how do ppl survive on maternity pay in northern ireland

missma

Hi

I was checking out my company Maternity Pay Scheme recently for another employee. I really do not know how ppl survive on Maternity Pay. My company (after being employeed with them 2 years offers, prior to this its worse.)

90% of your wage for 6 weeks
50% of wage for 12 weeks
then statuatory maternity pay

I really do not know how ppl can survive on this. I think I will be 40 b4 I can even consider kids lol

wifeforlife

I'd go back to work after the 18 weeks - if it was a low wage, working family tax credits and definately child tax credits would be available

Cate

missma

I'm not pregnant or ought suppose just thinking ahead. We earn an average wage. We own a 2 bed terrace and not even sure we could afford the mortgage on that on Maternity pay never mind that we both want summit bigger.

montyrebel

Try being on jsa, i get £50.95 per week and that i have been told by the benefits office is all i am entitled to.
Out of this i have to give my parents £35 per week for food, electricty, gas and rent etc so i have £15.95 per week for myself.
I cant remember the last time i could afford a night out.
Sorry for the rant

missma

I understand that must be tough, hope u find a job soon. Suppose I only put this thread up to get ppls views and how they coped.

leftieM

You could do what many of us do - fire away, get pregnant and hope for the best. I haven't seen too many new mothers living on the streets so the vast majority must make it through despite the short term drop in salary! Believe it or not, it tends to work out.
The drop in salary will get you used to forking out for childcare, so that's a plus.

steveymp

Most of the happy ones are Civil Servants, Health service, teachers etc.....;)

6 months full pay followed by an optional 6 months half pay:T

I can sympathise with your situation thou when my OH had our 2 it was SMP only and it was pathetic

bryanb

Had our children before maternity pay was invented, we got a maternity grant. (Once only payment less than £100) We managed, so did many others hence the present population exists.

We were not in Northern Ireland though.

Normskin

Civil servants get 18 weeks full pay, 18 weeks on statutory pay and you can take the rest of the year unpaid if you wish. Whilst this is more generous than some companies, it is not quite as generous as Steveymp stated.

seatzie

Normskin wrote: »

Civil servants get 18 weeks full pay, 18 weeks on statutory pay and you can take the rest of the year unpaid if you wish. Whilst this is more generous than some companies, it is not quite as generous as Steveymp stated.

must be different in different parts of civil service because my mates experience was what steveymp stated 6 and 6

to the OP you are still getting better than bog standard Statutory Maternity Pay though

wifeforlife

Normskin wrote: »

Civil servants get 18 weeks full pay, 18 weeks on statutory pay and you can take the rest of the year unpaid if you wish. Whilst this is more generous than some companies, it is not quite as generous as Steveymp stated.

This is the correct information - I'm glad somebody corrected this!

I should know this as I've a child and due another in 11 weeks, I'll be going back after the 18 weeks, as SMP is £123.00 but as missima says the mortgage and bills still need to be paid

Seatzie - I'd hazard a guess that your friend took 18 weeks at full pay and 6 on SMP, went back to work for a week then cleared off on the sick which is 6 months full pay - I know alot of people used to do this and it's something that's trying to be combated.