Maternity allowance - fell pregnant on maternity leave

[kimbob89]

Hi, gosh I'm so confused! Basically I left on maternity leave Feb 2013 to have my baby March 2013. I received SMP for 39 weeks. I decided to leave my job because my partner found a job in a different location. I also found out I was pregnant and am due July 2014. I need to have worked 26 weeks in 66 weeks before baby is due, which I have if being on maternity leave is classed as working?

If anyone can help it would ease my mind a lot, thanks!

 

[newbie1992]

My terms and conditions with my employer state that maternity leave is classed as accrued time you have been working there, and so it lets you still be eligible for bonuses and annual leave, so i would say yes it can be counted, you have technically been employed by them for that long, so I would say so. But as you have probably heard elsewhere, best to check with your employer.

 

[kimbob89]

thanks so much for replying! I did accrue annual leave whilst on leave and used some of the money I was owed from that to pay back some occupational pay as I decided not to return. Hope I qualify the money would come in so handy for us.

 

[Pearls18]

The 9 months count as working but I think the unpaid 3 months might not because I know I can't get working tax credits for childcare in those 3 months only.