Maternity allowance, help!!!

[Tyra86]

Wondering if anyone could shed any light on this for me??

I am 16 weeks pregnant and I am a temporary worker on a weekly reviewed contract through an agency. I need to be working there until october to fulfill the amount of working weeks necessary to claim maternity allowance. However I have not told my employer that I am pregnant and I have feeling that when I do they are going to lay me off before then to save them any hassle.

Can you buy NI stamps to top up what you need to claim mat allowance? Or does anyone know what rights I have as an agency worker in these circumstances if she was to lay me off there and then?

I live on my own with no partner and this is my first baby. I really need maternity allowance just to cover basic living expenses.

Any help would be much appreciated!!!

 

[MrsRH]

The agency cannot lay you off just because you are pregnant; it's classed as discrimination. But folks are cheeky and will give other reasons etc. Speak to the job centre about claiming MA and perhaps the citzen's advice about legal advice about how and when to tell the agency. they'll also help you with your legal rights if anything does happen.
Don't forget about other benefits you might be entitles to, tax credits, sure start grant, housing benefit etc if you are on a low income.

good luck, hun
THT
Rachael
xxx

 

[MrsRH]

ps I don't think you can buy NI top up stamps unfortunately : (

 

[Tyra86]

Thanks rachael,

Not too sure about what other benefits I am entitled to as I'm also a full time student and work part time to supplement this but know i am entitled to get MA.

Just wish I had a permanent contract rather than temping!! Will get onto JC tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks again Vicky xxx

 

[doumauk]

I started a new job when I was 10 weeks pregnant. It worked out Im not entitled to SMP but if i worked up until 37 weeks I would be entitled to MA. You have to have worked at least 26 weeks out of the 66 before your due date. They class a full week as whatever you work,if you work full or part time. I hope this is making sense. I find it so confusing. You should get child tax credits after baby is born which will be at the higher rate so you will be entitled to the 500 pound maternity grant. As long as you apply within 3months. You also get 190 pound HIP grant. If your not entitled to MA you should get incapacity benefit for 8 weeks I think and then go on to income support. You wont be left to manage without hun.

 

[Tyra86]

yes im hoping my employer will keep me on until October so I qualify, if not I will have to look for other work sharpish so I am entitled.

spoke to the job centre today and they said that if not I may qualify for income support 11 weeks before due date but they take into account my student loans then so will not get a great deal.

Its sooo confusing, it makes my brain throb!! So am I entitled to child tax credits if I dont work after baby comes? I dont think that I will be able to time wise what with my degree as well.

They should give you a big booklet when you first see the midwives to explain all this benefits business!!!

T

 

[Tyra86]

Thanks for the advice

Vicky xxx

 

[doumauk]

Yes you will get child tax credits im pretty sure of it. You can do your claim over the phone after you have registered your babys birth as they will need to see the birth certificate. I cant remember exactly what I got when Salim was first born. I was classed as single and had no income at all until he was 4 weeks old so I think I got 70 pounds a week child tax credits and 60.50 income support. I got income support for 16 weeks because after that I went back to work. Im an extra 120 a week better off working, Why people think being on benefits is great and you get everything I do not know because you dont lol It was a hell of alot more worthwhile for me to go back to work as soon as Salim was 5 months old. Alot more rewarding too. Remember after when you feel ready/want to go back to work or study you can get help with nursery fees too. I dont know alot about how it works though because my boy is looked after by family. hope this helps hun

p.s forgot to say, next time you see your midwife ask her if she has one of the folders they are supposed to give out.I think its called 'The parents guide to money' It will tell you alot more. Its in like a orange covered folder.