16 year old, has a full care order and is 11 weeks pregnant. I can't be sure from CPAG whether she can claim InSu from 29 weeks pregnant or has to wait until after the baby is born.
By the time the baby is born, she will have to claim Child Tax Credit but should still be able to calim Insu for her self?
Carol

If they are treated as an "eligible child" or "relevant child" under Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 then they will be exempt from benefit restrictions as a lone parent and not due to pregnancy. That would be defined under Reg 2 (1) IS General Regs, "lone parent" means a person who has no partner and who is responsible for, and a member of the same household as, a child or young person; I take that to mean that qualification for IS would begin when the baby is born. The only other way I can see for them to qualify sooner is if they satisfy one of the other exemption criteria listed by CPAG (p 677 welfare benefits and tax credits handbook 2003/04).

Many thanks

Shaun