Maternity Pay advice/help

newcook

im not too sure to be honest (im still single and childfree) but this link should help
http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/Benefitshome.aspx

abbybryan1982

thanks new cook

Just located my work's maternity provisions handbook and it looks as though Im entitled to:

6 weeks-90% of pay
weeks 7-18-Enhanced maternity pay of 50%
weeks 7-39-33 weeks of SMP
weeks 40-52-no pay

flutterby_lil

The sure start grant is non existant now since all the government changes as far as I am aware.

Abby same as me, the weeks 7 - 18 is 12 weeks of half pay plus SMP.

Abby my OH is SE too so I know about the variation in wages, and with a 3 year old too we never have any money but we manage and are happy

flutterby_lil

mmm looks like I am wrong and the grant still exisits......

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

newcook

I think they changed it so that rather it be for every baby you have its now only for 1 baby (or multiple birth so if twins you'd get £1000 etc) providing they are the only ones in the household under 16.

abbybryan1982

flutterby_lil

Im pleased that it works out like with having half pay for a bit. Also, it's not going to be a huge shock for me when it's just SMP as I'm not on a huge salary anyway. If I was on £30k (I wish!) it would be hell of a drop! Now that I've found that out I just need to get pregnant!

I'm very careful with money and alot of friends that have had babies in the last year have offered me a their cot/pram/highchair etc so that will help alot.

Like you said you manage, you have to really.

May start making OH get extra work on the weekend, hehe!

All the best with the new baby!

Abby x

an9i77

Don't forget that whilst on maternity leave you can do up to ten days paid work (I think legally they can subtract your maternity pay for that day from your earnings (will only be a small amount if on SMP) but mine didn't, they paid it in addition to my earnings). So as I did the full ten days over my maternity leave I got an additional sum of money that was quite substantial and certainly helped with all the extras that I had not budgeted for. I know for some people childcare may be an issue but if you can get a relative or partner to look after the baby for the day then it's well worth considering.

Googlewhacker

an9i77 wrote: »

Don't forget that whilst on maternity leave you can do up to ten days paid work (I think legally they can subtract your maternity pay for that day from your earnings (will only be a small amount if on SMP) but mine didn't, they paid it in addition to my earnings). So as I did the full ten days over my maternity leave I got an additional sum of money that was quite substantial and certainly helped with all the extras that I had not budgeted for. I know for some people childcare may be an issue but if you can get a relative or partner to look after the baby for the day then it's well worth considering.

They are called Keeping in Touch days and they can only happen if the employer agrees.

bouncing_bubbles

You will accure Annual leave while on mat leave .....