Maternity pay and UC

[louu19]

Hello,

So this is my first baby, i am overwhelmed and i am struggling to figure out how much i am actually entitled to with UC and Maternity Pay. Some sites says they take into account your whole maternity pay as its classed as income and they take pound for pound and others are saying your entitled to around £300 and then anything on top of that 55% is taken.

I am going to be a single parent and i am currently working two jobs so can try a save. but I'm desperate to try and get my finances in order as i do not want to struggle being off on maternity. Can someone help please as its driving me insane trying to figure it out.

[Mrsttcno1]

Hi OP, it depends what maternity pay you will be entitled to. Will you be receiving Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance?

[louu19]

Hello, sorry it will be stat maternity pay x

[Mrsttcno1]

Ah fab, so as far as I know statutory maternity is treated as “earnings”, it’s mostly disregarded when calculating UC because of the work allowance and taper. Congratulations x

[Bromptotoo]

If you're on SMP, or SMP topped up by contractual maternity pay, then they count as earnings and, after a work allowance, will be subject to a taper.

Maternity Allowance, a state benefit paid to some people who cannot get SMP, is deducted £/£ from UC.

[louu19]

Ok that makes more sense! Thank you for your help xx