Just found out I am pregnant, nearly finished uni and looking for a job. Help!

[purpleteapot]

I'm nearly finished my first year at university and decided before university that I don't want to come back and to do Open University instead.
I am currently looking for a job back at home to start when I get back from university. I have applied for 23 so far and had no responses.
I found out I was pregnant last week and was considering applying for Job Seekers when I got home but I'm not sure now. I don't know how it will be affected because I am now pregnant and I'm really confused :(
Not sure about anything to do with benefits, pregnancy benefits etc. I hate the thought of being on the dole as I have always worked and had a job until I came to uni.
Many websites contradict themselves. Just so worried I won't have any money at all! I know many people will think that I shouldn't have fallen pregnant with no job and no money but these things happen.

If you've not worked in the last year you won't get AML or SMP.

Best bet is to go and speak to benefits office.

I can't answer your question about JobSeekers, but I just wanted to say that if you changed your mind and do want to return to university after having the baby, they will be able to accommodate that. It is worth keeping your options open with them, and your personal tutor will be able to talk with you about taking maternity leave from your studies. Not saying this is what you should do, just that it can be worth keeping options open.
Hopefully someone will be along to answer your question soon. Good luck with the job hunt and the pregnancy.

I don't have all the answers either but my gut reaction is you're better off being at uni (or deferring for a year and going back) in terms of benefits/hardship funds and in terms of your ability to get a decent job. The jobs market is tougher than it's been for a long time right now. Unemployment among young women is going through the roof. Anyone on MN will tell you how much harder it is to work/build a career/get a job once you have kids. Not impossible, but much harder than before kids. Trying to get yourself a decent job without the degree will just be even harder.

Also, trying to go back to higher education will be harder if you drop out now and try to go back to it later. The early years of having a baby are surprisingly draining. You might think you'll be able to do an OU course while the baby naps or something but it never quite works out like that! Time just disappears.

Speak to your uni benefits office and maybe speak to Citizens Advice.

Good luck whatever you do. It must seem really scary right now but you'll be fine.

PS. Try Maternity Action. They've got a helpline and can offer good advice.

I think you can claim JSA while looking for a job, and then 11 weeks before you are due you go on to Income Support. You'll probably be entitled to the SureStart Maternity Grant as well which is £500 to help with costs.

I would also consider taking this year out to have the baby and then going back to complete your degree. I have just done a year of study by distance learning with a new baby and it was really hard managing everything - it would have been easier going into uni and having proper childcare arrangements.

Ritamorgan is right about benefits.

Why don't you want to continue with uni? Apart from baby of course!

What degree is it? How many contact hours? I would continue if I could- you will get so much help and in two years your earning capacity will mean you can provide more.

Im pregnant and I need to defer a year on my uni course due to the massive placement element. I'm going to get stung by the extra tuition fees- don't defer/ quit unless you really have to!

Thanks for all your advice, it's cleared my head a little.

I am continuing with uni, just doing Open University instead. I won't be in £30,000+ of debt as it is free and my current uni is over the other side of the country to where I live. I tried transferring nearer to home but not many uni's are doing that these days with cuts in how many students they are allowed. Open Uni is my only choice but I definitely do want to carry on. I'm doing an English degree and I love it just not practical being so far away anymore.

I think I will apply for job seekers, see if I can get a job to tide me over for a while. Will get onto Citizens advice and Maternity helpline, thanks for the help.

Purpleteapot, good luck with it all. Glad to hear you've had good advice here. Just to let you know there is also a 'student parents' board on MN too, where you'll also be able to find more help as well.

Wishing you all the best!

Oh will check that out, I only joined the other day so still getting to know the site at the moment. Thanks!