Maternity leave and 30 hours eligibility

[auberginesandcourgettes]

I'm now on statutory maternity pay and just reconfirmed my eligibility for 30 hours childcare today. It asked if I earn £120/week before tax, which I do, but as my pension and childcare vouchers are paid through salary sacrifice, my taxable "pay" ends up being less. Do you think it matters?

Also, does anyone know what happens during the last 3 months of maternity leave (unpaid). When I next reconfirm in May, I would be looking at one month on stat mat pay (June), then two months unpaid (July and August). Would I still be eligible or do you have to be earning for the whole three months?

There is a 3 month grace period which will cover unpaid maternity leave period. My understanding is nothing should be deducted from smp so something has gone strange with your payroll (vouchers may be stopped).

I thought vouchers couldn’t be deducted and the employer had to pay them instead she loop hole

That's right, you don't have to pay for the vouchers.

I was also wondering the same... double check re your vouchers, my (very kind!) employer covers the cost of them once I drop down onto smp only, they’re not meant to deduct anything inc pension, union payments etc from smp.