Maternity allowance eligibility

[ForeverBubblegum]

Just got a positive test result, and whilst a wonderful surprise, it’s at quite an inconvenient time. I’m due to start a year at uni next month (think I’ll have to take a break after 2 terms, and finish year after) so won’t be able to get SMP. I’m just finishing a shorter course that I had to do to get in to the one in September, so I left my job at the end of March.

Based on my calculations of dates I will have worked for 11 weeks at the beginning of the 66 week period. I’m still on the system at my old job (haven’t had P45) as I said I could cover odd shifts if they were desperate. If I ask I’m sure they would give me another couple of shifts so I will have 13 weeks pay slips to send.

What I’m not sure about is if the time since March where I haven’t done any work, but still technically been under a zero hour contract, would count towards the 26 weeks of employment.

Anyone had experience of this who could confirm?

Anyone?

I think if you have an employment contract even though you were not earning that still counts. To get definitive advise I would give Maternity Action's helpline a call and they will be able to talk you through it.

Good luck with it all - and you may not have to defer uni. I know someone who got pg and the uni were very accommodating re requirements for lectures/seminars and turning stuff in and she made it work!

Hi excitedbutconfused, thanks for answering.

That was my take on, why else would they specify 13 had to be over £30, which almost all paid work will be. I was just checking I wasn’t wilfully misunderstanding it to my advantage.

Glad to hear your friend managed to juggle uni and baby, I haven’t talked to the uni yet as I only just found out, plus it’s still early days so anything could happen. When I do I’ll ask if there’s any flexibility with timing, maybe if I can get the placements done before baby arrives I’ll be able work on assignments from home, so it could work. I already have one DS, so will be rushing between childcare anyway, but the newborn phase was pretty full on first time round so add a toddles and an rather intensive course to the mix and I’m not sure how I’ll cope.

Just wish I’d had a crystal ball, we deliberated for ages about having DC2 before or after uni so if I hadn’t already left work I would have happily deferred the whole course until next year. Unfortunately there’s no going back now, I need to start the course to get the finance, and there’s no way well manage for the 9 months before baby arrives without it, so I’ll just have to make in work one way or another.

My friend actually had two DC one in childcare and the newborn. It was tough but she was surprised how good uni were so I hope yours is similar and you can work it out.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you and definitely ring MA if you have any further technical questions