Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list (a) the benefit arrangements for pregnant women below 18 years of age, (b) the special dietary provisions organised by social services for pregnant women and (c) the criteria for eligibility for (a) and (b). - Inc table.
Answer
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list (a) the benefit arrangements for pregnant women below 18 years of age, (b) the special dietary provisions organised by social services for pregnant women and (c) the criteria for eligibility for (a) and (b). [69668] Angela Eagle: The information is in the tables. Benefits for pregnant women under 18 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Benefits Qualifying criteria Jobseekers Allowance Certain unemployed young people in prescribed groups, such as those at the end of the Child Benefit Extension Period can get JSA, as can those who can demonstrate that they would suffer severe hardship if JSA was not paid. Young people who are estranged from, or living apart from, their parents for good reasons (including the possibility of abuse) are one of the groups who can get JSA while looking for work or training. Income support Those incapable of work by reason of pregnancy, and those within 11 weeks of their expected week of confinement and up to 7 weeks following the date on which the pregnancy ends; Social fund maternity payments Awarded to recipients of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance (or, if under 19, be a member of a family where one of these benefits has been awarded) who make the claim within the prescribed time limits Housing Benefit Young people who live independently and have a liability to pay a commercial rent are entitled to claim Housing Benefit, irrespective of whether they are pregnant. If entitled they will receive the normal under 25 personal allowance (currently £39.85) Council Tax Benefit As there is no liability for Council Tax from anyone under 18, Council Tax Benefit is not paid to this group Statutory Maternity Pay (a) that she must have been continuously employed by her employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week (the qualifying week) before her expected week of childbirth and to have stopped work for that employer; (b) that her normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the qualifying week are not less than the lower earnings limit for the payment of national insurance contributions; (c) that she is pregnant and has reached or been confined before reaching the start of the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth. Maternity Allowance (a) that she is pregnant and has reached, or has been confined before reaching the start of the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth; (b) that she has been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks immediately preceding the expected week of childbirth; (c) that she has actual paid employed earners and/or self employed earners national insurance contributions for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks immediately preceding the expected week of childbirth; (d) that she is not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay for the same week in respect of the same pregnancy. Special dietary provision Qualifying criteria Welfare foods All pregnant women in families entitled to income support or an income-based jobseeker's allowance are entitled to receive milk tokens which may be exchanged for seven pints (or four litres) of cows' milk per week. Vitamin supplements are also available free of charge _________________________________________________________________________________________________.