Extra help on Maternity leave

[Sharice]

Hello, I am 25 expecting a baby and currently looking for somewhere to live. Im worried that rent is going to be super high, even with council housing so what extra help would I be entitled to? If I decide not to go back to work, will I get help with cost of rent? I just need to know what I would get a month as a single mum of 1 on maternity leave and afterwards when I no longer can claim SMP

Hi
If you live in council housing/housing association you will get all your rent paid for.

You will also receive a standard allowance of £393.45 if you are over 25

£311.68 if you are under 25

For your baby you will get a child allowance of £287.92.

And also make sure to claim child benefit which is £25.60 per week per child.

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

If you live in privately rented accommodation you will only receive the local housing allowance for your area which from experience does not tend to cover the whole rent.

Some councils also offer a discretionary payment but I believe it is limited.

Are you looking to move in to private, or council

Any savings?

I am trying to move into council as private is too expensive and I have no savings

Are you currently housed?

Also, I am sorry you are going through this stress while pregnant, I had lost my housing while pregnant with my first and it was very upsetting.
Keep your chin up!