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Maternity Allowance after OMP runs out

8 replies

crazymuseummumtobe · 01/10/2019 11:32

Hi all - I wonder if anyone can advise on a weird maternity pay situation I'm in.

I started a new job on 17 July this year. I am due with DC1 on 23 Jan 2020. Happily, I'm going to qualify for maternity pay from my employer (first 6 months at full pay), as they are switching to a new maternity policy of Day 1 Rights on 1 Jan 2020, removing the need to have worked for them for 6 months before my Qualifying Week.

However, I've just learnt this morning that I won't qualify for the SMP I thought I would be getting for months 7-9 of my mat leave - as SMP is subject to government criteria, which I won't meet as I've not been in my job long enough. (Rude!)

I've put my details through the gov.uk Maternity Allowance calculator, and it looks hopeful that I may qualify for MA instead of SMP. But, does anyone know if I can start to claim Maternity Allowance so long after the birth of my baby. I'd be looking to claim it only for months 7-9.

I'd be 'returning to work' at 9 months, but then using up all the Annual Leave and Bank Holidays I'd accrued whilst off, so actually returning closer to month 10 or 11.

Any thoughts welcomed!

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crazymuseummumtobe · 01/10/2019 12:51

Bump - can anyone advise? Thanks.

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Rainbowhairdontcare · 01/10/2019 12:56

Yes you can :) I'm in a very similar situation, didn't qualify for SMP but employer is giving me enhance maternity pay.

What will happen is that you'll receive 39 weeks of MA (about £600) a month on top of whatever pay you get from your employer.

In my case this will allow me to have a longer Maternity Leave than planned.

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crazymuseummumtobe · 01/10/2019 13:51

@Rainbowhairdontcare - interesting, thank you! So are you claiming Mat Allowance fully on top of what you're getting from your employer as Enhanced Maternity Pay? Should I put the application form in sooner rather than later then?

I did find it curious that while the MA calculator asks about earnings in the run-up to due date, it doesn't ask what EMP your employer will give.

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Rainbowhairdontcare · 01/10/2019 14:13

It's because the MA is given to people who have no accyes to SMP. Whatever your employer gives you is out of good will so to speak.

In a nutshell yes I'm getting 12 weeks full pay (my employer) + 39 weeks of MA