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Original poster

Universal credit 3rd baby.

28 replies

MissAmy90 · 26/02/2020 19:05

Hello this is my first post so im unsure where to post this. Here's a lil background.
So im a single parent of two plus I'm a career for my autistic son , i am 25 weeks pregnant with baby number 3. Please dont judge this was not a planned pregnancy and im not with the father due to personal issues, my children are my top priority and ive decided im much better off on my own (multiple reasons) and dont want to be with the father.
So back to the question do i have to let UC know im pregnant? I havnt yet as im not in the looking for work category and have no commitments as im a career now im wondering should i ?or do i just wait until the baby is born .
Also how do i add a new baby to my claim ehen its born and what happens after that?
Im not sure it matters because i wont receive anything for a 3rd child anyway but i want to make sure i know what to do because im already overwhelmed i cant imagine how all over the place my heads going to be when i actually have the baby and try arrange everything and report to everyone.
Thanks in advance

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datasgingercatspot · 26/02/2020 19:09

So the father's not going to contribute to support his child at all? I think you should speak to your adviser because you should be able to get Child Benefit, no? No additional UC but might be able to get CB?

AnotherMurkyDay · 26/02/2020 19:11

I would just let them know ASAP because they can be funny about you not telling them changes (even if it changes nothing). You can still get child benefit

DrSheldonCooperPHD · 26/02/2020 19:13

I have 3, let UC know you're pregnant - you won't get 3rd child payments from them but will help towards childcare if needed. You can claim child benefit for a 3rd.

yatapina · 26/02/2020 19:16

HMRC guidance

Queenofheartsnomore · 26/02/2020 19:27

So is it just child tax credits you don't receive for 3rd child but you still get child benefit?

AnotherMurkyDay · 26/02/2020 19:37

@Queenofheartsnomore

Yes the child is still entitled to all the usual benefits if the family are financially eligible (child benefit, pupil premium/free school meals, childcare through universal credit, 2 and 3 year funding for nursery, healthcare, dentistry, prescriptions etc.)

yatapina · 26/02/2020 19:40

Total aside but am I right in thinking that there was a 2 child limit on Child Benefit at one point or maybe it was just proposed?

I'm sure I remember uproar and now I'm confused!

AnotherMurkyDay · 26/02/2020 19:44

The uproar was about tax credits and universal credit I think. They did make changes to child benefit but they were income related (income over £50k)

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 26/02/2020 19:49

He will help with the child . Its just i dont want to be with the father as it just doesn't work.

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yatapina · 26/02/2020 19:52

Ah, that's it. Thank you @AnotherMurkyDay. I was confused when nothing came up on Google!

@MissAmy90 sounds like you're doing the right thing backing away when it's not working and glad he's stepping up as a Dad.

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 26/02/2020 19:57

Ok so i tired to add a change to who was living with me on my online uc account i tryed to put in the due date as the date for the change but wont let me do that so i guess ill wait till babys here ! Still wondering about having to tell them im pregnant as i have anxiety and cant be ashed with being questioning about how im single and pregnant as it not nice to go through i done the at the midwife and felt like a failure of a person and ended up crying my eyes out ! I dont want to have to deal with it until its absolute necessity.
Thanks again

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Original poster
MissAmy90 · 26/02/2020 21:02

Thank you for saying that i never know if i am doing the right thing or should i be trying for the kids sake .

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Istical · 26/02/2020 21:09

Could you just add a note to your journal to say you're pregnant and is there anything you need to do with regards to your UC claim? I know I always got a fairy prompt reply when I asked something on mine. Do you get a higher premium for under 1s on UC?

hunz · 26/02/2020 21:11

When I put my pregnancy on my uc account a few years ago I'm 99% sure it's listed under the illness category 🤨 then you can select pregnancy. They will need your matb1 form too so you need to let them know.

AnotherMurkyDay · 26/02/2020 21:43

@hunz

Your right yeah I was trying to remember what I did but I had to put it under illness because you don't have a journal in the same way (and no work coach) if you aren't being expected to look for work.

@MissAmy90

You absolutely are doing the right thing. If it doesn't work now then adding in all the stresses that come with having a new baby is not going to Make it work any better. I went through my last pregnancy on my own and I did feel like I had to justify having a third child and having a third child as a single parent. My baby was not planned and the timing was terrible, but he is amazing and from the moment he was born I knew I had 100% done the right thing. He is the light of my life (and of everybody else's he comes into). Literally the sweetest natured child. I do not feel the need to apologise or justify having a third child now (on my own!)

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 07:54

@AnotherMurkyDay when you say you had to justify yourself did they ask you alot of questions? Im just really scared to tell them for some reason .Thanks

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Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 08:57

Why do they need the matb1 ? Did anything happen after you reported the change? Do you remember? Message on journal, pone call?

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Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 08:58

@hunz

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AnotherMurkyDay · 27/02/2020 09:28

@MissAmy90

Universal credit didn't give a shiny shit it was just paperwork. It was me who felt like I was being judged and had to explain my circumstances. Don't think the midwives were interested either. But I found myself constantly feeling like I should be apologising for or justifying my situation, I don't feel like that anymore.

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 09:40

@AnotherMurkyDay
Thank you so much ive heard so many horror stories that they will investigate me ect. for adding another child to my cliam while im claiming as a single mother im just scared they will stop my money because if they did me and my kids would be screwed .

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hunz · 27/02/2020 10:21

@MissAmy90 nothing happened until they wanted the matb1 then I had a message on my journal to book an appointment to take it in. I'm not sure why they needed the matb1 as I wasn't claiming for maternity allowance or anything like that. If I remember rightly I think she said it was to prove the pregnancy, my massive belly wasn't enough 😂 then when baby is born you can change on your journal who's living with you and you'll need to book an appointment to take in birth certificate.

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 10:53

@AnotherMurkyDay so they didnt question you about your relationship staus at all? Thank you , you have really put me at ease , i dont have a matb1 form i didn't think i needed one so ill have to get that sorted first i guess!

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PumpkinP · 27/02/2020 11:18

I had an interview under caution once for having another child whilst single. It wasn’t too bad and money wasn’t stopped. I’m pretty sure that on UC you can claim as single even if you are married/have a partner but they are not living with you anyway so I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think UC expect you to be celibate cos you’re single.

AnotherMurkyDay · 27/02/2020 11:55

@MissAmy90

They just asked me if I was single and I said yes.

Original poster
MissAmy90 · 27/02/2020 17:05

@PumpkinP thats what im afraid of im just not stable enough for that kind of stess!

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