Need to ask someone in the know....

[Faythe]

Basically I lost my job back in October and since have not been able to get another.

I recently found out I am pregnant and am still wanting to get back into work to pull some money in.

My question is, is there a deadline that I need to get back into employment by to qualify for SMP?

 

[Dinah93]

You would need to have been employed roughly when you had your last period.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...ort/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

If you can find a job and are employed for 26 weeks of the 66 weeks until your due date you may get maternity allowance, but you'd have to find a job for that to happen.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...ort/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

 

[Faythe]

So basically, I am going to get nowt?

Thanks though hun. It confirmed my fears. Atleast I am not stressing myself out to get a job just for SMP.

I can now find a job I like and plan to stay in rather than keep swapping jobs.

 

[Dinah93]

Maternity allowance is at the same level as SMP, I don't know your exact dates but can you work backwards and work out how many if any of the 66 weeks before due date you've been employed? If you can find something now you should still get SMA.

 

[Halle71]

If you have worked for 26 of the 66 weeks before you go on maternity leave then you will receive MA which, as Dinah said is the same rate as SMP. The only thing you do not get is the first 6 weeks at 90% - all 9 months are a weekly rate of about £125.

Better than nothing!

 

[Faythe]

Thanks! Just hope someone accepts my job applications ASAP.

 

[aliss]

Congrats hunny

 

[Faythe]

Congrats hunny

Thank you hun!

I've missed you