Can I work part-time and still claim maternity allowance?

newbie71_2

Hi everyone, I am leaving work in 2 and half weeks to start my maternity leave. I got a new job whilst pregnant and so don't qualify for SMP but have been told in writing by Job Centre that I can claim MA. Ideally I'd like to take 6-9 months off work but it will be a real struggle for us on the MA for that length of time - so if in a couple of months time I decided to work a few evenings (loads of supermarkets round here by us always looking for 6 till 10pm staff) a week, would I be able to do this and still claim MA? Or would my MA be stopped altogether? Or would it depend on how much I'm earning?

All advice gratefully accepted! Thank you.

tigtag02

ina word - no

once you are working regarless of hours then you no longer qualify.

HTH

newbie71_2

oh no - guess it's even more belt tightening for us over the next few months! I'll be scouring this forum even more on the look out for all the top tips you get!

Becles

newbie71 wrote: »

so if in a couple of months time I decided to work a few evenings (loads of supermarkets round here by us always looking for 6 till 10pm staff) a week, would I be able to do this and still claim MA? Or would my MA be stopped altogether? Or would it depend on how much I'm earning?

I'm currently claiming MA. I looked into it as I wondered if I could do odd bits of ad-hoc work while still claiming MA. However they take any earnings off your MA £ for £, so I decided it wasn't worth doing any work (and I love being home with baby too!).