In desperate need of some advice - maternity pay

[didyouscoredarling]

I'm not entitled to Maternity Allowance because I earned £0 during the 13 week test period (I was on maternity leave during that period)

Because my average for that is £0, I'd get 0.

Anyway, I'm wondering what else I can claim instead? I'm on maternity leave from work. I would qualify for carers allowance (I have a disabled DC), but not sure I would be eligible since I'm actually employed and earn over the amount limit (when I'm not on mat leave).

Does anyone know?

You need to have earned at least £30 a week for 26 weeks in a 66 week Windows, how long were you in Matt leave for? Did you work before that periods of mat leave or are you working now?

I didn't qualify for SMP for my second as f
got pregnant on my first maternity leave BUT my work maternity policy was worded badly so they paid me anyway, just couldn't claim their share back. Might that be a possibility?

This website is really helpful:
maternityaction.org.uk/advice/maternity-pay-questions/

It says:
"To get MA:

you need to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks (they do not need to be in a row) out of the 66 weeks before your expected week of childbirth, and
you can find 13 weeks (they do not need to be in a row) in which you earned over £30 per week on average. You should choose the weeks in which you earned the most."

Right, so I started work with my employer

14th September 2020.

I went off on mat leave (maternity allowance) on 21st January 2021. (Baby born and passed away)

I never went back to work before starting maternity leave again on 26th October 2021. However, I am still employed by the same employer that I was on 14th September 2020 start date

This baby wasn't due until Feb 2022 but came very early

Thanks for any help

I would speak to Citizens advice in first instance- they should be able to advise what you are entitled to.

We’re you still getting paid maternity allowance during that time?

I calculate there's you're 13 week period from when you started work to when you went on your first mat leave, did you earn at least £30 every week?

So sorry for your loss, sounds like you've had an awful time of it