Hi,
I am a 23 year old Dad to be. Baby is due in July!
I have been looking endlessly and seeing people in coucil for list/information of the benefits/support I can claim for. But the problem is that I keep hearing about new ones (such as surestart maternity grant). I am worried that I am going to miss out on some that I'm unaware of!!
I earn £24k a year and my partner earns £8000 approx a year but when baby is born will not be working for the 9 months during the maternity leave.
I am aware of the following supports/benefits:
Surestart Maternity Grant,
Child Benefit,
Statutory Maternity Pay,
Child Tax Credit,
Working Tax Credit.

Please can you help provide any information on any others that i'm not aware of, as now completely lost!!
Thank you x

Well you have obviously done your homework! But you don't mention paternity pay, don't forget about yourself!!!

The only other thing I would say is that I'm pretty sure your earnings alone are too high for the maternity grant, let alone combined earnings, but you're right - try for everything! You won't get if you don't try!

I can tell you for def that you won't be entitled to sure start maternity grant as its only for people who arent working, you will get child benefit and the maternity pay, the child and working tax credit depends on your earnings I have a friend who her and her partner work and earn similar to yourself and partner and they dont get very much child and working tax credit but do try because if you dont ask you dont get good luck with your new baby

When i was pg i was not entitled to the sure start grant but was after baby was born! I worked full time and so did hubby and we had a combined income of around 29000. we were only entitled to child tax credits ( i also have a 6 yr old) . But after baby was born i was only getting SMP and because i had two children it put our entitlement up and we were getting family element aswell as child tax. You can claim the sure start until baby is 3 months old so if you don't think you qualify before hand look into it again as things might have changed in your favour!

Has your oh applied for income support, you may be entitled to a very small amount but it opens up the door for other benefits, such as council tax benefit. You should apply for everything as the benefits agency will only tell you if you find out to late that ignorance is not just defence! I should know I used to work there.

mayb housing bennift...
imcome suport
luk on job centre plus web it as all info on benits