Statutary maternity pay + other entitlements

Donna_23

I have just found out I am pregnant and have no idea about what I will be entitled to having never claimed any before. I was told I could never have children so financially we are compltely unprepared. My husband and I both currently earn approx 14000 each and I have been told I will be entitled to statutory maternity pay only. I have looked at various benefits sites and am completely confused - I am in a big panic because I can't see how we will manage when we basically lose £1000 a month when I begin maternity leave.

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated as I am currently worried sick at a time when I should be over the moon

Thanks Donna

Spendless

Hi Donna

The rules on maternity benefit changed 6 days after i had my daughter last year, so i might not be able to give you current advice.

It used to depend on how long you'd worked for your employer for and then you'd get 90% of pay for 6 weeks and a lower amount for rest of time. But even if you didn't qualify for this you would still be entitled to something. I left my part-time job a few months into my pregnancy but cos i'd worked for x amount of weeks before baby was due i was still entitled to something.

You can get more info from somewhere like maternity alliance.

I also used to buy mags like pregnancy and birth and there was often articles on maternity pay.

Once the baby is born you will be entitled to child benefit and child tax credit. There is an extra allowance for CTC for the first 12 months when baby is born.

If you're worried about living on reduced income when you are on maternity pay - what about putting some money aside now for this time.

Finally - congratulations and keep coming on the board there's lots of tips and advice for keeping costs down.

Best wishes

lbl

Hi Donna, have you got an HR department where you work? have you got a staff handbook as they normally outline whether you employer is going to enhance your benefits with either 50% of you salary for a period of time.

I know how scary this can be but, hang in there it will work out. You will be entitle to other benefits, its just a matter of identifying what.
ACAS are also good to talk to.

zoezoe_3

Donna

You will be entitled to SMP for 9 months which is 90% of salary for 6 weeks and then £100 odd foe the rest. You can choose to return to work early if you like but childcare in my area cost £1000 a month anyway so I never went back...

You will also get child benefit which is aroudn £17 a week for a first child.

You will probably also get tax credits go to https://www.entitledto.co.uk to get an idea of how much. You need to enter just your partners salary and pretentd that you have a baby and it will tell you how much you would get if you had an income of £0 for a year. the first £100 weekly of SMP is not counted as income and you can have upto 12 montsh off on maternity leave.

If you are entitled to the higherlevel of taxcredits (and I think you will be on 14k income) you can get the sure start grant of £500 but this wont happen until after the baby is here.

Also you can get lots of cheap baby clothes and equipment second hand. My partner is a high earner and we still choose to get most of our stuff second hand and then sell it on again.

Finally, congratulations !!

Zoe

india

Have a look on the new maternity entiltlement coming into effect on the 1st of April 2007. There's information on https://www.tiger.gov.uk