maternity entitlements (confused!!!!!!!)

[angel75]

hi all hope you can help me?im 33wks pregnant and have been told from my work that i was not entitled to smp as i had not paid enough stamp,and so have just put my claim forms in at the job centre last week to claim from them starting next month, but gone into work today and been given letter saying the following.
unfortunately your normal weekly earnings are insufficient for you to qualify for the full maternaty payments.you will therefor recieve the following payments.
(a) for the first 8wks of your absence you will recieve your normal weekly pay.
(b) for the following 12wks you will recieve half of your normal weekly pay (in line with statutory pay ).
so do i get my normal weekly pay and smp together???
or will my work just pay me for the first 8wks and i then get my smp after with my half of wages???
thanks angel75

[beverleymot]

thats strange- i work for ryanair- the day of my first flight i found out i was pregnant and i have been on unpaid leave since and they r giving me maternity pay! look into that if i was you- go to citizens advice cos they should give u something xx