New Job..and I'm pregnant!

Chubacheroo

I'm not sure if this is the right board to post on..sorry if it's not.

I'm just very very confused as to what my rights etc. here are. I'm not entirely sure where to get more information either..as I think I fall through the gaps a little bit between SMP and maternity allowance.

Basically, I decided to leave my job and start up on my own doing freelance work (self-employed) a few weeks ago. I was, before that, both employed and self-employed, with a low-earnings exemption certificate for the self-employment part of things.

However..a fantastic job offer has come along, scuppering all these plans, and I'm to start early next year. The only thing is that in all of this, that I'm almost 14 weeks pregnant and very confused about what I'm entitled to.

I'm pretty sure I would not be eligible for SMP as I won't have worked for this new company for enough time. I'm not entirely sure about the maternity allowance either (I have been self-employed for almost two years - but as it was my "add on/hobby" it didnt' bring very much in.

Any thoughts or ideas..and tips on where/who to go to for more info?

Ta muchly in advance.

Becles

You are right in saying you cannot get SMP as you haven't been employed by the new employer long enough.

However you should still get Maternity Allowance based on your NI from the last employment and the new job.

Have a look at the rules here:
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_008115.xml.html

Chubacheroo

Yay! Thanks Becles..that's a help. I was worried that I wouldn't even get that. It'll be a big dip in earnings though..eek, babies are expensive! ;o)

Becles

Chubacheroo wrote:

Yay! Thanks Becles..that's a help. I was worried that I wouldn't even get that. It'll be a big dip in earnings though..eek, babies are expensive! ;o)

I'm self employed and will just be getting MA, so I know how you feel!

Have a look on www.entitledto.co.uk

If you put in all of your household income details, it will tell you anything else you might be entitled to claim. We can claim a £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant which I didn't know about, and it'll tell you how much you'll get in child tax credits and child benefit once baby arrives.

Baby will also get an investment voucher worth £250 (I think!), which can be put away for his/her future.