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Original poster

UC while on Mat leave

5 replies

eastview · 30/03/2022 03:06

This is a bit of a long one so sorry in advance. I'm currently 6 months pregnant and hoping to start my maternity leave at 32 as I've been very unwell. My employer pays me in full for a few months which is great but I was wondering if I would be entitled to help once I start SMP? My ex partner has moved out of our rented property and although I can afford rent and bills by myself now it will be impossible on just over £600 a month when SMP starts. I assume I can make a housing benefit claim but the only issue is that my exes name is on our tenancy agreement and I'm worried that this will impact my claim. The agreement has expired a few months ago and is now rolling but I cant ask my landlord for a new agreement as I am worried that they will ask me to leave if I'm claiming housing benefit while I am off. I am also wanting to move closer to my family once baby is here so I don't really want to be tied in. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks :)

OP posts:
FreyaMaya · 30/03/2022 03:39

I don't really know about the ins and outs of universal credit. But my daughter has a three month old child, and is currently on maternity leave. She's just made a claim for UC and was accepted. I don't know how much extra she will be getting, but whatever extra she does get will help.
She did an online calculator called "what am I entitled to?" Good luck OP

Danikm151 · 30/03/2022 03:50

You may be asked to prove that your ex has moved out.
Technically as you will claim UC it’s not housing benefit it’s a housing element on UC.
My rent was £500 and whilst getting SMP I got around £900 UC so it topped me back up to my salary basically with the UC on top.
Do a benefits calculator. You may be able to claim sooner than you think.

Babyroobs · 30/03/2022 12:28

I don't think it will matter that his name is on the tenancy but you will need an up to date one to claim help with rent.
Universal credit is the benefit you would claim.
You would get an element for yourself, one for your baby and a rent element as long as all is correct with the tenancy agreement.
The first £335 of your smp ( if it is definitely smp and not maternity allowance) will be disregarded before the smp reduces your total Uc amount. If you were unable to claim the rent element of Uc due to problems with the tenancy then a higher amount would be disregarded instead. You should also claim child maintenance from the father.

Babyroobs · 30/03/2022 12:41

@Babyroobs

I don't think it will matter that his name is on the tenancy but you will need an up to date one to claim help with rent. Universal credit is the benefit you would claim. You would get an element for yourself, one for your baby and a rent element as long as all is correct with the tenancy agreement. The first £335 of your smp ( if it is definitely smp and not maternity allowance) will be disregarded before the smp reduces your total Uc amount. If you were unable to claim the rent element of Uc due to problems with the tenancy then a higher amount would be disregarded instead. You should also claim child maintenance from the father.
Sorry I should make it clear that the £335 disregard will only apply from when your baby is born. So if you made a claim when you first go on mat leave you would just get a standard element for yourself and a rent element as long as you have a valid tenancy. the rent element amount will be based on the local housing allowance for your area. make sure you make the UC claim after you have received any normal full pay/ holiday pay etc, otherwise the first month you may not receive anything. You may get a little Uc until your child is born then once the baby is born it should go up significantly.
Freespirit98 · 20/04/2023 00:21

Babyroobs · 30/03/2022 12:41

@Babyroobs

I don't think it will matter that his name is on the tenancy but you will need an up to date one to claim help with rent. Universal credit is the benefit you would claim. You would get an element for yourself, one for your baby and a rent element as long as all is correct with the tenancy agreement. The first £335 of your smp ( if it is definitely smp and not maternity allowance) will be disregarded before the smp reduces your total Uc amount. If you were unable to claim the rent element of Uc due to problems with the tenancy then a higher amount would be disregarded instead. You should also claim child maintenance from the father.
Sorry I should make it clear that the £335 disregard will only apply from when your baby is born. So if you made a claim when you first go on mat leave you would just get a standard element for yourself and a rent element as long as you have a valid tenancy. the rent element amount will be based on the local housing allowance for your area. make sure you make the UC claim after you have received any normal full pay/ holiday pay etc, otherwise the first month you may not receive anything. You may get a little Uc until your child is born then once the baby is born it should go up significantly.

Hi there! I know you might not see this as the thread was a while ago, I'm just reading your advice which is very helpful I'm in the same boat now, but I'm on 90% of my weekly wage at the minute, do I wait until that drops to SMP to apply for universal credit or do I do it now? Thank you in advance if you see this x

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