Hours being cut in 3 weeks, need advice :(

[rm1234]

Hi there I'm 20 weeks pregnant and I've found out my hours are being cut at work, from 24.5 to 11.5. This means I'm going to be about £100 down a week my partner is a full time student and works 14 hours a week, I don't know what to do what I can and can't claim, and the fact that even though I've been working those hours for almost a year, my maternity pay will only be £90 a week (according to my employer) anyone else in this position? Advice needed please before I go insane Thankyou xxx

 

[bubblychick]

I don't really have much advice but to speak to someone in Citizens Advice and see what you're entitled to I found out yesterday I'm not entitled to SMP and have to put in a claim for MA which means ill get 43.93 a weeks as that's 90% of my average basic wage sorry I can't help much

 

[Abz1982]

Im confused..........as i read it as you get SMP or 90% but not less than SMP.............it makes no sense!

 

[Mrs.S.]

Im confused..........as i read it as you get SMP or 90% but not less than SMP.............it makes no sense!

I'm pretty sure its smp or 90% of your weekly average wage whichever is lowest.

OP is there anyway that your oh could increase his hours to 24 hours a week? that way you would be entitled to help from tax credits once lo is born. I'm pretty sure you should be entitled to income support to top up your earnings just now and you'll probably be entitled to some help with rent etc. I agree you should pop along to citizens advice xxx

 

[Abz1982]

Im confused..........as i read it as you get SMP or 90% but not less than SMP.............it makes no sense!

I'm pretty sure its smp or 90% of your weekly average wage whichever is lowest.

OP is there anyway that your oh could increase his hours to 24 hours a week? that way you would be entitled to help from tax credits once lo is born. I'm pretty sure you should be entitled to income support to top up your earnings just now and you'll probably be entitled to some help with rent etc. I agree you should pop along to citizens advice xxx

Yeah, but how they say its confusing: Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks, usually as follows:

the first 6 weeks - 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax
the next 33 weeks - £135.45 or 90% of your AWE (whichever is lower)
You can’t get less than the statutory amount but you can get more if your company has a maternity scheme.

Anyway..............OP, I think that you should see if you can do more hours. as its between certain weeks that they take teh snapshot to calculate the amount you will get.

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you must:

have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth - known as the ‘qualifying week’
earn on average at least £107 a week
give the correct notice
give proof you’re pregnant

I must say though..........it kinda sound slike your employer is trying to get out of giving you smp!

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-maternity-pay