can do except work. her dp at least could get a job surely?

Most employers would consider giving you some time off for compassionate leave, but it probably wouldn't stretch to more than a week or so

They will have to get a job - one of them - or return to college if it isn't too late

I hope the baby is out and thriving soon xxx

could one of them maybe get a bit of temp work at the hospital for a few hours here and there?

could they ask to speak to somebody in the hospital 'charitable funds' dept, and find out if there is any fund already based there that can help them? our local hosp has this charity (link to page of parents' support

what an awful situation.

to be honest he should just say that he IS available for work but ujst faily to find any or act like an idiot in interviews

it's not difficult

cant they go onto income support? if he signs on jobseekers then he will claim for her as well.only he will have to look for work though and you can drag that out really while the baby's in hospital.they want you to look in paper etc for jobs each week and look like you're making a bit of an effort but with the baby in hospital im sure you'd get abit of slack.id make sure they sign on in the town where they're saying at present or see about income support or getting signed off work on stress etc because of the hospital situation.wouldnt normally recommend these things to people but understandably at the moment they need to do whatever they can to survive and need to be together for each other to get through this.

I agree with mumandlovingit. Sign on, say he's looking for work and make a half hearted effort for the next few weeks....hundreds of people live this way for years! I know a few of 'em.
Hope the baby is home soon though Friz.

completely agree.cant imagine what they must be going through.its bad enough with a baby in hospital let alone in SCBU.i wish them all the best and hope the baby is well and okay to come home soon.
can they not transfer closer to their home? would that make things easier for them or is that the closest hopital with the equipment needed for the baby?
all the best.people live off the government for years without a good reason, tell them to do it whilst the baby is in hospital.they shouldnt feel guilty.the government are suposed to be there for people in need as they are.im sure they'll get themselves sorted properly once the baby is at home.

Hi. Sorry to hear about your cousin's baby. I don't know if they qualify,but it might be worth them getting in touch with these people Family Fund . When dd4 first went into hospital we made an application and they awarded us some money to help with travel costs and living expenses. (We live about 40 miles from the hospital she was in).
Good luck and hope it helps.

Oooo thanks Catj, that might be very useful

Mum&lovingit, unfortunately no... they're as close to home as they can be at the moment

How awful for them. Of course her dad wants to be around his DP and DD at this time

Can Bliss help at all? www.bliss.org.uk

Also they need to speak to the patient services at the hospital who might be able to offer some advice