Newbe needs help with SMP & CA

[marina46]

Hello

I'm new to mumsnet and was hoping for some advice.

i have DS age 12 and DD age 5 and am hoping to be pregnant again soon.

I work 10 hours a week (£90)and get DLA and CA for my DS. I wanted to know if anyone recieves carers allowance and how that affect Stat maternity pay or vice versa.I know i will get only 90% of £90 for 39 weeks but will it effect my CA?

thanks

[2shoes]

sorry can't answer(somone will)
but welcome to mn and the sn board.

[tipsycat]

bump

[5inthebed]

I'm on SMP and have been told I can't apply for CA until I stop receiving it. But this is because I get £117 per week. Not sure what the cut off salary is for CA though.

[cherrymonster]

i think (not totally sure) that the cut off point for ca is £90 a week. if you smp is 90% of £90, which is£81, you should still qualify for ca. hth

[marina46]

thanks

The cut off point is £95 per week for CA but the website said that other benefits may affect this, am i getting confused thinking that SMP is a benefit?

[Bonnycat]

Hi,i get CA and when i phoned up to ask about maternity allowance i was told i could not claim that and CA together.
HTH

[lou031205]

I think you can get MA and carers, but your carers will be reduced by however much your MA is. So if you get £50 per week MA, you won't get carers.

[Peachy]

Welcome toMN

you need the carers line I think

[marina46]

Hi thanks for your messages, i had now rung CA and they confirm the followng for anyone who is interested.

If you get Maternity Allowance you will not get CA as MA is a benefit that superceeds CA.

If you get Stat Maternity Pay at full rate (£117 per week) you will not get CA because this exceeeds the CA threshold.

However, as i already earn £90 per i will be entitled to SMP but only at 90% of £90 which is about £81 therefore as SMP is earnings not benefits and £81 is under the CA threshold i will get both (SMP at £81 and CA at £55.45)