So...I've looked a bit online at the various sites and can't quite find the info I need for my specific circumstances. It may well be that my brain is mush right now (mid house move, end of pregnancy, general life mayhem) but if anyone can help me understand then I'd be really grateful.
I work p/t on an employed basis, and am planning to take a year's mat leave, but my income is JUST under the threshold required to receive maternity pay from my employer. My understanding is that I have to claim SMP directly....but from whom and how?
I have the opportunity to do some home based freelance work (different company) during the period of mat leave. I THINK this is allowed, but are there things I should be considering with regards to this? Am I likely to end up having to pay back SMP because I've earned during the same period? When I declare my self employed income through the self assessment process, is there a function to also declare the SMP I've had?
I'm very anxious not to do anything underhand or get myself into a position where I've claimed something I'm not entitled to, so please lay it out for me if there's something glaringly obvious I'm overlooking.