Qualifying week for mat pay

[matpay]

Hello! So I've just found out I'm expecting, very early days, and the timing is a strange one. I had requested a short 'career' break for two months later this year, which I agreed would be unpaid. Turns out my 'qualifying week' (15th week before) is smack bang in the middle of this unpaid period! I've been on hold to ACAS all day trying to get some advice on this but unsure how it all works? I'm employed by the company on their payroll, but if I don't have any income during this time, I guess I won't be entitled to the maternity pay? My company pay the minimum so 90% for the first 6 weeks the SMP for the rest. I was under the impression those 6 weeks of pay is based on how much you earn around the qualifying week, and you receive 90% of this. Anyone with any experience in this or any insight?

Congratulations!
Yes is 90% of average earnings for first 6 weeks then SMP. Average earnings are worked out over a 'reference period' which is usually the 8 week period starting before the qualifying week and ending at the last normal payday on, or before the Saturday of the qualifying week.
Check here for more details - there are some worked examples too
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-maternity-pay-manually-calculate-your-employees-payments#terminology-explained

@LemonGelato thanks so much for you response, that was really helpful