URGENT! Working whilst on SMP

superflygal

Hi guys,

I did a mysteryshopping assignmeny yesterday, and i am currently receiving statutory maternity pay.

Need to know:

Am i allowed to work (i am paying basic rate tax on earnings for mystery shopping)?

\i read that i can do 10 days work as part of the government's back to work scheme- would mystery shopping count? im not planning on returning to my old job!

If i'm not allowed to work, what will happen to my SMP and the £10 i earned mystery shopping?

Thanks folks, any advice will be gratefully received!

Superflygal x

DaisyFlower

The 10 days are "keeping in touch" days and only apply to the job/employer who is paying the SMP.

The rules re earning whilst on SMP state that if you work for a different company, your SMP must stop and you need to inform the company paying you the SMP. The DWP website shows this info is still current.

lynnexxxo

Does the mystery shopping folk not just send you a cheque for £10?

I mean we are not talking big money here!

chrisbur

DaisyFlower wrote: »

The rules re earning whilst on SMP state that if you work for a different company, your SMP must stop and you need to inform the company paying you the SMP. The DWP website shows this info is still current.

From DWP website
I start work in a new job for another employer?

• If you start work for a new employer before your baby is born, your SMP is not affected.
• After the baby is born, if you work for an employer who did not employ you in the 15th week before your baby was due, your SMP must stop. You must tell the employer paying you.

This seems to me to raise a few questions
Were you working for a new employer or were you self employed and does this make a differance?
Did this employment or self employment start before the baby was born?
Or had it started at the fifteenth week?
If you keep quite about it will anyone know?

bumpybecky

was the ms job self employed or PAYE?

did you do any other ms work for this company in the 15th week before the baby was due? (week 25 of your pregnancy)

eta - opps Chrisbur got there first!

superflygal

its the first time i worked for this company and its PAYE!!!

Bricking it now, as i don' want my smp to stop.

WHAT SHALL I DOOOOOO!????????

superflygal

I thought the money they paid foir mystery shop was expenses??

bumpybecky

I'd be tempted to call the ms company and ask not to be paid for the job. Not sure how legal that is though!

If you are an employee you can get information about SMP from the HM Revenue and Customs employee helpline, 0845 302 1479.

from this site http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp#alreadygetting

DUKE

I wouldn't lose any sleep over £10 - if it went in to hundreds of thousands then yes, but not for £10.

superflygal

Thanks folks, the company have agreed not to pay me!

Superflygal x