Maternity Confusion

DanielH_3

Hi There,

I've had a look on previous threads, but I thought it'd be best to post about our situation.

I am currently in full time employment, and have been for the last year. My fiance has just become pregnant and we're in the process of purchasing our first house! We're trying to work out what (maternity) benefits she will be able to claim.

The baby is due mid January 2010 and my fiance was made redundant from her previous employment (woolworths!) after working there for 2 and a half years, on the 6th of January. Forunatly she got another job on the 26th of January, and has been working there to this day.

(Now comes the confusion!)

As I mentioned we're in the process of moving house, which unfortunately will mean that my fiance will have to leave her job. Now, here are the questions! (Straight to the point!)

Does she fall within the bracket to be able to claim for MA (Maternity Allowance)? If so, when can she start to take the MA?

If she's not able to claim for MA, what can she claim for, or what are your suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Daniel.

(PS. I don't like asking about claiming stuff as it feels wrong, but I feel that it needs to be done, as my salary isn't very good!)

dookar

Depending on her earnings yes, it seems she may well be entitled to MA. You say mid january? If we take the 15th as the due date then (after a very quick calculation) I make 25th Octber the date from which she would become eligible.

DanielH wrote: »

(PS. I don't like asking about claiming stuff as it feels wrong, but I feel that it needs to be done, as my salary isn't very good!)

Don't worry about that. It's not wrong, it's the very reason the benefit system is in place. I never understand why there is such a stigma attached to claiming.

DanielH_3

Thanks for the quick reply dookar! What are the minimum earnings required? In her latest job she was receiving roughly £500 per month. The previous job was mainly weekend work but the last two/three months she worked more, due to finishing college.

I guess you're right. It's there for a reason at the end of the day!

dookar

DanielH wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply dookar! What are the minimum earnings required? In her latest job she was receiving roughly £500 per month. The previous job was mainly weekend work but the last two/three months she worked more, due to finishing college.

I guess you're right. It's there for a reason at the end of the day!

Take the week in which the baby is due. Count back 66 weeks. In that 66 week period, was she employed for at least 26 weeks?

And in 13 of those weeks did she earn at least £30 average per week?

DanielH_3

Defo earned over £30 average per week for 13 weeks. With regards to the 26 weeks.. do they have to be full weeks? For example, she had mixed weeks, sometimes she did just the weekend, but sometime she worked 4/5 days of the week.

dookar

DanielH wrote: »

Defo earned over £30 average per week for 13 weeks. With regards to the 26 weeks.. do they have to be full weeks? For example, she had mixed weeks, sometimes she did just the weekend, but sometime she worked 4/5 days of the week.

part weeks count

DanielH_3

Well in that case, she's worked and earned the correct amount! Just need decide when to take the MA now I guess?

Due to my low income (13k) will we be able to get any kind of income support?

dookar

She will become eligible 11 weeks before the week in which the baby is due. As I said previously I make that roughly the 25th October (you take the sunday before the day the baby is due and go back 11 weeks) but double check my calculation, please.

Sadly, it's not so much your earnings that count for income support but the number of hours worked. The 'cut off' point would be 24 hours. Were you to work fewer than 24 hours then your earnings (after a small disregard) would be offset against the income support.

Following the birth of the baby you should become eligible for tax credits - certainly child tax credits and I would think you would be under the earnings threshold for working tax credits. however tax credits is not where my knowledge lies.

DanielH_3

So that means that the earliest she could take the MA would be october 25th (dependant on the due date), right?

How long is the MA paid for? Is it just for the 11 weeks? (Sorry I'm a bit clueless!)

If she were to not find work up until the 25th of October, then she would still be eligible for it?

dookar

Yepp the earliest is 11 weeks before the sunday before the expected date of confinement (due date). It will be payable for 39 weeks.

The 66 weeks is the 'test period' she must have worked at least 26 weeks, earning on average at least £30 per week in 13 of those weeks. If she can satisfy that now than any future employment/unemployment will not be relevant.

DanielH_3

Brilliant, thanks so much for your help. It's a lot more clearer now! I understand it all now!

Thanks for taking your friday evening time to reply to my questions!

Daniel