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Original poster

sure start grant cut...i now have nothing for my unborn baby

268 replies

witter · 12/02/2011 13:19

Hi everyone,,,
I'm looking for some advice as i dont know what to do anymore just as i get back on my feet something else seems to knock me back down.

Does anyone know is there any help out there as ive missed the sure start grant and now have nothing for baby due in april 2011.

I had to claim income support late last year as my partner left us and i was not working so had no income what so ever.
I have recently gone self employed and dont really have much income at the moment with starting up and everything.
I am due to have another baby in april 2011 but i have nothing i was told i could claim a sure start grant months ago but when i went into the jobcentre they said no first child only now.
I do have another child who is 1 year old but have never claimed this before as myself and partner worked before.
I have a few bits that baby could use but my son is still in his cot and only have his buggy now which i use for him as he cant walk the next baby is a girl so dont have mamy clothes either nether mind bottles, blankets, or anything else.
i really dont know where to turn next..i cant claim a loan because i need to be claiming benefits.
is there anything at all i could do??
thanks for reading xx

OP posts:
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charitygirl · 12/02/2011 18:47

I would imagine she's been scared off by Georgimama's patronising, dismissive attitude. Some people just love to make themselves feel superior even if it adds nothing to the conversation, and makes everyone else think they're a prat.

Had a bad day?

mrstickle77 · 12/02/2011 19:02

Here here charitygirl. I've hardly posted on this site, just asking the occassional question and generally picking up pieces of advice and opinions.

This post has amazed me how narrow-minded, nasty and sanctamonious some people can be. I hope you can always be so smug and sure that your own circumstances never change for the poorer.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 12/02/2011 19:15

"the universal £190 grant brought in in 2009 - not means tested and for every baby. This is being abolished from April this year."

My understanding is that it has been abolished from the 1st of January and applicable to pregnant women who were 25 weeks or over at this time, according to a leaflet.

But would be more than happy to be wrong about this, believe me Wink

BabyMaking2011 · 12/02/2011 20:31

car boot sales are full of baby stuff at bargain prices,w here theres a will theres a way x

1Catherine1 · 12/02/2011 20:33

Depending on when OP is due in April you might still be able to get the Health in Pregnancy grant as others have said.

To all those being very judgemental can I just say, back away from the post! This woman is obviously very stressed and has not intended to get into this situation to start with, she has come here for advice and help, if you don't want to give it then get off the thread and stop giving MN a bad reputation.

I also back up what others say about contacting the CSA. This man has no right to get you pregnant then walk out on his responsibilities and definitely no right to feel that he can then pop in and out of your child's life when it suits him. I understand that you don't want to rely on your exP but in fairness you don't really have much choice in the matter. Maybe when your kids are in school full time then you might be able to afford to be so proud but right now you have to look after yourself and your children. Without knowing your profession or skills it might just be that you cannot afford to work with 2 children in full time (or near as) childcare. I am a teacher so my earnings are above average but I know that I couldn't afford to work and pay full time childcare for 2 children, its nearly half my wages for 1 child. I know you said you've been to the CAB already but it might be worth another visit to see if there is anything else you are entitled to or any other help that might be available. Try the jobcentre too, and even though this idea is unpopular remember that sometimes, it is financially better for you not to work as it messes with the benefits you are entitled to and you end up worse off. I would only advocate this as a short term solution because when your kids start school I'm sure you'd want to be able to provide a better quality of life that you could do if you were working.

As for getting stuff for the baby don't buy things new! I got a cotbed of e-bay for £20 and only bought the mattress new for £40 (actually I got my brother to get it for me as a x-mas present). E-bay is your friend and there is nothing wrong with buying second hand things. This is my first baby and due to my financial situation funds have been limited too (massive student debts and a very sick cat - feel free to judge me) and I have managed only to spend £280 on preparing for baby's arrival. I've been buying things since November (due March) to spread out the cost and asked everyone to get baby things for Christmas rather than anything for me - people are more generous when it comes to baby things anyway. I could have done it for less but I have only bought new clothes as it is my first and I plan to have more eventually.

Good luck witter, I hope you work something out.

Original poster
witter · 12/02/2011 20:50

Hi everyone
thanks for all the helpfull replys i never wanted to end up this way and i shouldnt of relied on the sure start grant but i was told i would be entitled to claim it so yes i did expect it.
i filled in a form with someone at the jobcentre for csa to be taken when was claiming income support due to not getting anything from the father but he says i wont see a penny of it anyway.
my house is rented and i have put in a new claim for housing benefit but they have not sorted it yet as they wanted 13 week income details which i didnt have due to starting up.
my son has just turned 1 hes not walking yet and still sleeps in his cot.
i have been on freee cycle and signed up and will keep my eye on it see if anything comes up.
i missed the grant by a couple of days i'm due 14th april and i think the cut offs 11th
i use my mobile and get free internet every month its slow but works alot of the time so is helpfull to search these sites.
ive tryed looking for any work from home companys but can only find things like surveys which i have done some of.
ive got a lady from avon coming to sign me up with them but i'm just so scared i'm going to have this baby and have nothing for her.

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 12/02/2011 21:27

witter There is another thread on this forum advising mums due from 16th-21st April 2011 that they may still be able to get the £190 Health in Pregnancy grant. Get to your midwife next week and get her to fill a form in, it won't do any harm. Good luck.

