Hi, me and my girlfriend are thinking of having a baby but we are wondering what financial help we will recieve, we are both living with her parents at the minute, my girlfriend is unemployed I am earning around £19000 per year, will we get any help while my girlfriend is pregnant and what if any financial help would we get once the baby is born?

thanks Keith

I believe she will get free prescriptions after the preganancy is confirmed with a doctor and, after the birth, she can apply for child benefit, child tax credits and a change in any other benefits.

You should notify all benefits agencies as soon as there is a change in circumstances.

Obviously your main concern should be the stability of the relationship. A solid relationship will see you through all sorts of problems.

ok I think that child benifit is about £20 a week, my partner is currently on job seekers allowance, will she carry on getting job seekers while she is pregnant and when the baby is born or will it change to somethink else?

thanks

Yes, child benefit is currently £20 per week for the first child. She will need to tell the benefits agency about the child so that the benefit can be adjusted. My thoughts are that, if you are living together (albeit with her parents), you should make a joint claim, as a couple, for child tax credits and working tax credits. You would certainly be expected to do this if you moved to another property together. If you don't want to ask the questions about this to the benefits agency, your local Citizens Advice Bureau will give confidential advice.