Advice regarding maternity pay

raachel29

I started employment at the beginning of October on a temporary contract.
Myself, along with a few others have just been told out employment will go to permanent, however on a seasonal basis. We will be given 8 weeks work per year.
I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant, and wondering how this will affect my maternity pay?
I will be employed, but I won't actually be earning anything for 44 weeks of the year.
I have spoken to my manager, but he has no idea either. I'd just like to get an idea of what I can, or can't expect to get.

macalacka

You will not receive maternity pay through your company as a] you do not have enough service and b] you do not earn enough.

you may be entitled to receive some maternity allowance through the job centre however your lack of work may mean you do not qualify for very much. do you have another job or a partner who is supporting you?

raachel29

Hi, thanks for the reply.
How much service do I need to qualify for it from work or the job centre? I was employed temporary for 12.5 weeks until swapping onto the seasonal contract. I'll be working another 2 weeks at Easter also.
I do have a partner yes, however we have discovered we are expecting twins so every penny is going to count now!

Oneday77

Roughly speaking you need to have worked for your employer for 26 weeks upto the 15th week(qualifying week) prior to the baby being born. I may be corrected on this.
So if your 10 weeks pregnant then you fell pregnant say the second week of October. Then you may and only just qualify term wise but your average earnings will rule you out. As you won't be earning for the 8 weeks prior to the the qualifying week.