Maternity benefits and other questions

skintchick

I'm not sure if this is in the right place, so please move if not.

I was made redundant last week and am looking for alternative work. THe place I have been made redundant from knew I was trying to have a baby as I had a miscarriage last month.

So, I am looking for work but today found out I am pregnant again.

Now I am confused.

Do I have to tell employers at intervew that I'm pregnant, and if I don't, when DO I tell them?

If I cannot get another job, what might I be entitled to? I have paid tax all my life. My partner works and earns a good wage so we won;t get anything for the household, but am I entitled ot anything?

What is the situation with maternity? I understand I cannot get SMP if I do not work up to the birth - is that right?

If it is, then what will I get? Just JSA before the birth?

I feel like I'm a bit stuck - I feel morally wrong going for jobs knowing I am pregnant and due in July, but I'm not sure I have any choice.

And of course, there is always the chance I will miscarry again so I dont; want to count my chicken before its hatched.

Can anyone help clear some of this up for me please? Thanks.

notlongnow_2

Hi, I may be wrong but I am fairly sure you wont be entitled to any maternity pay from an employer if you are pregnant when you started the job.

With regards to JSA. Can you claim it if you are not actively seeking work??

Again, not much use really but just wanted you to know people are reading your post and im sure someone better will be along soon.

Auzelia

if you start a job now you will be able to claim MA.
You dont have to tell your employer until your are 25 weeks pregnant

You may be able to get MA allowance,
You must also have been a registered self-employed person or have been employed in at least 26 weeks out of the 66 week period running into the week before the week your baby is due.

If you dont find employment I THINK if you class yourself as self-employed and pay your NI contributions you can then claim MA, but best read up on that.

skintchick

I already am self-employed and paying class 2 NICS as well as being employed (well I was!). So at least I get that.

I am looking for a job but it's hard when I am due in 8 months' time and will want to leave the job. Seems dishonest to take a job under those conditions.

Becles

If you're already paying Class 2 NIC's for self employment, you'll definitely get Maternity Allowance. It's around £117 a week now but it usually goes up a bit in April. It was payable for 9 months when I claimed it, but they were making noises about increasing the amount of time you could claim for, but I don't know if it has been extended yet.

If you don't feel happy about taking a job on knowing you are pregnant, have you thought about temping? That would bring some money in during your pregnancy and I enjoyed the variety when I did it.

Hope all goes well with the pregnancy. I had a miscarriage before I had my eldest son, so I know how you must be feeling right now. Take care of yourself and your little bean.

tsstss7

Becles wrote: »

If you're already paying Class 2 NIC's for self employment, you'll definitely get Maternity Allowance. It's around £117 a week now but it usually goes up a bit in April. It was payable for 9 months when I claimed it, but they were making noises about increasing the amount of time you could claim for, but I don't know if it has been extended yet.

If you don't feel happy about taking a job on knowing you are pregnant, have you thought about temping? That would bring some money in during your pregnancy and I enjoyed the variety when I did it.

Hope all goes well with the pregnancy. I had a miscarriage before I had my eldest son, so I know how you must be feeling right now. Take care of yourself and your little bean.

Becles is correct you will already qualify for MA - however it's paid at 90% of wages (using 13 qualifying weeks to calculate average wages) to a maximium of the £117.00 mentioned, so if self employed wages are low you may be better off using other qualifying weeks. I think you can go back 2 years from edc for these qualifying weeks but since I'm still brainless after my LO I'd check with them.

SMP wont be payable in this instance as you are already pregnant but you don't have to declare until 25 weeks.

Personally I wouldn't let this put you off going for jobs you really want to do as who's to say what might happen in the future and if hopefully there are no problems you might change your mind about going back to work and be glad to have a job to go to....

Congratulations by the way - I'm thrilled for you, and hope it all goes well for you this time. :beer: !!

Becles

Sorry just wanted to correct you. For self employed women, the 90% rule and proving earnings doesn't count.

If you pay Class 2 NIC's and don't have a small earnings certificate, you are automatically get the £117 a week, regardless of your actual earnings.

The 90% is to do with employed women, not the self employed.