Working parents entitled to anything?

[LauraBrown1]

Hello, I don't know if this is the best topic to post this under but I couldn't find anything else.
Me and my partner are expecting our first in August, he works 40+ hours a week and I do 16. We get no benefits and pay full rent, bills etc.
We struggle with money I'm not going to lie.
I heard something about a sure start maternity grant online but I'm not sure if we'll be elegible for it. I know a few working friends that are still with their partners and they couldn't get it.
Can anyone help me out? It says you're elegible if you receive child tax credits but I have no idea about that either.
I'm currently OMW to work so tomorrow I'm going to ring up my midwife and ask when I have more time.
Just seems as if you're better off not working and getting money handed to you.. 🙄

@NanooCov no sorry it was November 2 years ago that I started x

@BeeYouTiful yeah it's a struggle.
Personally the grant would be helpful as we are struggling money wise. I didn't want to sound like I just want to grab whatever money I can, we genuinely struggle now without a child so the future could be the same.

@homegrownmumma oh yeah I'm definitely not fussed about second hand stuff, it's been 'hand me downs' all my life! Haha

I've been looking in some charity shops and the Facebook pages too. My partners Mam has gifted us a changing mat and a baby bath so that was nice of her and as for clothes and such my friends baby is growing quick so she's offered up some to us 😊 I'm grateful for people like that

So he's putting £100+ in savings a week (based on him working 40 hours a week), but you've only got £350 in savings. That makes no sense.

What figures have you been basing your calculations on, if you didn't even know how much he was earning?

You need an honest conversation about what incomes you really have, and where that money is going.

Working it out he's put the odd £50 or so in savings but recently we did break into them last month for a little extra towards Christmas presents. I'm going to talk to him once he gets home to get a better idea.

No it doesn’t make sense either that he’s putting £100+ a week into savings if they’re struggling.

@ILoveMaxiBondi it isn't £100 every week. We only have saved up £350, it's not as if we are loaded.
Savings stated 1st December when we first found out about the pregnancy

I think it's getting a little off topic now. I'm going to ring up tomorrow and see what is said. Got scan appointment coming up so looking forward to that 😊 hopefully can get my mind more settled

Who are you calling tomorrow? I think earlier you mentioned your midwife but I can't really remember! Don't phone and ask your midwife though.

If you can't get more hours, you really need to look for a second job. Only working 16 hours a week is really not sustainable if you're struggling for money.

I wouldn't phone and ask your midwife what you're entitled to, she won't know about that.

Sure start maternity grant eligibility:
Eligibility
Usually, to qualify for a Sure Start Maternity Grant there must be no other children in your family and you or your partner must get one of these benefits:

Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
Universal Credit

So what was he putting in the joint account before you found out your were pregnant? It won’t be that hard to work out what he earns.

Yeah sorry I realised I wouldn't be midwife I would be talking to in relation to that.

Also @Dreamingofkfc yeah I read that and it says if you're elegible for child tax , which when I worked out on the benefit calculator, I am. So there's a possibility I am elegible for the grant. Just best for me to ring up and double check 😊

If you're entitled to universal credit (look at entitlement to that, not tax credits as you'll be a new claim), you would wait until baby is born, claim UC, and then you could apply for the grant. So won't help with costs pre-birth but a big help after.