Universal credit and maternity allowance
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It is such a pain they take £ for £ for maternity allowance.. I didn't qualify for SMP as my wages can vary each week, I had to claim MA to keep getting help for childcare for my youngest. But it's a joke, if I didn't have a child in childcare I don't think I would have bothered as you're no better off by claiming it. It also doesn't lift the cap for you, so I'm also down £300-400 a month because of the benefit cap. The system definitely does not support, parents/single parents with young children, it supports couples/people who can work full time etc. I also think it's wrong that you get capped when you physically cannot work due to pregnancy/Maternity leave/newborn. I'm struggling as I only have around £100 left a month after rent, childcare, bills... and that £100 plus my child benefit is meant to stretch to cover food shopping for the month and other essentials 🤷🏻♀️ this baby is classed as "special cicumstances" so I'll get support for him, but again due to the cap I won't actually see any of the money
Healthy start vouchers are great, but they won't go far if needing formula etc, planning to breastfeed to keep costs down, but as we know that doesn't always work. They definitely aren't as much as MA or how much they deduct cause of the cap... I've tried to fight the cap due to my circumstances etc but they don't seem to care. I think they're happy to watch single mothers struggle.. I'd still be working if I could, but baby due in 3 weeks time, I'm putting him into nursery as soon as I can just so I can work and lift the cap.
@Andrea it really is disgusting how they treat mums!! Especially when we have earned/paid tax etc but have circumstances that have made us have to have maternity allowance instead of smp.. terrible! X
It’ll be because you are entitled to other benefits too. I believe there’s home start and fruit / veg allowance cards etc, if you check you are eligible (with your lower wages) 😊