So I was initially on a 6 month FTC from January 2024 which was extended to end at the end of December. I completed probation and everything was fine. The company was hoping to extend me or offer me a permanent position. However they can't guarantee the state of the company when I was hoping to return (March 2025) and told me to contact them around that time and they will see if they have anything for me role wise.
In the meantime HR have offered to lump sum me 39 weeks maternity leave in with my December pay.
My bills generally come to £1200 p/m and my lump sum before tax comes to around £8000. However after tax and NI, I will only be able to be off work for around 3/4 months.
As I will technically be unemployed after December. Can I apply for Universal Credit or will it go against the lump sum SMP. I'm just very confused. And if I was hired back by the same company after 3/4 months, would i be required to pay the SMP back as its not the full term?
TIA