Entitlements for PGCE student Mum to be...

[Gemini87]

I'm delighted to have found out I'm pregnant however it doesn't appear that I'm going to be eligible for SMP. I've recently made a career change and am completing a PGCE to become a teacher; which means I won't have been employed for the necessary 26 weeks. I live with my partner, who is also a new teacher, so cash is not in abundance. Has anyone been in a similar situation and know the entitlement? The online calculators do not work if you're a student...

Congratulations on your pregnancy.
I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question.
. Will you still be a student when your baby is due?

Benefits for students are really complex. The student finance people at your college would be the best people to ask, it's a specialist area and they know this stuff inside out.

If you've worked for 39 weeks out of the 66 weeks immediately before your due date, you could be entitled to maternity allowance. Government website will explain in more detail.

I doubt there would be any entitlement to means tested benefit like Universal credit on a full time teacher salary and with student loans. If your student loan will end when your baby is born then maybe . Do you have rent to pay? As above look into Maternity allowance.

Maternity allowance is your best bet.

You may well qualify for UC esp if you have rent once baby here.