What are they?
Weekly payments for people who are not in full time work and do not have enough to live on. If your family income falls below a certain level the benefit will 'top it up'. This means that you may be able to get income-based JSA or Income Support even if you are already getting Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, Incapacity benefit or some income from part-time work.

Who gets them?
You can claim income-based JSA if you are 18 or over and either you or your partner are actively seeking work. Usually you would claim this benefit if you are living with your partner and you are either unemployed or working part time. You should also claim it if you are single and unemployed but your baby has not been born yet.

You can claim Income Support if you are 16 or over and cannot be available for work. This could be because you are a single parent or because you are 29 weeks pregnant or more. You may also get Income Support if you are single and pregnant and you are too sick to work.

You cannot claim either income-based JSA or Income Support if you have a partner who lives with you and who works for 24 hours or more a week, or if you work for more than 16 hours a week, or if you have savings of more than £8,000.

How much is it?
This depends on your age and the size of your family and what other income you have. If you're under 25 or have more than £3000 in savings you get a lower rate. If you're claiming during pregnancy you should let the JobCentre Plus office know as soon as the baby is born, as your benefit will go up. You will get an amount for yourself (and your partner if you have one), money for your children will be paid through Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit.

For example, if you are a single parent aged 18 or over with one baby and no savings, you would be allowed an income of £55.65 per week. You will get extra money for your child through Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit. This means that any weekly income you already have (such as child support) would be topped up to the Income Support level. Some of your income may be ignored when working out how much income support you can get, for example, the first £20 of your earnings, the first £10 of child support and any tax credit and child benefit you are getting for your children.

How do I claim?
Claim JSA by going to the JobCentre in person (or by post if you live too far from the JobCentre). Claim Income Support on form A1 which you can get from a JobCentre Plus office or post office. Return it to your JobCentre Plus office.

The benefits are paid directly into your bank account or by giro or by a book of orders which you cash at the post office. If you are claiming JSA you will have to go to the Jobcentre every fortnight to "sign on" to show that you are available for work. If you are claiming Income Support you do not need to "sign on".

Anything else?
If you get Income Support or income-based JSA you can claim other benefits like a £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant, free milk and vitamins, help with fares to hospital, housing benefit and council tax benefit. You may be able to get help with mortgage interest payments.

The information included here is provided from the free Maternity Alliance fact sheet Money for Mothers and Babies, produced in March 2004 and gives benefit rates from April 2004. It is important always to get up-to-date information.

For details of publications, leaflets and information packs and training courses contact The Maternity Alliance office:

THE MATERNITY ALLIANCE
2-6 Northburgh Street
London EC1V 0AY
Information line 020 7490 7638