Pregnancy and benefit entitlements

[niki2002]

I have just found out that my sister is having her first baby. We are all very excited and happy for her but I am starting to worry about how she will cope financially.

She is 21 and her bf is 28. They live together in a nice little flat and he is in a stable, but not very well paid job.

She works in the local shop and has done for a few years, but this is not strictly "legit". This means she wont get maternity pay or leave. (She doesnt even get holiday pay)

My question is what is the best advice I can give her about what to do so she wont have to worry too much?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Psychick]

Her boyfriend may be entitled to claim family tax credits, no harm in trying. Also, if their income is under a certain amount, they may be entitled to help with their rent and council tax. Tell your sister to make enquiries about both at her local council office and her local benefits office.

[Psychick]

Another thing, she could go down to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help on managing on a tight budget and they will let her know of anything else she may/may not be entitled to.

[niki2002]

Thanks for that, I will get her to speak to Citizens Advice.

Does anyone know where she will stand with regards to claiming JSA. She has never done it before, so will she be entitled to it?

[bednobs]

isnt jsa job seekers allowance? If so why would she get it if she has a job?

[niki2002]

Yes, She has got a job now, but the job she does involves alot of lifting. Filling high shelves etc and she wont be able to do it for much longer.

Also as the owner wont pay her maternity leave i really think she needs to get out of there for financial reasons and the health of her baby.

My questiuon should have been if she leaves will she be entitled to JSA?

[redcrx]

but will she be actively seeking a job? If shes not seeking one then she cant claim.

If they are on a low income they may be entitled to working tax credits and child tax credits and also, as she wont get a maternity pay from her employer she should be able to get a maternity grant, i think thats �300 or �500 depending on circumstances.

If she has been claiming anything and not declaring her job then she really cant complain much can she?

[niki2002]

No, she hasnt been claiming anything.

She first worked there first of all doing a few hours a week whilst she was at college. When she finished college she needed a full time job. She got another job but wasnt too happy there and the owner of the local shop said he would take her on again, this time with full time hours and everything would be done properly inc NI and PAYE contributions.

Basically this never happened and even though she moaned at him, he never did it. So now we are a few years done the line and in a bit of a pickle.

The employer is in the wrong and I would love to report him. He is employing a few staff in this position.

As for actively seeking work, then I believe she would be. She would be fine to do a light job up until later stages of pregnancy.

[redcrx]

and then what would she do once baby was born? take 2 weeks off and return to work?

[Ethel]

Don't report the shop keeper as there is a possibility your sister will be chased for the NI and tax she should have been paying.

[redcrx]

Im not sure about this but surely the Benefits agency will also want to know wheres shes been working and wont find any NI or tax paymens on her record.

I suggest perhaps a call to ACAS for advice.

[niki2002]

Redcrx, This is what I dont know.

I need to know her entitlements, What happens if she can get another job? What happens if she can't?

I think you are imagining her as some kind of layabout who doesnt want to work. You are wrong. Granted, she has been VERY naive staying in the job she has for so long but that is her only failling.

[warpig3]

I don't really know alot about benefits etc but I would suggest she goes to the Citizens Advice and tell them everything. she has got herself in a bit of a sticky wicket as if she leaves her job and applies for JSA they will ask her what she has been up to for the last couple of years, how is she to explain this. Also as she has not been making contributions she would only be elgible for income based JSA, which I assume is less than contributions based. This benefit however should open the 'flood gate' for other benefits such as the sure start maternity grant.

[redcrx]

well i have given you an idea of some of the benefits they MAY be entitled to. But she wont be able to claim JSA after the birth if she wants to actually take 6 months maternity leave. If she manages to get a job before the babys born then i think she will get very basic maternity pay of �112 a week but that needs to be confirmed.

she needs to call either the benefit agency or ACAS, or maybe you can, but anonymously obviously if she intends to continue where she is.

Depending on how far along her pregnancy is she will also need to disclose it at job interviews so that any possible employer can be sure the job is safe for her to do

[niki2002]

Thanks Warpig3. I will get her to do speak to CAB.

She would hate to be classed as a benefit scrounger, but I think when needs must!

I have been telling her for ages to get a "proper job", now I fear it is too late!

[warpig3]

she wont get the maternity allowance of �112 per week redcrx, I have already tried lol. She would have to prove that she was working for 26 weeks within the 66 week test period up to the baby's due date.

Best option is to leave job, apply for JSA, show willing to look for a job then apply for either income support (if applicable) or failing that incapity benefit. The problem arises when the Jobcentre start asking questions as to what she has been doing, this is why the citizens advice may be able to help her by telling her what to say and were she stands.

[redcrx]

aha ta warpig, i knew she wouldnt get the 90% wage bit but wasnt sure about the �112.

Oh and niki, as soon as she is out of local shop then perhaps she should think about reporting them. Staff dont realise how badly off they are until its too late.

[warpig3]

LOL, incapity benefit?????????? WTF is that? Must be where they call you in and feel sorry for you then say 'NO'.

*incapacity benefit*

[warpig3]

Niki, scrub what I said about incapacity benefit, they just called me and I only get it until two weeks after the baby is born and then have to reapply or present myself for work in order to claim JSA, what a joke.

CAB seems the way to go as hopefully they will know the ins and outs of it.

Also for the Sure start mat grant, tell you sister not to apply for it until she is receiving benefits (not JSA contributions based as this will exclude her). I was getting JSA cont based and was refused, lady in Jobcentre told me to wait until after baby was born, apply for tax credits then apply for sure start mat grant.

[niki2002]

Thanks Warpig...

I do think the benefit system in this country is a complete joke.

I hope everything works out well for you!

[warpig3]

Thanks niki, so do I but its not looking too good! Best of luck for your sister too.