Student loan deductions on maternity

natalieemily

I am currently on maternity leave with my first child and I am being paid the remainder of my maternity pay in a lump sum due to a take over of the firm I work for.

I am on statutory maternity pay and because I am being paid it in a lump sum I have been deducted over £400 in student loan repayment. 

I called student loan company who confirmed that because it is a lump sum it has gone over the threshold of £1,657 per month on plan 1. When I explained it was statutory pay in a lump sum I was told by student loans that I have to wait until the end of the tax year to claim back.

over £400 is a lot of money when on statutory pay, does anyone know if there is anything else I can do to try and claim my refund before the end of the tax year. Or whether this has happened to anyone else recently. Or whether in fact I am not entitled to a refund and I should pay student loan. 

I would appreciate any help or advice

Thank you!