Statutory Maternity Pay

[sarah :O)]

I've just found out exactly how much SMP is and am wondering how i'm going to pay my mortgage whilst earning �100 per week rather than �300 per week.  Will i be entitled to any benefits while on maternity leave? 

[ann_h]

That doesn't seem right.

I got 6 weeks full pay and 12 weeks half pay from my employer, I thought that was standard.

Have you checked this with your employer and CAB?

[sarah :O)]

I havent yet informed my employer of my pregnancy but I have checked my contract of employment and there is no mention of maternity leave or pay, knowing my employer he definitely wouldn't give any more than he had to.  I've checked out a few websites like tiger.gov.uk who show the statutory rights and that's how it looks to me!!!  Just when you don't need to be stressed hey!!!

[AllYourBase]

All companies are obliged to meet the stautory requirements, and many also go a stage(or many stages) further - try speaking to them sooner rather than later. They are obliged to consider your welfare but can't if they don't know! Go to http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/employers/employee_pregn ant.htm for more information.

However, it's up to nobody but yourself to pay your mortgage - did you not consider pregnancy as a future possibility when you bought the house? Some lenders will allow a repayment "holiday" which should be looked into.

[nykkieberry]

You are eligible to receive statutory maternity pay (SMP) if you satisfy the following criteria:
(a) Have completed 26 weeks continuous service at the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth
(b) Be earning an amount equivalent to at least the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions (�79 per week April 2004 / �82 per week April 2005)
(c) Still be pregnant at the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth
(d) Have stopped working wholly or partly because of her pregnancy, or her confinement.

SMP is payable for a total of 26 weeks.  For the first 6 weeks of maternity leave, SMP is payable at the rate of 90% of the employee�s average weekly earnings.  The remaining 20 weeks will be paid at the current SMP rate, �106.00 per week April 2005 or 90% of the employee�s average weekly earnings if this is less than �106 per week.

So basically, yes, you will receive just over �100 a week for any remaining weeks of mat leave after the first six weeks unless you receive an enhanced package from your employer.

You will also receive child benefit of �80(?) a month and possibly working tax credits if your total income is less than 50k (i think) plus possible child care tax credits when you return to work. (Go to the IR site/tax credits to check out what you may be entitled to.)

I suggest that you start saving as much as you can each month - we scrimped for the 9 months before mat leave to pay the mortgage so I could have the full time off and not have more than the usual money worries.

You may also be able to take a payment holiday from your mortgage. And bare in mind that you will save in other areas, especially socially, whilst you are pregnant and a new mum. Babies cost money but they are priceless - it's worth being skint, honest!  

Good luck and take care x

[sarah :O)]

Thank you so much for all your help, i've started saving already and looking ito inerest only mortgage.