Single Parent Entitlements?

[BirdBrain85]

Hi all,

I'm single and pregnant with my first baby, due December.
I earn under 30k and will be entitled to 2 months full pay and 4 months half pay + SMP. I also have a mortgage (if that matters). I've run my finances through a benefit calculator and it seems to suggest I could get additional help while I'm on maternity leave in the form of Universal Tax Credits.
Just wondering if anyone knows if this is really the case, and how it works? E.g. Do I only apply when my work mat pay runs out or earlier?

Thanks in advance!

You could apply when the baby is born. Under the tax credit system ( which universal credit is replacing) you would initially have been turned down but may have qualified for some help on reduced maternity income. I'm not entirely sure of the thresholds for Universal credit but you probably would get some help on your lower maternity wage and with childcare costs when you go back to work. if you have savings over £16k you can't claim Universal credit. Maintainance payments from your baby's dad aren't counted at the moment with UC.

Thank you Babyroobs that's good to know! Find it all quite confusing when I access the websites. I think you're right and I'd only be entitled once my mat pay drops, which would be absolutely fine of course.