UK Maternity Pay

[Nessicle]

I agree hun - to clarify to others we don't mean people who genuinely need and deserve benefits before anyone starts getting defensive lol. We mean the lowlifes who have never done a days work and are screwing and fiddling the system for all they can get!

That must be hard with your husband being in the army

I'm lucky OH's mum can help look after the baby for free as she doesnt work so we're so grateful for that but if we had to fork out £40 a day for childcare it just wouldn't be worth going back to work!

 

[Aphrodite]

Well I went to the council yesterday to see if we could get any help with our housing and council tax as we're really struggling as DH hasn't been working much. We're entitled to something like 65p a week now. However, if DH stopped work tomorrow and I am entitled to just one benefit (which Im finding out today) then we will be BETTER off than we are now. How crazy is that? The man at the office said, Im notgoing to tell you to go on benefits, but you need to seriously consider whats best for you then he went on to say a few more things that basically meant he was hinting that we perhaps should do it. Just incredible how this country rewards laziness and punishes the hard working people who keep this country going.

 

[Nessicle]

Seriously?! that's crazy 65p!! yeah it seems those who work are punished for that and those who scam the system because they are too lazy and who are wrongly claiming benefits get rewarded! Boils my blood!

 

[Starmoon]

Yes, it is extremely frustrating, when the "Jeremy Kyle" types that live on my estate have free housing, spend most of the time in the pub and get everything given to them when they have kids.

And on a side note, I am sick of these same people bleating on facebook and joining groups called "my kids mean everything to me" when all I see them do is scream and shouts and them in public. I wonder if they have kids just to get their houses and benefits!

Sorry, I have gone a bit off my own topic here, but these people drive me mad!

 

[FlatShoes]

I agree!!!

Argh, why is our system of government/benefits so unfair!!!!

 

[Nessicle]

lol the Jeremy Kyle types - plenty of those near where I live - the worst thing is they're proud of it! They should be ashamed!

 

[Starmoon]

Ha ha yes they are!

Well I have found a copy of my organisations policy and managed to secretly print it out!
It seems I am actually in a good position, 6 weeks @ 90%, 12 weeks at 50% PLUS SMP, then I can take my accrued annnual leave at 100% meaning I should be able to take 22 weeks off comfortably. Am still going to save as much as I can though, best to be prepared if I want to take more time than that.

However I am still really angry about those who are not in a good position, it is making me really cross!

 

[blondey]

Starmoon, it sounds like your works' policy is the same as mine. I suppose it's better than the bare minimum so we should be at least a bit grateful!

We currently live in a flat at the moment (I think, well hope, adequately bit enough for me, hubby and bubs, and the cat!) So we are lucky that we are able to save a bit more than a lot of people as our mortgage isn't as horrendous as a lot of people's. But everytime we need to dip into that savings pot, thats our house deposit decreasing so obviously it would be nice to get a bit more each week in SMP.

However I do think we should feel a bit grateful that we get what we do. I have read on here before about women (who live in America I think) who get absolutely no money and are having to go back to work 8 weeks after giving birth. I understand everyone saying that as we have all paid into the system for many years that we should be entitled to more, but could you imagine the bureaucratic nightmare that would be in trying to determine who is entitled to what. Also the tax we pay isn't just to fund ourselves, it goes to paying for other things for everyone including cildren, the elderly and disabled such as health care etc. (and it seems more often than not lining MP's pockets and giving them allowances for gold cutlery for their second homes when they live commuting distance to London!!! Argh!!)

I know the system seems flawed, and it is, as is the case with most government systems at the moment. But the country is broke so I don't think we can expect any radical changes for the forseeable future.

Lets just hope the system is better for when our bubbas have bubbas of their own.

Rant over
xxx

 

[kanga]

it

 

[Quartz]

To be honest I think our maternity is really good - have a look at what other countries get (America, New Zealand, Australia) and then tell me its bad!

With regard to paying taxes we dont just pay for maternity pay we pay for so much else. I agree with the poster so said more should be from the company a lot of companies automatically go with the Government minimum but some do give more. SMP can be claimed back by your employer (not exactly sure how) and even though it is taxed its not much as it is around most peoples tax free amount and you do get around £520 a month - if it was raised a bit most of that would go into tax.

Also dont forget at the moment at least you get child tax credits and child benefit on top we got another £120 a month and we were at the top of the limit and you can apply for child tax credits straight after the baby is born

 

[Starmoon]

Kanga, no I will not get jus SMP, the lowest I will get will be from weeks 7-18 which will be 50% pay plus SMP which is £390 a week so I am feeling very lucky at the moment!

 

[Nessicle]

We won't qualify for tax credits unfortunately! I also don't qualify for the Sure Start (I know that's being scrapped though). I am grateful for the HiP so I can buy lots of the smaller stuff for baby. I am trying to pay off any oustanding debts and put money aside whilst pregnant so we don't struggle too much so can't afford to buy lots of stuff. I know that's my problem though I don't expect any help to buy things.

Plus I live in England not any other country so although I know other countries are far worse off it doesnt detract from the situation we have with these jeremy kyle types who do sod all and we're expected to pay for them and get no help ourselves. I'm not slack lol I do know our taxes go elsewhere too but for the measley 6 months SMP I'll be getting it would be nice for a bit more help given we pay an absolute fortune in taxes and NIC to support others!

We used to get 90%, then 50% then SMP in 3 monthly installments but they've just changed it last month (typical) to 3 months full pay then 6 months SMP.

 

[rachael872211]

Starmoon, I work for the NHS and your policy sounds very much like mine. I take home £1400 a month and I have worked out that when I take ML it will be £1200. Cos its 50% of your wages and £125 SMP per week (i think) Its when I go back to work we're going to struggle. I really wanted to go part-time but i'm now starting to think it won't be possible....... x

 

[bekki_d18]

I work for NHS and it is 8 weeks full, five months 90% and then two SMP and then nothing. I thought i was not doing too good but compared to others I have a good deal

 

[rachael872211]

bekki, yours is totally different to mine :-S

 

[suzib76]

it wont be 50% of your wages + smp

 

[blondey]

I'm also a government worker like the NHS girlies above (civilian police staff) and we get 12 weeks at 50% PLUS SMP. You are entitled to SMP from week 6 (which the company will claim back from the government) and the 50% wages is a sweetner on top of that from the company so I can't see why you wouldn't be entitled to both. The only catch is that I have to go back to work after mat leave for 3 months otherwise I will have to pay that money back.

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether that 50% is calculated pre-tax or after tax. (hopefully pre tax!!!!)

xx

 

[suzib76]

thats fab then i didnt realise you got smp on top of your 50% i have only known of people (private companies though) who got an enhanced package but they never got the smp too

 

[rachael872211]

Blondy hopefully before tax!

Suzib, my job drives me crazy sometimes but the maternity package has been one of the things kept me going. x

 

[blondey]

I'm guessing the privatre co's kind of include the SMP in their bonus package Suzib and just claim the 125 a week back.

I am now wondering though whether I'm right, so just text by friend who works in the same office as me and has an 18month old. She should know.

The only thing that makes me think we get both is the clause that I have to pay it back if I don't return to work afterwards. As they can't make me pay back the SMP and I get paid 300 a week (take home) so 50% is 150, which is only slightly more that SMP would they really be bothered about 100 a month?

Fingers crossed thats the case!
xx