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maternity pay

This is a question on behalf of someone else. Can they receive maternity pay after a late stage (after 24 weeks) abortion? The pregnancy was terminated due to the baby having complex medical issues.
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Comments

  • sangie595
    sangie595 Posts: 6,092 Forumite
    I believe that you can, yes.
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    Early births or you lose your baby
    You can still get Statutory Maternity Leave and SMP if your baby:

    is born early
    is stillborn after the start of your 24th week of pregnancy
    dies after being born

    https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility
  • glentoran99
    glentoran99 Posts: 5,825 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    Early births or you lose your baby
    You can still get Statutory Maternity Leave and SMP if your baby:

    is born early
    is stillborn after the start of your 24th week of pregnancy
    dies after being born

    https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility


    Would any of those apply?
  • sangie595
    sangie595 Posts: 6,092 Forumite
    Would any of those apply?

    Termination after 24 weeks due to medical abnormalities does count though.
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    Would any of those apply?

    Wouldn't have thought so however I can't find any mention of abortion in the statutory payments manual.
  • sangie595
    sangie595 Posts: 6,092 Forumite
    Wouldn't have thought so however I can't find any mention of abortion in the statutory payments manual.
    You won't. It's called termination! Termination after 24 weeks for reasons connected to abnormalities in the foetus qualify for maternity pay on the same basis as those who give birth.
  • Prudent
    Prudent Posts: 11,566 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thank you for the clarification:)
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    sangie595 wrote: »
    You won't. It's called termination! Termination after 24 weeks for reasons connected to abnormalities in the foetus qualify for maternity pay on the same basis as those who give birth.

    Abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy regardless of when it is ended. Termination is just another word for it.

    Can you provide a link to the guidance that confirms that?

    Not saying you are wrong, I would hope you aren't as you should still be entitled to it, but there is no mention of abortion or termination in the manual from what I can see. Only stillbirth.
  • jetplane
    jetplane Posts: 1,615 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 20 June 2016 at 8:11PM
    Mariestopes or maternity action will be better placed to offer informed advice and support. They have information online and helplines with trained staff.

    UK law requires late medical abortions to be registered as stillbirths, therefore the same maternity rights should apply.
    The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steve Biko
  • sangie595
    sangie595 Posts: 6,092 Forumite
    Abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy regardless of when it is ended. Termination is just another word for it.

    Can you provide a link to the guidance that confirms that?

    Not saying you are wrong, I would hope you aren't as you should still be entitled to it, but there is no mention of abortion or termination in the manual from what I can see. Only stillbirth.

    Yes. But abortion has a series of implied meanings that lack sensitivity, so it is usual to refer to these procedures as terminations. I don't have access to my maternity rights briefings right now - not in the office due to having broken my ankle. But you'll find that there is a confirmation on the Money Advice Service site here - https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/if-your-baby-is-stillborn

    The same rights attach as for stillbirth.
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