Can I make money whilst on Mat leave?

brunettegirl

Im currently on maternity leave and want to generate some more money. I have just started with the daily clicks and mystery shopping is it ok for me to do these, as I know Im not supposed to be 'employed' whilst claiming maternity benefit? is there anything else I can do...?

Many thanks

nikki2804

You can do anything that is classed as self employed.
Anything thats classed as 'emloyed' would cause problems with your SMP.

I did surveys, mystery shopping etc and I've just returned from maternity leave.

Floxxie

brunettegirl wrote: »

Im currently on maternity leave and want to generate some more money. I have just started with the daily clicks and mystery shopping is it ok for me to do these, as I know Im not supposed to be 'employed' whilst claiming maternity benefit? is there anything else I can do...?

Many thanks

If you are claiming Maternity Allowance, the answer is no you cannot work. If it is SMP then yes for self-employed work and yes to your 10 days 'keeping in touch' in your current job.

lozza1985

Out of interest what is the difference between maternity allowance and swp? Reason I ask is because I work full time, but am also self employed for avon - when I have kids in a couple of years, will it be possible for me to continue with avon (my self employed work) during my maternity leave from my full time job?

Becles

If you claim SMP, you can still do the Avon as self employed work.

If you claim MA, you cannot do any work at all.

It's a bit unfair really

lozza1985

Which would be the standard one you would usually receive from an employer, MA?

millerose

lozza1985 wrote: »

Which would be the standard one you would usually receive from an employer, MA?

SMP you get from your current employer. MA you have to claim from the DSS

lozza1985

That's a relief then thanks

stresshead70

Is this true, if so it definately strikes me as unfair. I am trying for a baby and i am self employed , so trying to get my head round how I am going to cope in the later stages of pregnancy. I gather from other posts that I will be able to get maternity allowance which is approx £130, this worries me because my business overheads are more than that a week and if I understand all I have read so far, I will not be able to work even part time to pay the bills (except for the 10 KIT days), whether in my business or by doing other self employed work such as avon etc. Yet some who is employed and so doesn't have overheads to pay is able to a bit of self employed work to earn extra cash. How does that make sense in terms of fairness. Sorry if I've misread the situation and I'm not having a go at those of you are employed, I'm just starting to feel like I'm being punished for being self employed. There rant over, thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Becles

You have my sympathies. I'm self employed and had a baby three years ago and thought it was unfair that employed women on SMP are allowed to do some work, but ladies on MA are not allowed to do any work at all.

The other thing that bugged me was that an employed lady has rights to go walk straight back into whatever salary and benefits she was on. That's not an option with MA and self employment. You have to stop claiming MA, and then contact all your clients and build your work back up again, so there is a window with no income while you are getting your business back up and running. There should be some sort of run on, so you can start work say 4 weeks before the MA is due to run out to give you time to get back on your feet.

febes

From what I understand, MA is for anyone who doesn't qualify for SMP (if you haven't been employed long enough, self-employed and unemployed). Now, for those who are unemployed, the MA is ok. But I feel everyones despair at those who are self-employed.

But what can you do? Maybe lobby the new government, so Self-Employed people can have their own Maternity Pay? I understand why you aren't allowed to work on MA, as it is government money and there are enough people out there defrauding the system. But it does seem highly unfair for those who are in self-employment to not be able to continue running their business in whatever capacity whilst claiming it.

Good luck to all self-employed families!