Universal credit and SMP

I wondered when you're able to start claiming universal credit? My mat leave at work is just statutory, so I get 90% pay for 6 weeks, then it goes down to £174 a week (or whatever the exact amount is). I'll be a single parent who lives alone and won't be getting any support from a partner- that is not an option for me. I should be entitled to some UC, I just want to know if I can start claiming straight away or, because I'm on a decent salary normally, does the first 6 weeks not count as SMP? I've also looked at the entitledto website and it says I can get my council tax reduced while claiming UC and things like cheaper broadband, but how do you go about getting those discounts? Where do you apply? I've never claimed any support from the government before, but I'm trying to work out how long I will be able to have off work with my newborn before I'm forced to go back to work because I won't be able to afford it. I have a mortgage and the mortgage company have said I won't be able to take a payment holiday + you can't get any support with your mortgage from the government. My salary covers my outgoings and I don't really have anything leftover to build up savings (even the 6 weeks of 90% pay makes me nervous). I'm really upset at the thought of having to leave my baby and go back to work when the baby is still tiny 😔

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Hi, I hope your situation improves soon. It takes around 4-5 weeks after applying for UC to get the first payment. If I were you, I would apply soon. The first payment is calculated based on the income from the previous month. When you receive your first UC, you can apply for the council tax reduction on your local council website. You should also be eligible for the supermarket vouchers from your council while receiving the council tax reduction from the cost of living crisis fund.

Pretty certain you can only apply once your on mat leave! Xx

I can’t help with the universal credit side of things but please make sure your council are aware if you’re the only adult in the household, you should be eligible for a 25% reduction in your council tax regardless of whether or not you’re eligible for universal credit x

Apply now :) you need verification and things and guest payment is roughly 5 weeks :)

If its ur 1st baby, u can apply for a maternity grant. They give u a one off payment of £500 u don't have to pay back https://www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant

Don't forget to also apply for child benefit which should be £24/ week: https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

@Zoey only if you are already on benefits

U can apply before ur on maternity leave. Even if ur income isn't low enough for u to get uc immediately, ur claim will remain open for a few months and if/when ur income drops during that time, it'll then automatically kick in.

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