Benefits help while pregnant

[cep24]

Hi all,
I'm just looking for some clarity and direction. I'm currently pregnant and single. I am back living with my parents but need to find my own place before baby arrives. I do work 30 hours and plan to continue doing so after my maternity leave. However, with the prices rising and a baby to care for that still leaves me short on money. Does anyone know how universal credit works? And if there is any sort of help I would be entitled to? Also do I have to wait until the baby is born or can I claim now? Not sure where to begin with it all and I'm starting to stress 😅
Thanks in advance!

Do a benefits check online to see if you can get any help towards rent through uc atm. Use an average rental price for the places you are looking at.
any chance of increasing your hours from 30? The extra will help towards saving.
once baby is born you should be able to get help whilst on maternity leave. If getting UC you can also apply for the surestart maternity grant- one off payment of £500.

If you are under 35 you would only be awarded the local housing allowance shared room rent until your baby is born. Rent element of Uc should go up once your baby is born. Whether you get any UC before your baby is born will depend on your net wages and the shared room rate for the area where you are going to rent.