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Keep up to date via these links. Current informtaion is below.
Young Mums Groups in Wandsworth
Sure start maternity grant - If you are getting Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) or Income Support (IS) then you can get the Sure Start maternity grant which is a lump sum of £500 for each baby. You can claim it when you are expecting the baby within the next 11 weeks, or 3 months after your baby's birth.
Community care grant - You can claim this if you get JSA or IS. It is there to help you buy things if you are setting up a new home, but you have to be under exceptional pressure. The money is awarded for items that will help you live independently.
Free milk - If you get IS or JSA or you are on a low wage you can get free milk while you are pregnant. When you have your baby you can get it for them up to the age of 5.
Free vitamins - If you get IS or JSA then you can also get free vitamins from antenatal and child health clinics for yourself while you are pregnant or breastfeeding and for your child up to the age of 5.
Housing system - You must have had the baby or have proof of your pregnancy to be considered. You also have to be vulnerable ie. have nowhere else to go and be genuinely homeless. You will only be housed by the Council if you have been genuinely kicked out of home. The person who kicks you out may need to go to Housing and confirm this.
If you are under 18 then you can not be given a tenancy. You will probably have to go in to supported housing, where there will be a key worker there to support you and you will probably share with other young mums.
If you are pregnant or have a baby, and suitable accommodation cannot be found on the day you are made homeless, you may be placed in a B&B. However, this should only be for a maximum of 6 weeks. Housing normally try to avoid putting young mums in B&B now.
You can be in temporary accommodation for anything up to 2 years which is normally a flat.
Wandsworth is a one offer borough! This means whatever area they offer, you have to accept even if you don't like the area. You can only refuse for medical reasons or threat from another person which has to be proved by the police.
Childcare
If you are under 19 you can apply for the Care to Learn grant which is £5,125 per child if you attend school or college. You normally have to find your own child care provider, nursery or child minder and you must attend college regularly.
With child care rates being so high in London this money would not cover you to go to school every day, you would have to find the rest of the money from some where else.
If you are working at least 16 hours per week then Working Tax Credit can help with the cost of childcare. This can pay up to 70% of the cost, the max being £135 for one child and £200 for two or more children. [increased since April 2005]
Staying at school - EMA
EMA pays for you to stay at school or college beyond the age of 16, with weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 that are linked to your attendance with extra bonuses of £100 paid for finishing terms and making progress in your learning.
Fathers
Since Dec 2003 a father has parental responsibility whether or not he is married to the child's mother. If the father does not have day to day responsibility for looking after their child then they may be liable to pay child support maintenance. Child support maintenance is money paid to the child's mother to support the child. If you have applied for income support then you have to tell the child support agency about the baby's father or else your benefits may be reduced by £22 per week. You will keep the first £10 that they contribute and after that your benefit will be reduced pound for pound.
Fathers Direct - Young Fathers
Fathers Direct is The National Information Centre on Fatherhood.
www.fathersdirect.com/index.php?id=13 | |
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