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Original poster

Am I really entitled to nothing?

104 replies

Alfayxo · 19/02/2019 10:28

Basically I went to citizens advice as I was confused as online calculators said I was entitled to nothing. They told me to go onto their website to “turn2us” calculator (already used it but that’s the only advice they had, helpful) which I did and it said that I’m entitled to zero. Not a penny. After the baby comes it is the 20.70 but that’s all.
Here’s my story:

So I’m now 25 weeks pregnant and on a PGCE primary course. Because of how my course works, I have to go on my maternity leave in two weeks (before my final placement). I’ve been applying for part time jobs but I’m visibly pregnant so people haven’t been hiring me (even though I have all the experience for these jobs and even though discrimination against pregnancy is illegal, it’s obvious why they do it). Due to my PGCE and final year of uni last year, I haven’t worked since end of December 2017. Therefore I know I’m not entitled to maternity pay or allowance.
I currently live with my fiancé with my parents. He earns (as of a week ago) 26,000. However, before he met me he got himself into a LOT of debt and therefore struggles with money and is paying off overdrafts and loans so can’t really support me as well as our baby. We only pay 200 rent at my parents and we are on the waiting list for a council house.

So can anyone tell me why I’m not entitled to anything? I’ve looked for part time work and can’t get any. I don’t really want to go into work STRAIGHT after labour but I know I’m going to have to as I can’t afford to live otherwise. I’m getting myself really run down stressing about it all.

OP posts:
Turquoisetamborine · 19/02/2019 11:07

You may be entitled to some universal credit once you move into your own place. Stick the figures into entitledto.com and see.

See if you can get any tutoring work now. Lots of kids needing extra help for SATS, GCSEs at the moment.

Original poster
Alfayxo · 19/02/2019 11:07

I have made NI but back in 2015-2016 when I had a gap year so a while ago now. Yeah my partner has been selling a lot recently! We lived together whilst I was at uni and because I was only on student finance he paid for rent, bills, everything himself which obviously didn’t help. Hence why we have decided to live with my parents until we get a house. That way my OH can try and get out of this debt he found himself in. He was just a very stupid kid back then by the sounds of it. He’s trying to get it all back together now, which I appreciate incredibly. Thank you for all the ideas and help!

OP posts:
Ellabella989 · 19/02/2019 11:08

Could your partner go on a DMP with stepchange? I had horrible debts a few years ago and did this and all the interest for each creditor was frozen and I only had to pay an overall monthly payment of £250 per month to cover all the debts. This made a huge difference as I had been paying about £1k a month on debts before that. Obviously it takes a lot longer to clear the debts but it made those 5 years so much less stressful. I’m now debt free and the DMP stuff has all been wiped from my credit record 6 years on

TheRiverIsAComfort · 19/02/2019 11:13

I second DebtChange. Go along, it won't cost you anything and could make things easier.

TheRiverIsAComfort · 19/02/2019 11:13

I meant Stepchange!

BarbaraofSevillle · 19/02/2019 11:14

Your partner needs to reprioritise how he manages his money. He first needs to support his family by covering your basic household expenses and use what is leftover to pay the debts off, not the other way round. WHat he doesn't need to do is struggle on for years with the debts, while neglecting his financial responsibilities to his child. If he has no assets, his debt is unsecured, and that's the risk that the lender takes.

If there isn't enough money, he needs to seek professional advice to see whether a debt management plan is appropriate or another solution.

NotANotMan · 19/02/2019 11:19

Whilst you are a couple you will need to claim as a couple. That means they will count your combined income and allocate any benefits accordingly. If your rent remains low with no childcare costs then child benefit is likely to remain all you will be entitled to.

NotANotMan · 19/02/2019 11:21

You'd be better off being a single parent. Look into claiming on your own

Unless they actually split up then this is benefit fraud and really not worth the risk. And if they do genuinely split up in order to claim more benefits now that's hardly going to benefit any of them in the long run Hmm

Eliza9917 · 19/02/2019 11:21

Your DP needs to move out out so you can claim as a single person until he's paid his debt off. Can he move back to his mums?

Lovemusic33 · 19/02/2019 11:22

If you get house you probably won’t be entitled to an help with your rent (housing benefit) because of your partners earning. I think for now you are better off staying where you are until he has either paid of the debt or he has sorted out a payment plan where he pays off the debt in smaller payments over a longer period of time.

sobeyondthehills · 19/02/2019 11:22

My partner earns a lot less than yours, I get roughly £140 a month, that includes CTC, CB, HB

So I doubt you will get much more, also for the sake of your own sanity I would look into private rent if you are crowded, depending where you are you maybe waiting years to get a council place as you are homed

NotANotMan · 19/02/2019 11:23

Your DP needs to move out out so you can claim as a single person until he's paid his debt off. Can he move back to his mums?

