ESA support group - should I claim MA

clive1712

Hi, I hope I’m okay to post this but I’m not sure what to do. 

I’m currently 28 weeks pregnant & I was let go from my job back in May / June due to being off for a year sick.  

I claim UC and I’m in the LCWRA group. I also get ESA (support group). 

I’ve looked and I may be entitled to Maternity Allowance but I’m wondering if it’s worth me claiming this. I found the whole ESA / UC process so stressful because of my mental health. But I don’t know if I should be claiming MA and not ESA for the moment? I’ve told UC I’m expecting but do I need to tell ESA?
I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to ask. I’m having such a difficult pregnancy & just feel really overwhelmed with everything. 

durhamjaide2001

Sorry not about what you asked just wanted to say congratulations for becoming pregnant. That's so exciting. 

clive1712

Thank you. I feel very blessed. 

durhamjaide2001

clive1712 said:

Thank you. I feel very blessed. 

Your welcome is it a boy or girl you are expecting? 

poppy123456

You can't claim MA as well as New Style ESA because they are classed as overlapping benefits. You don't need to tell ESA that you're expecting.

Once the baby is born you need to report a change of circumstances on your journal for UC and tell them the birth of your baby. Your UC will then include the child element (providing you don't already claim for 2 children)

clive1712

durhamjaide2001 said:

clive1712 said:

Thank you. I feel very blessed. 

Your welcome is it a boy or girl you are expecting? 

A little girl 

clive1712

poppy123456 said:

You can't claim MA as well as New Style ESA because they are classed as overlapping benefits. You don't need to tell ESA that you're expecting.

Once the baby is born you need to report a change of circumstances on your journal for UC and tell them the birth of your baby. Your UC will then include the child element (providing you don't already claim for 2 children)

Thank you. That’s really helpful. I will leave everything as it is then and just do that when baby is here. 

durhamjaide2001

clive1712 said:

durhamjaide2001 said:

clive1712 said:

Thank you. I feel very blessed. 

Your welcome is it a boy or girl you are expecting? 

A little girl 

Awesome have you thought of any names for it?