Maternity help!

I’m currently 25 weeks. I’m not entitled to statutory maternity due to only just starting my new job when I found out I was pregnant. I’m worrying already about finances. Does anyone know if there is anything else I can claim alongside maternity allowance? If so who I go to for help with this. First time mum to be, so I literally need spoon feeding 😖

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More than likely only child allowance, I survived on only MA with my first. It’s hard but can be done x

@Jess thank you for your response! I know I’ll have to survive, I’ll have no other option. I’m just worrying about rent ect as it won’t even cover that, never mind the essentials x

You should still be able to claim the statutory allowance. That’s all I have at the moment and then I get a top up from universal credit

You may be able to get universal credit whilst you are only receiving MA x

Do a online calculator for universal credit to see if you are entitled to a top up. You will have to put in your partners earnings too if you both live together but you may be entitled to a top up x

It's not continual income but have a look into the sure start maternity grant aswell, think it's £500 you get

I'm in the exact same boat, I'm only allowed MA. Absolutely terrified about my finances during this time, I'll be losing 1k a month. I'm only considering 1 month off work, 2 maximum. I'm going on maternity leave on my due date (unless she comes early). This is my first child, if i can save enough between now and when she's born I may take the 2 months. My car tax and MOT are both due within the time I will be off, and I will need to get at least 1 months full pay in before my insurance is due in June.

It's defo a hard one but we will all manage, defo try for universal credit and the sure start grant I will do the same but I have been told you can't apply until baby is born. But getting a top up even if it's not enough to cover bills is better than nothing

@Samantha when I read this lady's post I was thinking of you and was going to try and tag you! Glad you found it. Have you looked into universal credit as someone mentioned?

@Aurélie Im looking into it, my mom works on universal credit as a case manager and thinks it may not be viable for me

@Samantha oohh I see ok. Shame!

@Samantha Hi Samantha, why does she think you’re not viable? Is this because of your partners income? And if so do you know what the cap is? X

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