This is benefit fraud and really bad advice. Not to mention you are advising that the OP claims government financial support in order that her partner can afford to pay off his debts Hmm

SpanielEars070 · 19/02/2019 11:24

Getting financial help is only getting harder in this country, and you need to be realistic that a baby isn't going to make a jot of difference when you are adequately housed with your parents.

Hopefully by the time you are allocated somewhere, your DP will have taken on some evening/weekend work, and will have paid his debts off. You've made this lifestyle choice and it's being very unreasonable to expect the Government to step in and cushion you from the reality of it.

Bitchywaitress · 19/02/2019 11:25

He has to prioritise his family, not his debts. If this means they don’t get paid for a while so be it. Stepchange as mentioned above could help freeze interest etc.

This is of course assuming he has mostly consumer debt like credit cards, loans etc, not debts to the government or child maintenance etc!

Springisallaround · 19/02/2019 11:25

However, before he met me he got himself into a LOT of debt and therefore struggles with money and is paying off overdrafts and loans so can’t really support me as well as our baby

Well, he has to. His debts can be managed so you have enough to live on- phone the charities suggested and start him on a Debt Management Plan.

Whilst he is living with you, it's the worst of all possible worlds, as he's stopping you claiming as a single mum (as you are a couple) but he's not contributing massively to your joint income.

Noonemournsthewicked · 19/02/2019 11:26

notanotman key words were look into.
I was not recommending benefit fraud.
If he cannot support her then she may well be better off on her own.

NanFlanders · 19/02/2019 11:26

Is there any way you partner could reschedule his debts (I.e. lower payments over a longer timescale)? The CAB can be helpful I think?

BarbaraofSevillle · 19/02/2019 11:27

How much is a private 1/2 bed flat or house where you are? Council house/HA waiting times vary hugely accross the country.

Some places you might get one within a year, others, you'll be lucky to get one before the baby starts secondary school --or university-.

RomanyQueen1 · 19/02/2019 11:28

Your partner needs to sort out the debt whilst still supporting his child, like everyone has to do.
It's his responsibility, send him off to a debt advisor who will work out what he can afford to pay, whilst still being a responsible grown up.
otherwise, rent somewhere as a single parent and he can support you through whatever it's called now.

Original poster
Alfayxo · 19/02/2019 11:28

Out of interest, what usually is the minimum amount your partner can earn to be deemed as financially stable enough to support both? Just generally interested. I completely understand how it works now, you’ve cleared it up well. Can’t help but feel sorry for any relationships where they are in an abusive relationship that they can’t get out of and their partner is their financial support and is holding back on payments for them. Just makes me thank my lucky stars that I don’t have it as bad as some in that sense. I’ll have a long talk with my partner tonight and see what options we have to help pay back his debts. He’d sell his soul if it meant we were okay so I’m incredibly lucky to have him. I know we can make it work. Thank you everyone 💖

OP posts:
Bitchywaitress · 19/02/2019 11:28

Your DP needs to move out out so you can claim as a single person until he's paid his debt off. Can he move back to his mums?

This is benefit fraud and really bad advice. Not to mention you are advising that the OP claims government financial support in order that her partner can afford to pay off his debts hmm

This is not benefit fraud if they are genuinely not living together! If he isn’t going to support his family it’s better for the OP if he does move out

Original poster
Alfayxo · 19/02/2019 11:32

Also the last place we lived we moved out of as it wasn’t fit for a baby. It was a one bedroom upstairs flat (cheapest we could find) and constantly stunk of weed from the downstairs neighbours. That cost him around 520 rent (not including bills of course). It’s definitely not the cheapest of places to live. Our waiting list for council houses are GENERALLY (fingers crossed- friends got somewhere in 6 months when they had a joint income of 40,000 with no kids) fast paced so the plan is to just live here as long as I can (got our bedroom and a crib fits in just fine) until we get offered somewhere so we can save up money. Obviously if baby gets too old or deteriorates my dad’s health (he has very bad M.S. and lack of sleep can be a really bad trigger for him), then we will have to relook into private renting.

OP posts:
Fishwifecalling · 19/02/2019 11:34

Presumably you have student loans?

Original poster
Alfayxo · 19/02/2019 11:36

I have student loans. Been ringing them up and they said they need to do an assessment as I’ve been overpaid so I will have to pay it back straight away or possibility of getting them deducted from next payment next year. I’m HOPING I can do the second as I can’t afford to pay them straight back now and if I don’t have to it means they can help me for a couple months.

OP posts:
Bitchywaitress · 19/02/2019 11:37

Stay positive OP, and congratulations on your baby!!!

But please make sure your DP priorities you both. Consumer debt does not come at the expense of being able to live.

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