help, financial advice needed

[Twiggiebabe]

I am 35 have always worked and have just found out I am am 3 months pregnant and will be single!, I am petrified as I live in a privately rented flat and only have my income, how will I survive what help will I get, will I need to move out? what sort of income will I be looking at once my company maternity benefits stop? Any advice on how to get the best out of the system would be appreciated.

[hectic]

Maybe you should try contacting your local council office to see if you could be allocated a council property as this would be cheaper rent for you. In respect of maternity benefit I'm not quite sure what the going rate is but I do know that after you have had your baby there is a scheme on the DHSS that if you work 16hrs per week they then make up your weekly benefit to a more sensible living amount as it shows you are not a sponger. Have you discussed maintenance with the father of the child as this would also help you out quite a lot, I hope this helps you

[secretspirit]

You won't get allocated a flat unless you're being evicted or if the council have a lot of hard-to-let properties ( extremely unusual these days). Although homeless people get priority there are thousands of people waiting on most lists and most of them will never get housed. You should check with your personnel department about maternity pay (I think it's usually 7/8ths of your monthly pay for 12 wks, then 1/2 for 6 weeks then you're on statutory maternity pay which is �100 per week). The local Housing & Council Tax benefit office is who you want, they will be able to give you a predicted figure of how much of your rent and council tax they will pay for you. Also if you do a search for family tax credit on the internet there's a government site where you can see how much you would get towards childcare fees. Most people are eligible for money towards it so it's worth checking out. You could make a (free of charge) appointment with your local Citizens Advice Bureau who I'm certain could tell you your rights and calculate what you'd be entitled to.

[nrmatth]

do you have friends and family that could hand down clothes and other furniture for the baby? plus ask your county office for a place to see a social worker who will help with subsidized housing, medical assistance and W.I.C. (women, Infants,Children). If you have short term dissability at work you will be given 60% of your income for your medical leave. your human resource officer should be able to help you with that. There are also food stamps, energy assistance and more for most states. If you don't take the steps to get yourself in these programs they will not just get offered. Plus remember that just because your single and on a fixed income doesn't mean you can't raise a happy child. with a little help kids are only as expensive as you want them to be. W.I.C. helps with formula and second hand shops or friends who give away baby clothes can make all the difference in the world. remember babies grow out of clothes so quickly you wouldn't want to buy much brand new stuff anyway. Relax, enjoy being the creator of a new life and remember that you are the one who determines whether your kids "feel poor" growing up. my mom couldn't even keep the utilities turned on when i was growing up but i love her and i think my experiences growing up where the reasons i'm rich with many things, money being the least important.

[nrmatth]

as my last reply pertains to the u.s. please disregard if non of the local benefits apply where you are.

[SGKelloe32]

When your baby is born, you can immediately apply for tax credits, which top up your earnings and also pay up to 70% of your childcare costs should you go back to work. Also if you are a single parent, there are extra payments that can be made to you. The council could probably house you as you are expecting a baby, and that makes you priority, as when i was pregnant i got offered a house within 6 weeks! Dont fret. I was pregnant at 18 with a rubbish income but i survived. And now i save more than i did before i had my daughter!

[nykkieberry]

As people have stated, you will qualify for child tax credit and up to 70% of your child care costs. Plus �60 or so child benefit, any income support and don't forget CSA payments (15% of the father's net income). A small baby is surprisingly cheap to run and there are loads of ways to economise from making your own food and using cloth nappies to buying equipment second hand. You may also qualify for free formula if you decide not to breast feed. If you decide to stay at home and not go back to work, you could think about being a childminder and boost your income that way? The important thing is not to panic, children are priceless. I don't regret my time as a single mum at all. It took a lot of juggling but I managed it and it was a wonderful time of my life. Maybe once the baby is born you could look at going back to college so that you can improve your job prospects? I would also recommend building up a support network of friends, family and social groups - this will prove more invaluable than all the money in the world. Think of this as a challenge and opportunity to take your life in an entirely new and fulfilling direction. Good luck and take care.

[Lindy Loo]

1st things 1st...don't panic!! This is obviously a huge shock (hopefully a nice one) for you and I can understand how you feel. Was there at the age of 30 and felt exactly the same!! I know it's easier said than done but a calm mind thinks clearly!! As 'hectic' said...what about the father? Does he know of your pregnancy? Will he fit into to your future? The local social security office(DWP) would advise about what benifit you can claim, whatever you decide. Also check out the local papers etc for secondhand equipment and baby clothes. Not everyone's choice I now but a good way to save money if you're on a tight budget. I'm sure you'll have loads of support from family and friends, new babies bring out the best in people! Just relax as 'nrmatth' said and look forward to a the person in you life! Good luck and take care

[kezzy_babe]

I am a 15years old. I have a baby of 1 and a half years old. He has been diagnosed as having a defect in part of his heart which is affecting his growth and development. I live with my parents but I would like to get my own place. There is no contact with the father. What health, welfare and benefits would i be entitled to?

Any advice would be be really help full to me.

thank you