SMP or maternity allowance??

lou47lee

Hiya hope this is in the right section

Just wanted to see if anyone knew what i will be entitled to when my maternity leave starts at the end of may,i have worked for this company since 2008 employed and working 14 hours a week (minimum wage at £6.08 a hour) but i dont earn enough to pay any tax or national insurance so am i entitled to anything when my maternity leave starts??

Have received a letter from my employer stating that i MAY be entitled to upto 39 weeks SMP or i MAY be entitled to maternity allowance which is not very helpful.

If anyone knows or can point me in the right direction as to where i can find out will be gratefully recieved

[Deleted User]

Your earnings are not high enough for SMP. You will have to claim MA. Ask your midwife for a MATB1 form and show this to your Employer and ask them for an SMP1 form to claim MA.

lou47lee

Thanks JoanneNotts i didnt think i was entitled to SMP, just hope i get something

no-oneknowsme

lou47lee wrote: »

Thanks JoanneNotts i didnt think i was entitled to SMP, just hope i get something

As Joanne says you will be entitled to maternity allowance.

This is calculated by you choosing 13 payslips from the test period - which is the 66 (Im almost certain its 66) weeks immediately prior to your maternity leave beginning.

When you send the 13 chosen payslips to the DWP they will add them all together to find your average earnings over these weeks and then you will receive maternity allowance of 90% of the total amount.

If your hours fluctuate or you have worked any over time during your pregnancy you will obviously choose to select that weeks payslip to send to DWP.

Heres a link so you can read some more detail yourself http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expe