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Pregnancy

Maternity allowance

8 replies

MmmMalbec · 16/12/2016 13:30

Am I right in thinking that as long as you've been working for 26 weeks by the time you find out you're pregnant, then you'll be entitled to maternity allowance even if you don't carry on with the job?

I'm doing a physical zero hours contract job at weekends and I don't want to risk carrying on whilst pregnant and I know given the nature of the job they can't/ won't make allowances for me, so I'm hoping to quit after Christmas when I'll be around 7 weeks pregnant, all being well anyway.

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dementedpixie · 16/12/2016 13:40

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility - you can't claim until you are 26 weeks pregnant

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MmmMalbec · 16/12/2016 13:48

Oh sorry, I know that thanks, I just mean will I be entitled at 26 weeks if I haven't worked from the start?

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dementedpixie · 16/12/2016 13:52

You'll need to work it out using the eligibility criteria as you need to have earned a certain amount in 13 of the 66 weeks before the due date and needed to have been working for 26 of the 66 weeks too

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PeachBellini123 · 19/12/2016 13:43

Do you mean you'll quit when you're 7 months pregnant? As Pixie says you have to be earning a certain amount and worked for a certain number of weeks.

I'd be careful about quitting your job - I hope you have financial support as it'll be difficult to find another job and maternity allowance lasts for 9 months.

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MmmMalbec · 19/12/2016 13:55

Sorry I forgot to reply to this. Yes I've been working for long enough and have earnt enough as far as I can tell. It's only 26 weeks and more than £30 a week for 13 weeks. So quite a low threshold. I've looked in to it properly over the weekend.

No I mean 7 weeks. I'm a SAHM anyway and this has just been some extra cash, my husband is the main wage earner. I didn't even know it was possible to claim any maternity benefits on the back of a job like this until a friend told me. We can survive without the extra money but it would be a good help if we got it.

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AreWeThereYet000 · 07/01/2017 12:00

You have to have been in paid employment for 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date x

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babynumber2xx · 09/01/2017 20:31

Your right. If you go onto google and put in maternity allowance test period you can work it out. My test period is from june 12th up to my edd 17th sept. As long as you have worked 26 weeks with in the test period your entitled. Doesnt have to be in A row either;) you can make a claim when you reach 26weeks and can get payments 11weeks before baby is due xxx