maternity pay, do I qualify?

[bumbleandbumble]

I read that you need to work for 26 weeks in order to get SMP.

Does it count that I worked for 1 year as a maternity cover (it was a one year contract) and then recently, when the maternity contract finished, they have offered me a full time role. So does my qualifying period start from when I first started working there or does it start from when they offered me the full time position?

If you have been working continuously I believe it starts from the day you were first employed.

Were you an employee? I was self employed with the twins so got zilch.

If you don't get SMP sounds like you will get Maternity allowance. There's an eligibility calculator you can do online if you google.

I am an employee. I have a contract....but I really need the full pay. Its just that my first year it was a temporary, one year contract...now the job is permanent. This is why I am confused. Its been well over 26 from the beginning or does the beginning only count when they offered the permanent role???

Continuously working? From the beginning.

Get into the gov.uk website and use the calculator on there - it's great. And very simple information etc.