Maternity Allowance

[Louise82]

I have not been at my current job long enough to be entitled to maternity pay so I am going to claim maternity allowance. Does anybody know whether I can save my holiday up and take my holiday at the same time as I start my maternity leave and start claiming my allowance, so I will be getting paid leave and maternity allowance pay?

[loza]

yes you definately should. Iv been at my job 71/2 weeks and just found out im 5 weeks pregnant i will be getting the first 6 weeks of maternity at 90% of my current salary and thereafter it will be at the statutory rate so there fore i should be able to claim benefits on top of that. Are you sure what your company is doing is legal? I would check it out and make sure go to your local advice centre. Im so glad that my company is keeping me on as i would love to return after spending some time with my baby x good luck and let me know x

[pixie_woo]

Hi Louise. I too am not entitled to SMP so have started the process to claim Maternity Allowance.
I don't think you will be able to take your leave after you have started maternity leave; I would take the leave in the week/s before you go that way you'll have longer off and be paid for the entire time without worrying about over-taxing etc.