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Young parents and money

Information on financial assistance for parents.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

For supportive information, please contact Treoir, www.treoir.ie the National Information Centre for Unmarried Parents.

Important information:

  • An unmarried mother has full custody of her child.
  • In the Republic of Ireland (ROI) having the father's name on the birth certificate doesn't automatically give him guardianship or custody rights. An unmarried father has to take action in order to get his guardianship rights. He can get these rights fairly easily if the mother agrees by signing a statutory instrument with the mother in front of a Peace Commissioner. This Statutory Instrument (S.I.5 form) can be downloaded from www.treoir.ie. Where the mother doesn’t agree the father can apply to the local District Court for guardianship rights. Find out more about parenting arrangements here.
  • In Northern Ireland (NI), if both parents register the birth together, then they have equal responsibility of the child. 
  • Both parents have a responsibility to financially support their child.
  • The mother is entitled to ask the father of the child for maintenance money. He has a responsibility to financially support the child. If he refuse to pay maintenance then the other parent can apply for a Court Order of Payment. This usually means that blood tests will be done to prove he is the father.

Financial assistance

  • When pregnant, and as a mother or single parent you have the right to apply for financial benefits. The benefits include Child Benefit, Early Childcare Supplement and One-parent Family Payment from the Dept of Social Welfare.
     
  • You might also qualify for a medical card, rent supplement, back to education allowance or exceptional needs payment.

 

If you are pregnant and not working:

  • Visit your Social Welfare Office or Jobcentre to find out if you're entitled to Unemployment Benefit/ Jobseekers Allowance (the dole) or Unemployment Assistance.
  • Bring your birth certificate with you.
  • Apply to your local health board to find out if you're entitled to a supplementary welfare allowance, medical card, rent or mortgage interest supplement or help with the cost of having a baby.
  • Most single, pregnant women with a low income or eligible for a medical card so apply for one now and save on the cost of doctor's visits.

If you are pregnant and working:

  • You might qualify for Maternity Benefit. This depends on how much social insurance (PRSI) you've paid during the year. Check with www.welfare.ie and www.dwp.gov.uk for more information.
  • You should apply for Maternity Benefit at least 6 weeks before you intend to take Maternity Leave (time off work).
  • You might also get Health and Safety Benefit or Leave if you're at risk in your job when pregnant or breastfeeding.

 

Time off work:

  • It doesn't matter when you started work: if you're pregnant you are entitled to Maternity Leave (time off work).
  • To qualify for Maternity Leave you must be in a job where you pay Social Insurance (PRSI).

Contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) or the National Debtline (0808 8084000) for advice and information if you are worried about debt. There are MABS offices in every county and ithey offer a free, confidential service. If you are in Northern Ireland then visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for financial.

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