SMP and benefits - Any Advice please?

[tessofthedurbervilles]

I will only get SMP (a whole £117 pounds a week to knock myself out with) is there anything else available while I am on mat leave as I am currently planning the shortest ever mat leave....(think cord cutting at desk) xx

not as far as I know. depends on your circumstances though i woulkd imagine,.

theres a means tested maternity grant - it's £500 and a one off payment.

ooh actually there is that other £190 too isn't there? if the baby is due after 6th april

child tax credits?

I heard about the grant which will be really useful (ebay here I come for 2nd hand gear!) but the CTC I am not sure about....there is a lone parent advisor who works in the jobcentre but I always worry I am wasting their time as I am technically employed.

You are still a lone parent, give them a ring.

if you're not already claiming benefits you won't get to speak to a lone parent advisor.

I tried to when I split with exH, but had to be claiming IS before I could speak to one of them

oh fgs.
that will be like the time we trooped to the job centre because our mate had lost his job to apply for Job Seekers Allowance, at the job centre, you know, and got sent away, with a phone number to ring someone(probably in the job centre)

Yes isn't it just great?!

incredible.

You can also claim housing benefit if you rent. You may be eligible for healthy start vouchers if your income for the year is low.