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SMP Question...

Hi, bit of a weird question, hoping someone might have to answer before I go to the tax office for advice!!

I am currently employed and due to commence Mat Leave on 11/09/06. I am entitled to the full SMP i.e., 90% for first 6 weeks and lower amount for the remainder 20 weeks.

My intention is to not return, not told employer this as yet but I have more or less made my mind up! In the meantime, I am looking for work I can do from home including setting up my own business or similair, which will mean I will be self-employed.

My question is, if I start a self-employed part-time job now, can I continue this right through my mat. leave with my full time employer and continue to receive my full entitlement??? I don't intend to be earning very much to begin with but wanted to establish my earnings now with the self-employed job(s) and would obviously at the time register myself as self-employed with HMRC - would this then stop my SMP entitlements with my current employer whilst on OML??

Hope this makes sense!!

Cheers.

Comments

  • callansdad
    callansdad Posts: 766 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    If you do any paid work during maternity leave then you will have to pay back your SMP. I am not too sure of all the ins and outs but that is the general rule.
    I think you can however do some volunteering work but dont know the limits on this either and it probably wouldn't help you
    A banker is someone who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, and who asks for it back when it start to rain.
  • callansdad
    callansdad Posts: 766 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Go to http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp

    click on "I am already getting it, what if?" section and have a read
    A banker is someone who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, and who asks for it back when it start to rain.
  • Lucyy
    Lucyy Posts: 1 Newbie
    Vicky, I'm not pregnant yet but hopefully when I am, I plan to take a full year Maternity leave from my employer and whilst on SMP from them, continue to run my part-time business from home. I was looking into this and couldn't find much info on it at all.

    Take a look at the link below, which gives good info about SMP and working whilst pregnant and basically says you are allowed to work as self-employed whilst receiving SMP.

    However, if you do not qualify for SMP and only get MA, then you are not permitted to earn from self employment.

    http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/asp/family_zone/fs_pr1_matrights.asp
  • vickyn_2
    vickyn_2 Posts: 63 Forumite
    Thanks Lucy, that link does confirm that I can work part-time self employed without it affecting SMP payments which is great!! I may still check with the tax office when I register myself as self-employed though.

    Good luck and hope you fall pregnant soon x
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