Maternity Benefits, can I apply for these?

I found out back on Feb 1 that I was pregnant (unexpectedly, whoops!) and I am living in Scotland on a FLR(M) visa. I had been seeking employment, but was unable to find a job and my husband and I decided I should stop looking since I was ill from the pregnancy, etc. Anyway, I'm 16 weeks along now and my midwife gave me some info about applying for a few things: The £190 Health in Pregnancy Grant and also £500 Sure start maternity grant.

I know for the most part that on this visa I'm not allowed/entitled to benefits, with the exception of some maternity related things. Does anyone know if I would be allowed to apply for these? Thanks!

I don't know much about the Sure start maternity grant. But...

Do you have a National Insurance Number? My midwife seems to think that if one does, one can apply for the Health in Pregnancy grant. I did have to check a box that says "subject to immigration control." However, the application notes that being "subject to immigration control" does not necessarily exclude one from the Health-In-Pregnancy grant.

I am sending my application in tomorrow. It will take a while to see what comes of it. But, I can post then. Since the application is easy to fill out. I see no harm in doing it.

The worst thing they can say is "no". And, I've heard that before!

I am sending my application in tomorrow. It will take a while to see what comes of it. But, I can post then. Since the application is easy to fill out. I see no harm in doing it.

If the benefits are paid out, and the OP isn't entitled to them, it can screw up her future visas.

It isn't the benefits person's job to know if someone not allowed the benefit, unfortunately.

Read this and see if it helps:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=19358.90

I had a friend who was unemployed when she found out she was pregnant.  She did get a part time job during her pregnancy so that she could get enough "credits" to qualify for Maternity Allowance.  It actually works out better than Statutory maternity pay, as it is tax free.  so even if you could get a job part time or seasonally during the summer, you may be able to qualify for Maternity Allowance. 

If the benefits are paid out, and the OP isn't entitled to them, it can screw up her future visas.

It isn't the benefits person's job to know if someone not allowed the benefit, unfortunately.

Sara,

I am glad you pointed this out... so harm CAN be done...But I am flummoxed.

My midwife had indicated that I should apply for the health in pregnancy grant, but she knows nothing about foreigners in the UK.

The application forms are not clear--and certainly seem to invite applications. The way that they are written states something to the effect of "persons under immigration control may still be eligible for the health in pregnancy grant. An interview may take place to determine eligibility." So, there's no interview or proper review process?

I briefly read the very long threads noted above and am not certain it clears it up for me. But I'll persevere as, of course, I would not want to incur problems with my visa status later on.

Another day another logistical nightmare... Fun.

You are eligible to apply for the Health in Pregnancy Grant if you are married to a UK or EU citizen.  Even though we are subject to immigration control and unable to access public funds, if we're here on spouse visas, our hubbies make us eligible (I knew he would come in use for something eventually!!). 

I'm not sure about the Sure Start Maternity Grant but you have to be really low income in order to qualify financially.  You or your partner have to be receiving:  working tax credit with a disability, child tax credit at a rate higher than the family element or a few other very low income based benefits.  If you qualify financially (I don't know anyone on this board who has yet), you should research a bit more to make sure you qualify from an immigration standpoint.

Thanks for the replies. I can see now that I don't qualify for the Sure Start Grant as even though we are "low-income", we are not receiving any kind of benefit.
I intend to apply for the Health in Pregnancy one, and hopefully that works out. My husband is a UK citizen, so as the above poster said, I should qualify. It would certainly be nice to get that little bit of help.

This may be a helpful link:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/benefits_for_families_and_children.htm

A basic rule of thumb, if your passport/visa says "No recourse to public funds," you are not eligible for the Health in Pregnancy grant or the Sure Start Grant.

I toyed with the idea of applying anyway, but I'd rather not tempt penalties or something later on, even though my midwife was like "Oh, just apply and see what happens." As much as I'd like £190...I'd rather avoid the trouble when it comes time for renewing my visa or paying taxes.

A basic rule of thumb, if your passport/visa says "No recourse to public funds," you are not eligible for the Health in Pregnancy grant or the Sure Start Grant.

I toyed with the idea of applying anyway, but I'd rather not tempt penalties or something later on, even though my midwife was like "Oh, just apply and see what happens." As much as I'd like £190...I'd rather avoid the trouble when it comes time for renewing my visa or paying taxes.

You ARE eligible for Health in Pregnancy grant if you are married to a British/EU citizen.

Here is a useful link regarding benefits and parenting from the Consumer Financial Education Body:

http://www.moneymadeclear.org.uk/parents/additional_resources/can_you_get_uk_state_benefits.html

You ARE eligible for Health in Pregnancy grant if you are married to a British/EU citizen.

Yes, that's true. But I am American and married to an American. We're just here on visas and work permits. So since it says that on my passport, no go for me.