CherryPie3 · 12/02/2011 21:35

witter I'm sorry you're in this situation hun, I can only second what others have said (the useful and non judgypants ones anyway! Shame on all those who have contributed nothing but personal opinions! Angry. Where are you? I have allsorts of stuff, clothes etc. Xx

CherryPie3 · 12/02/2011 21:36

Should have added - it's yours if you want it, can't post it bit will bring it round if you're local xxx

mamadiva · 12/02/2011 21:45

Witter I know it's fine for us to sit back and say but please, please do not worry about not having much, as long as you have the basics your baby will not care.

The main thing is that your little girl has a loving parent :)

When you get your housing benefit, it will be back dated to when you applied so you should recieve a rebate of anything that you have paid since then.

Could you use this as a starting point even if it is only £50 it is a big help.

I don't mean to be eco preachy or anything (I am anything but) but when we were skint I thought cutting down on things like baby wipes would help so we just bought 20 reusable wipes from Ebay for £5 and 3 years on we still use these with plain water. We have probably saved about £50+ in the long term.

harecare · 12/02/2011 21:46

Can you ask the midwife to change your due date by a few days?
Are you able to get by on what income you do have coming in?
Is it just the things you need for the new baby that you are short of? If that is it, then trust me, put posts on freecycle, ask around and I'm sure a moses basket, twin buggy, steriliser, bottles, vests and sleepsuits will turn up. Have you actually put a "wanted" post on freecycle? This can be easier than just waiting for people to "offer" things. How helpful are your parents? Your rubbish ex's parents? Even if they can't afford to buy you what you need, they might be able to ask around too.

NonnoMum · 12/02/2011 21:47

Don't worry about your ex-P claiming that you won't see any money. That's not his decision. He will be chased for it. (Are both the babies his?) If not, chase the other father as well (not literally - CSA will do it for you). The whole point of the CSA is that parents can't just up and leave their children without contributing to their upkeep.

harecare · 12/02/2011 21:49

Breastfeeding will save you money even if you get healthy living vouchers as then you can spend those on food for yourself instead of milk for the baby - I think you can do that.

mamadiva · 12/02/2011 21:51

To be fair don't hold your breath with CSA but do contact them...

My brother is 16, my dad vanished when he was 7 and my mum has given the CSA his phone number/address and workplace several times but they still have'nt got a penny from him! She first contacted them in 2004!

Original poster
witter · 12/02/2011 22:31

hi, i live near to manchester,
its just worrying not having the main things i mean i can pick up bits every week but its the big things i couldnt afford,,i still have steriliser and a play gym from my son that i can use but i got rid of his old bottles and teats and the main things he is using still.
i did ask midwife about the healthy grant thing but she said they have stopped it all together now.
i'm going to google csa now see what i need to do and i have put an ad on free cycle for a double pram

OP posts:
OADCB · 12/02/2011 22:43

Op you need some good benefits advice. How many hours a week are you working. Do you have a partner? What are you claiming?

TheSecondComing · 12/02/2011 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
witter · 12/02/2011 23:46

I am doing the bags and starting the avon hopefully this week and should be doing 16-18 hours.
thanks for your offer i dont drive but could get a bus if your close by

OP posts:
TheSecondComing · 13/02/2011 00:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

electra · 13/02/2011 00:21

The CSA are a PITA but I have managed to get regular (monthly) payments via them from my ex after he withdrew our private arrangement without telling me. You need to phone them a lot (2-3 times a week) and nag. But if your ex is on a pay roll the CSA will be able to get the money from him easily via a deduction of earnings order.

If they are rubbish you can get your MP to write them a letter which often helps. Anyway, just wanted to say don't let him get away with it - it's not your job to suffer because you're the parent with care.

Memoo · 13/02/2011 00:29

Witter, I am in Warrington and have a few things you can have. Have some clothes, bedding, sling, changing mat, and probably more stuff too and need to have a sort out anyway. If you're not too far I can drop them off for you no problem.

I was on my own with a toddler a small baby years ago after leaving my ex so know how hard it is.

Memoo · 13/02/2011 00:30

I've been trying to get money from my ex for 10 years now via the CSA and still getting nowhere, they are a waste of space.

electra · 13/02/2011 00:34

I think it depends what kind of job they have (more difficult if self-employed or keep changing jobs)

elsiemarley · 13/02/2011 00:42

Do you still have a HV for DC1 op? If not ring her up, get her to visit and tell her what's what, she should/might be able to refer you to a few places who receive donations of baby stuff that they give back out to people who need it. It works like that round here anyway so it's worth a go.

Freecycle are good, good stuff seems to go fast though so you have to be on lookng a few times a day imo.

Have you go a tesco near you and a club card? I'm saving points in the hope they do another double your points thingie before my next is due...

mummysweeangel · 13/02/2011 08:00

Child Tax credits ? you surely must be getting them or entitled to them for all of your children ?

Especially being a single parent i would have imagined you were entitled to a bit more purely for that reason ?

My husband and I get £56 a week Child Tax Credits for having one child (i am a stay at home mum and hubby works 40 hours a week) I thought this was really good that we were entitled to this and it comes in really handy as does that £80 a month child benefit.

Also, what line of work are you "self employed" in? if you do 16 hours or more a week then you will be entitled to Working Tax credits aswell which will really boost your income. My friend is a single parent of 2 children ages 11 and 3, she works 16 hours a week- earns about £400 a month after tax, but gets £180 A WEEK between child tax credits and working tax credits.

You really need to get yourself down to your local benefits agency and have them work out exactly what help you should be getting