18 yr old sis got herself up duff, how much income support and child tax credit?

[2babesmum]

Hi, my sister is 18 weeks pregnant. I have sorted the housing forms for her as she's on her own so obviously will need to be housed. I realise she'll get her rent/council tax paid for her and she'll get £57.45 lone parent benefit and child benefit. But how much child tax credit will she get when the baby is born, (I've found out it'll be more in the first year)? Am asking because she's worried she won't cope - bit late in the day to panic though! Any lone parents with 1 child out there willing to disclose?

The 500 quid is a grant that only lone parents on benefit get think its caaled a surestart maternity grant & u can claim it from 29 weeks.

110 is from child tax the rest is lone parent benefit & my child benefit. so all together i get 200 a week, last post bit confusing. U do get more for a child under 1 but that extra stops just before their 1st bday.

Hello

I don't know if this will help, but I am a single mama (NOT lone, I have lots of friends thank you!!) I have one son, who is 2.

I work and I get £133 a week tax credits. This is made up of child and working tax credits.

I also get the stsndard £70 (or thereabouts!) every month Child benefit.

So, if your sister is able to work (even a little) she will find that the benefits are HUGE. You can basically earn almost double if you do more than 16 hours a week. She could get a weekend job in a pub, or a shop once the baby is born? I am sure with a supportive family like it sounds you are, she will be able to find babysitters.

Alternatively, if she needed paid childcare, she could get a childminder. Mine costs £50 a week (2 days) and I get £35 a wek back on tax credits as the 'childcare element'. So i can pay childcare and still earn a decent amount for a days work.

I hope everything works out alright, good luck to your sister.