Statutory Maternity Pay

inforapennyinforapound_2

My wife has not paid NI contribution for the last two years due to a career change and working for a charity for just less than £3k a year, this position is not likely to end anytime soon due to the current job market.Her contract as an intern have been 2no 11month contracts. Prior to this she has made four years of contributions.

Our total household income before tax is about £33k if its relevant.

On the basis of the information found on http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_175884 I do not expect any very much maternity pay if any? Is this correct?

Also, could we make additional NI contribution in order to be eligiable for Statutory Maternity Pay?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

Emmamumof2

She wouldnt get SMP but she could apply for MA

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

If :
She has been employed and/or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in her 'test period' (66 weeks up to and including the week before the week your baby is due). Part weeks count as full weeks; and she earned £30 a week averaged over any 13 weeks of the test period

It sounds like both these conditions are met from your post which means she would be entitled - £124.88 per week for a max of 39 weeks-

inforapennyinforapound_2

Thanks Emmamumof2,

I get that and understand all apart from "she would be entitled - £124.88 per week for a max of 39 weeks-"

The website states
How much do you get?

Maternity Allowance pays a standard weekly rate of £124.88 or 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings (before tax), whichever is the smaller.

So on that basis would we only received £56.25 a week? (Say £250 divided by 4 (weeks in month) = £62.5 at 90% = 56.25)