Anxious about finances; solo parent

[solosunflower]

Hello.

My apologies if I've posted on the wrong forum.
I would be really grateful of some advice. I have fairly recently found out that I'm pregnant. I was told by doctors that I could not conceive without fertility treatment, so the pregnancy is quite a shock and I'm still very much processing the fact. The father will have no involvement emotionally or financially. I work full-time with a mortgage. Before tax I take home around 1,600 - 1,800. Most of that comes straight away for mortgage, bills ect. I'm now worrying about how I will afford everything. Mostly thinking about childcare. I don't have family to support with this, so thinking I will return for 4 days a week after 6 months ( I should get three months 90% wages and three statutory) maternity. The problem is that with what I earn I can't afford the child care. I really don't know anything much about childcare support. Can anyone advise, please? I'm so terrified of my baby and I losing our home.

Are you in the UK? Is the father in the UK? If so get onto CMS and get him to contribute for the baby. If you put your penis into a vagina without protection you have to pay for the consequences, you don't suddenly get a free pass because you are a man.

Also check what benefits you are entitled to.

You will get universal credit childcare element - they pay up to 85% of childcare. Don’t worry you’ll be ok!

I hear what you say about the father, but unless there's some extenuating circumstance, he should be contributing financially whether he wants to or not and you should put in for child support from him via the system. Sounds like any extra will be very much needed, so don't discount it without very good reason.

Thank you for the replies.

My biggest concern is the childcare side of things. I just don't want to end up in a situation where I can't get the 85% and then can't pay my mortgage. From research, I think the only other thing I will be entitled to is child benefit.
I don't want to go into too much detail over the father, pursuing him for money is not something I will be doing. I have my reasons for this. I just need to get myself into a position whereby I can fund myself.

Fair enough, and not here to pry about father. Just making sure it's not pride or anything at play, because it's money owed to your DC and if you need it, get it.

Ah no, I didn't take it that way!

Definitely check what benefits you'll be entitled to. There are calculators online which will help.

Also, a gentle reminder to some that CMS can be absolutely useless when 'men' hide their earnings to get out of financially contributing towards their responsibilities. Child maintenance can't be relied on.

No one's saying it can be relied on, obviously, and 'gentle reminders' are so PA. Everyone's just trying to help. Will leave you to it.

It wasn't meant as a passive aggressive comment, it was meant to be helpful as I found/fund people saying to me to go to CMS all the time quite frustrating and upsetting because it's as though I (and others) haven't thought of that and I'm sure no one wants to cause someone under stress more upset or frustration.