Am I entitled to SMP/ Mat Allowance or similar?

[AnotherTeacherMum]

Hi

I am currently a PGCE student so my income is made up of a bursary from the Teacher Development Agency and some Student Finance.

I am also 12 weeks pregnant, I will qualify early July, my last bursary payment is 5 June. My baby is due end of August.

I am hoping to apply for teaching jobs starting early 2014.

I am really worried about how we will manage in the time I won't be at work. My dh works full time but is in a low income job and we have 2 older dc.

I know you can claim tax credits (we get a little now) but it still won't be much with dh working full time even though he has a low paid job.

Does anyone know if there is any type of maternity pay /allowance I can claim?

Thanks

You need to contact the teacher development agency who are paying your bursary, you may be eligible for SMP from them. You wouldn't be eligible for maternity allowance.

I doubt as a student you will be entitled to MA as it is based on NI contributions.

I received MA despite not paying tax or NI in my minimum wage 10/15 hours pet week minimum wage job. Might be worth you looking into this.

When did you last work?

I turned out to be eligible for MA because I had worked 13 weeks within a 66-week qualifying period prior to my baby's birth. If I were you I'd send for the forms, fill in and send off hopefully - you never know! They have a lot of associated explanation which comes with the form - the website made me think I wasn't eligible but the form made me realise I was.

Interestingly (although not relevant to you op) receiving SMP counts as being 'in employment'. I sent off 4 months' worth of payslips which had SMP clearly marked on them and got a letter back saying 'yep, you qualify, your money will start very soon'. I was amazed! I did have 2 babies within 13 months of each other though so I imagine not many people have discovered this.

ahh, I have been a student for 4 years now- I did a 3 yr English degree and then straight into the PGCE.

Looks like it will be tight belts and a very early return to work (hoping I can get a job!)

Thanks for the advice x

Could you get a part time / temp job now if you did (you would have to be very speedy!) If you work for 26 weeks before birth you could get some mat allowance. (I realize you might have too much on with your course).

Eligibility

You can only get MA if you cannot get SMP from your employer.

To qualify for MA, you have to satisfy two basic rules:

the employment rule; and
the earnings rule
You have to satisfy these rules in a test period. The test period is the period of 66 weeks up to and including the week before the week your baby is due.

To get MA you must not be eligible for SMP from any employer.

I don't think you satisfy the criteria. Sorry.