Me and my worries: this time money / Incapacity benefit and afterwards?

[Zauberfee]

Hi, me again. Now I am worrying about money when I have to take time off work for baby. I am not qualifying for SMP or MA; but I know that I can get Incapacity benefit. Has anyone got experience with that? How long can I get that for and what to do afterwards? I understand that I can?t get Jobseekers as partner is working; but he is not earning hugely. Does anyone know what the best way is to get the most out of benefits and government help?
Thanks?

Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau, or your local council should have a money and welfare advice unit. They should have a good idea about what you could be entitled to. Good luck!

i think you can only get incapacity benefit for 6 weeks... and i thought it was only if you had a problem like SPD or something? but may be wrong!

bear in mind you will get child benefit and child tax credits. you may also be entitled to working tax credits

Do u get any WFTC ATM, when i left work to have DS@ i was getting WFTC and applied for a Sure Start Maternity Grant and was given 500 quid from the government, check out this link , maybe you could apply for it if you are entitled to it!

HTH and GL with new arrival!

mummy23, did you go on income support or jobseeker's allowance to get the grant? I thought that that was one of the conditions...

Nope, Zauber. The Sure Start Grant is for those who are getting, or whose partner is getting:
-Income based JSA
-Pension Credit
-WTC which includes disability or severe disability element
-CTC at a rate higher than family element - £548/annum+ or £1096/annum+ for child under one

So by all means apply if you or your partner meet one of those criterion!