New mum’s baby goes to foster home

Less than a week ago a young mum gave birth to a baby, which immediately went to a foster home.  The partner took their Universal Credit payment of £98 for the month to pay for travel to where the baby was going to help get them settled in and to stay overnight nearby.  The mother has applied for Universal Credit in her own name and requested an advance payment which she can use to get some suitable clothing post pregnancy.  She is currently staying with her mother and normally pays towards her rent and board but the mother has said she will manage without that this month until she gets back on her feet.  In the meantime though she has some post natal appointments she must attend as she is very vulnerable at the moment.  Plus her three other children are currently in foster care and she sees those regularly but does not have any money to pay for the transport to get to see them.  We agreed to send her £80 to cover that until her benefits payments come into payment.