I have been claiming incapacity for a while (longterm incapacity) and was wondering in my pregnancy will affect this, and what benefits iam entitled to baby-wise whilst being on incapacity?. I've looked online and most people who are on incapacity don't seem to be able to get the £500 grant. As i didn't find out till late on in my pregnancy that i was expecting, i haven't really looked into benefits for the baby once born, though ive seen some people get an allowance per week?.

Hello, have tried contacting the local benefits maximasiation team and there is a four to six week waiting list! Thats not an awful lot of money to keep a baby really! what about the £500 grant after birth? Am i entitled to this or do they expect me to use my incapacity money for this aswell as trying to live and survive on my incapacity money?.

I was on incapacity when my twins were born, we weren't able to apply for the grant till they were born and the whole tax credit malarky was sorted out.

I think if your OH has an income over a certain threshold you might not be entitled to it as its done on a means tested basis. I think if your OH claims working tax credit and you get the disability element then you should be able to apply right away.

It's annoying as I know so many mums who have used the money to buy things totally not related to having the baby, and more as an extra treat kind of thing! Compared to those who actually need it to get baby stuff.

M x x