Urgent advice needed re UC

[Bumblebeewine]

I don't know who else to ask this so I'm sorry for having to post here but I genuinely don't know who to ask.

I will be going on unpaid maternity leave for three months. I won't have worked the 26 weeks in the last year to get maternity allowance from the government and I haven't worked here long enough to get paid maternity leave (took the job whilst pregnant, they knew). I sent my MATB1 form away ages ago to apply for the sure start grant (and was then refused) but I was stupid and sent my only copy. Now I'm 35 weeks and panicking about UC as I don't know how me going on unpaid leave will affect it, and I haven't sent them my MATB1 form due to not having received it back. I'm so scared they'll cut UC for when I'm not working, and if they did we'd be screwed as all we get is UC, my wage and CB. What can I do?

Anyone?

It does seem that you need to provide UC a copy of the MATB1. www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Pregnancy-overview-Universal-Credit

Can you ask your midwife for a duplicate?

Your UC is calculated based on your circumstances in real time (what you have earned in the previous month), so even ignoring the claim for your new baby you will get more UC if not working as you aren’t losing some due to your income, although obviously you won’t get as much overall income as you do when working. Can baby’s dad not offer any financial support as well?

Ask midwife for duplicate as unlikely you will get it back. Honestly you'll be fine. Don't forget to apply for child benefit and child maintenance.

Apply for council tax reduction and if you already get this, tell them about your change in income