Please help re mat pay

mumtobe25

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone could help me as searching on internet hasnt given me any clearer picture.

I have been on ssp (stat sick pay) since i was 16 weeks preg for a preg related illness im going straight from that onto mat leave...

My question is how much mat pay will i get as i know it used to be 90% for 6 weeks but does this mean 90% of sat sick pay or my wages before?

Any help id much appreciate thank you.

elle_gee

This should help - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_175917

tiamai_d

Wages before is what I used with DS2 (who is now 4 so it may be different).

mumtobe25

ahh im sorry but im soo stupid i dont understand :rolleyes:

also forgot to add that for 5 weeks before my mat starts im having to take all my holiday so for 5 weeks ill be on normal wage before my mat starts but the rest of the time before ill be on sat sick pay..

it says they work it out for 8 weeks before by do they avarage this out of will it be 3 weeks under £95 and the rest as normal pay - im soo confused.

elle_gee

direct.gov wrote:

To calculate your average weekly earnings your employer will average your gross earnings over a period of at least eight weeks up to and including the last payday before the end of your qualifying week. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the week your baby is due.

When was your last payday before you were 25wks pregnant?
It's the average of what you earnt in the eight weeks before that payday.

mumtobe25

ohh in that case i was on sat sick pay which means i earnt under £95 does that mean i wont be paid anything? altho work havent returned my mat 1 form or told me any problems with it..

Glamazon

try this calculator - it might help

http://tiger.direct.gov.uk/cgi-bin/maternity.cgi?

You should get SMP if you've earnt more than £95 per week

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

suseb_99

Hi,
SMP is 114 ish per week, as you were on SSP before for maternity you should probably contact CAB or your local benefits office, as you may be entitled to extra help, there is a one of payment for people on low incomes to help with the cost of buying things for the baby. ( someone on the work and benefits board could prob tell you more)
Congratulations on your pregnancy, my DD is now 10 mths and it's all worth it!!

Good luck

Glamazon

suseb_99 wrote: »

Hi,
SMP is 114 ish per week, as you were on SSP before for maternity you should probably contact CAB or your local benefits office, as you may be entitled to extra help, there is a one of payment for people on low incomes to help with the cost of buying things for the baby. ( someone on the work and benefits board could prob tell you more)
Congratulations on your pregnancy, my DD is now 10 mths and it's all worth it!!

Good luck

SMP has just gone up to £123 a week :j

shellsuit

You'll probably be entitled to Maternity Allowance and not SMP.

I went off work too @ 16 weeks and couldn't get SMP as I'd also been on the sick in those 8 qualifying weeks which meant my income was under the threshold.