maternity grant!

[Lulu90]

Better ways as in...?

 

[weeyin]

Hi folk! Is there any support people are entitled to if you are working and don't claim any benefits? Just so I don't miss out on anything I am entitled to, thanks xx

 

[xjdx]

I think everyone's entitled to help. I've always worked since I left school and so has my husband. I'm not entitled to this grant. But if it gets used properly, it's nice to know that under privileged kids have a better start to life with essentials from it.

Look at me, I walked into work last month and after 6 years of being there from the beginning we where told the well known supermarket shop is closing down at the end of June without any warning. That's not my fault, it's out of my control. Hello redundancy!

I'm lucky I'm with my husband but if I was a single mum I'd be screwed.
You will always get people who screw the system and people who need genuine help xx

 

[ShowingPromise]

I don't think the grant should be scrapped but the criteria does need to be fairer so that it reaches all who need it.

I got a real shock when I found out what may pay id be entitled to - how did they reach a figure of 140 odd quid a week and what is that based on? That is less than a quarter of my salary and doesn't meet half of our basic bills. Thankfully hubby can support us and we have savings set aside but what happens to those that don't have that support but don't quite meet the criteria for extra help?

 

[Lulu90]

I totally agree with you SP. I'm so lucky my work offers free childcare else I would be totally screwed. To put him into a nursery while I worked would cost me £1000pm. I would get no help either because, even on my own, apparently I earn too much. I feel sorry for women out there in my position but aren't offered free childcare, they'd have to give up work xx

 

[hayes]

I agree with mummybex. It should b for every ftm or scrapped. Seem so very unfair. I'm all for people getting help when they need it but I think a one off payment isn't the answer. If they really need help it should b there easy to access n for a bit a week. I wasmade redundant at 28wks with Harry but had redundancy money n smp so didn't need the grant. I'm now 27wks pg again n self employed. I will get no smp, no maternity allowance as not worked brought when I finish n no grant as this is my second. I don't see that's fair when I could have done with the help now not last time.

Michelle.x

 

[catherine1987]

Don't assume you can't get it! We applied three years ago and we got! I assumed we wouldn't but we did. I was working full time and my partner was too so just apply cause you never know.

They just put it in your bank

 

[H16]

I don't think it should be scrapped but I do think the criteria needs altering slightly so that it also applies to people who work but are on a low income. It would of really helped us out when we had our daughter as my OH was on a very low wage and when I was on maternity leave I would literally walk round sainsbury adding up the cost of things in my basket, have to put things back on the shelf that I realised I couldn't afford and then pay with a pile pennies (literally). Was the most horrendous time of my life and I thank my lucky stars every day that we are not that poor any more. If we had been eligible for the £500 it would of at least helped us to buy formula, baby food, clothes etc etc. I don't have negative feelings towards people that do receive it though just because I didn't x