Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance?

Justonemore

Hi
I have recently started a new job six weeks ago and have found out I am 3 weeks pregnant.

The job I am currently in, was advertised as funded till March 2013, but they have stated there may be further funding available, nearer the time.

Having found out I am pregnant, I would like to leave at the end of March and not return to work at all. I intend to tell my employers so that they can get a permanent replacement.

What I would like to know, is will I be entitled to Maternity allowance or SMP? (I know I will not get the company Maternity enhancement because I needed to be there 6 months before pregnancy to qualify.) But as I will be "unemployed" when the baby is due, although employed on my qualifying week (26 weeks pregnant) which would I receive?

Hope that makes sense to someone!

[Deleted User]

For SMP you must be employed by you continuously for at least 26 weeks up to and into the 15th week before the week baby due. Are you sure you are 3 weeks pregnant? That is like 1 week after conception. I think it's highly likely to be Maternity Allowance in this instance. Dates here are crucial, depends what the midwife puts on your MATB1.

snowfairy84

i think to get smp you still need to be employed by the company ?? you will get ma however which works out more or less the same although with smp you get 6 weeks at 90% ur gross wage where as i think ma is just 135 a week -
wouldnt it b best to stay employed so you can claim working and child tax credits?

[Deleted User]

snowfairy84 wrote: »

i think to get smp you still need to be employed by the company ?? you will get ma however which works out more or less the same although with smp you get 6 weeks at 90% ur gross wage where as i think ma is just 135 a week -
wouldnt it b best to stay employed so you can claim working and child tax credits?

No you only have to still be employed during your qualifying week. But from a tax credit and holiday pay point of Veiw it's best to stay employed as you say as you will still accrue annual leave during your Mat leave.

tronski

Are you sure you're 3 weeks pregnant? Pregnancy is calculated from the first day of your last period (due date might change following first scan).