Universal credit for maternity leave - what’s your experience?

[surprisebaby12]

Hello!

Can anyone share their experiences of claiming Universal Credit while on maternity leave? I’ve unexpectedly found out I’m pregnant, will only get statutory maternity pay, and my partner recently became disabled due to a serious illness (now on enhanced pip and esa). I’m hoping to claim universal credit to cover the mortgage while I’m on maternity leave (we’ve both paid into the system for a decade).

I’d love to hear if anyone else has experience of claiming universal credit during maternity leave or the first few years of your child’s life?

No judgement please, everyone is doing their best!

You can definitely claim while your household income is reduced by both your partners health situation and your maternity leave. Providing you don’t have cash or other assets worth more than £16,000. Use the calculator on Turn2us to see what you might be able to claim - you have to apply as a couple so both need to sit and do it together. Depending on your current income you might be able to claim now: do 2 calculations, first your current income then secondly based on SMP for you to see what your situation is. There’s a 5 week delay before you get any money so if you are eligible either now or when you go on mat leave, apply quickly. NB you won’t get specific help for your mortgage (as opposed to rent). If you will find paying your mortgage difficult speak to your lender and seek a payment holiday or reduced payments until you can go back to work

As ever with new claim stuff on UC try the Help to Claim service:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/contact-us-about-universal-credit/

As above there's no direct help with mortgage as there is with rent.

There is some support but it comes as a loan so will need to be repaid at some time in the future:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/support-for-mortgage-interest-smi/