Advice on smp/maternity allowance please?

lauren123

Hi, I was hoping someone might be able to help me out as Im very confused regarding what I'm entitled to when I go on maternity leave, if anything. Iam pregnant with my 2nd child, due 4th november. I only started my job at the beginning of Feb and fell preg pretty much the same week, so SMP is out the question. I am unsure how MA works and if I'll be entitled to that, before I started this job I had worked straight since I was 16/17 so always been unemployed apart for about 3 months before I started my new job. Any help appreciated as Im confused by the qualifying week etc. Thanks Lauren

Gillyx

Okay take 66 weeks from your due date. You must have worked 26 weeks of those, part weeks count as full weeks. So from what you've posted you will be entitled hth x

chrisbur

The date that is used to determine SMP entitlement will be the expected date of confinement given on the MatB1 certificate. I believe it is to early for this to be issued yet but assuming that the date on the certificate is 4th November then you would need to have started with your current employer on or before 4th February to be entitled (subject to qualifying on other conditions) to SMP.
When you say "always been unemployed apart for about 3 months before I started my new job" did you mean to say employed?

lauren123

Sorry yes i have always been employed :-) thanks for your help x

lauren123

So providing my due date stays the same or is earlier i should get SMP ? My 1st payslip is dated the 2nd feb so i must have started a week before. Will speak to midwife at next appt as im still confused lol x

chrisbur

lauren123 wrote: »

So providing my due date stays the same or is earlier i should get SMP ? My 1st payslip is dated the 2nd feb so i must have started a week before. Will speak to midwife at next appt as im still confused lol x

If your due date becomes earlier you may not qualify for SMP as that will mean you need to have started with your employer earlier. Best to wait untill you get your MatB1 and give this to your employer, they will either confirm you are OK for SMP or give you a form and return the MatB1 so you can claim for maternity allowance.
If you want to check then put the dates (ie expected date of confinement and date started employment) on here when you get the MatB1.