Maternity Allowance - HELP!!!

[kazjam10]

Hi All,

I sent my forms off for Maternity Allowance a few weeks back. I am now 38weeks pregnant. I've had all my forms back asking me to send in an SMP1 from my OLD employer (I did include one from current employer which stated not eligable as not been there long enough) the reason being I was employed by old company during 15th week.

Here's the issue .. my Old employer is no longer trading and dont really have a way to get hold of them.

The letter does say that if I have trouble contacting old employer to speak to Inland Revenue, i dont get what they would have to do with it tho??

As the MA letter took a week to get back to me im on a bit of a timeframe with having a baby due any day, 3yr old twins and being a lone parent I don't want to have to be going back and forth.

Can anyone perhaps give me any ideas what the Inland Rev would do or shall i just go back to MA and tell them my employer doesnt exist.

Thanks for your help and advice

 

[MrsRH]

the inland revenue (or now HMRC) will have deatils of your NI contributions which are all that's really needed for you to claim MA.

I'd speak to the job centre plus again , tell them you can't get the documents They will be able to contact HMRC on your behalf via your national insurance number to get the info.

explain your home cirumstances and tell them you are very stressed and need the money!!!

lots and lots of luck, hun
xxx

 

[HCB]

If you were working for the other company into your qualifying week they would want to find out if you had worked for them for 26 continuous weeks because if you had then you would be applying for SMP and they would want to know why you can't get it form them. If, however, they are no longer trading then you need to let HMRC know.

The company I worked for went under when some of the women working there were pregnant and this is what we found out (it comes from HMRC handbook for employers re SMP):

What do I do if my business becomes insolvent?
If you become insolvent after the start of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth and before the start of your employee’s pay period, HMRC will pay your employee’s SMP. If you become insolvent during the SMP pay period, HMRC will pay your employee’s SMP from the week in which you became insolvent. You should advise your employee to contact the Statutory Payment Disputes Team on 0191 22 55221. It will also help if you or the administrator, liquidator or the other similar office can let us know which of your employees are affected so we can pay them as soon as possible.