Due in February 2017 - thread #9

[twocatsandatoddler]

New thread - hope everyone finds this! I'll try and post the link in the old thread if it will let us go over 1,000 posts.

That and the thought of having needles stuck into me in labour is not an appealing one!

God no - not to me either!!

Mystery I haven't sent off for my MA yet as I'm waiting for the firm to come. By the sounds of the guy who I was talking to I doubt he'd be able to lick a stamp so I don't hold high hopes for receiving a form! The thing is, I actually have a lot of money in my account which was going to be for a deposit in a house. ( My inheritance from my parents dying) so I'm a bit nervous about applying as technically I'm not entitled to it. Am think we might just have to use that money. I'd still have a bit left but it feels so annoying having to spend what is my futures security when I've worked full time and paid taxes all my life apart from last year. x

SBS are you able to put transfer your money to someone else to 'look after.'

SBS Maternity Allowance isn't means tested so wouldn't be impacted by your savings. However, if you are looking for income support, then your savings would come it to play.

I think you said you did not work 26 weeks out of the last 66. If that's the case, then you probably don't qualify for MA though.

Hope whatever happens you don't have to use your deposit!

SBSparkles MA is not means tested. Your savings aren't taken into account. I think the advice you have been given by phone is incorrect! Londongirl I think posted the link to the MA form earlier in the thread, I followed it today to download it. Everyone can claim MA if they have worked a certain length of time in the last year, from what I made of the guidance notes. The form didn't ask about my savings or DH income etc just about my employment. Please don't give up!

Might be pushing it in terms of time and hassle, but you could always try to find a house you want to buy so you use the deposit before the baby arrives?

Cross posted with you Londongirl

The form asks for 13 weeks worth of payslips from the "qualifying period" which I think is something like the 66 weeks before baby due date. My qualifying period came out as some date in October 2015 to end of Jan 2017. So I just have to send payslips of 13 weeks worth of paid work which I did in that time period. Hope I have interpreted it correctly, the official guidance is very complex and confusing to be honest.

Mystery that sounds right. The qualifying period is a certain number of weeks before your due date and your work you did doesn't need to be continuous so most women who've worked even sporadically should qualify.

mystery I'm trying to work out if I will ve entitled to mat allowance as well. I don't work many shifts, just cover illness/leave but the website seems to suggest I would get something because I've worked at least 13 weeks during the relevant period and earnt more than £30 during those weeks. It's all very confusing though!

sparkles you would be entitled to MA... I found this on an advice page. U may not be entitled to stat mat pay as not worked long enough...

Thanks everyone!!! I'll send the form in and see what they say! Otherwise will have to use savings and buy a cheap house!!!

You are all so organised! I hadn't even started thinking about paperwork for maternity leave etc!

Went to pregnancy yoga again tonight. Really recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it. Much less achey now and really relaxed

Really Oneiroi? My work has asked me several times what my plans are and I have to submit it all along with my MATB1 form by 25 weeks (so in two weeks time). They are basically assuming I'll be just available to answer questions in January and will have handed everything over by Christmas!

Londongirl they know I'm pregnant and have been lovely about it but haven't asked me to confirm any dates for maternity leave or fill anything in yet. They mainly seem concerned about whether my desk is comfortable! They are really family friendly though, flexible with hours and working at home so I'm not worried. Two of my colleagues in my team have had babies in the last couple of years and they've been really supportive, good place to work. I'm still only 22 weeks but will need to organise it soon I guess. I thought the midwife would give me some documents when we get to the time work would need them, but I will ask her at the next visit. Been more wrapped up in planning to nursery and daydreaming recently!

Nice if they are not expecting anything much from you after Christmas though, hopefully you can just put your feet up! I think I'll need to work as close up to our due date as possible, so much on at the moment, and I'd rather keep as much of my leave for after the baby arrives as I can. Would love a few weeks off beforehand just to relax though But will have a break over Christmas and we have planned a sneaky week away at New Year so I guess I can't complain!

I'm really confused about mat allowance now too. If anyone has any clue can they help? Mine's a bit of a complicated one. Basically I was due to return to work after mat leave at the beginning of December 2015. I actually used holiday and didn't return until January but was paid for that period. I then worked until the end of march when I went on an unpaid 3 month sabbatical. At the end of my sabbatical at the beginning of July I switched to a zero hours contract where I am on retainer with my company and I work on an hourly rate. Unfortunately because of bastarding Brexit (I work in a sector that is very susceptible to market changes) I've only had a few hours work over the last 3 months but should get some more soon. So I'm employed but not earning however I was earning for 3-4 months at the beginning of the year. Does that mean I should qualify for something?

I'm pretty sure you will, because it's meant to be a backstop when you don't qualify for SMP. From the info and links people have posted here today it looks like you meet all the requirements.

That would be amazing! If I do I'll be better off than now!

Anyone else's bellybutton disappearing? My dh noticed recently mine is getting really flat!

oneiro I'm not trying to worry you but I would make sure you check you don't need to put something in writting before the 25 week mark to qualify for maternity pay. I'm under the impression this is the widespread rule and would hate for you to miss out. My DH has also had to let his work know formally before 25 weeks I am pregnant and he intends to take 2 weeks paternity when baba is born.

Both me and my hubby had to hand in copies of my MATB1 15 weeks before I intended to take maternity leave (so by week 25). He had to take a copy as I didn't work for the same employer - it may be worth checking as my midwife kindly did me 2 certificates (she said it's becoming more common for the partner's work to want to have a copy too).

Newmummy is right - you need to formally notify them, ie. in writing by week 25 if you don't have the MAT1B form. As I'm changing maternity care provider at 25 weeks I almost certainly won't have mine then but as long as you've notified it's ok.

Got to love the not sleeping longer than 5am (with the disturbed sleep) 😴😴😁

That's true with MATB1 form - you need to have notified your employer 15 weeks before due date, but you don't legally need to have given them the form by then (some employers will tell you you do - but they're wrong). I'm 25 weeks today and don't have my form, I don't see my community midwife between 16 and 28 weeks so I'll get it at my next appointment which is 15 November and give it to work then. They haven't asked for it yet.