redundancy and statutory maternity pay

[ifthegrassisgreeneritsfake]

Hello, advice wanted please.

Found out yesterday that I am going to be made redundant!

Bit of a shock, but no foul play. The whole department is being made redundant and there isn't any realistic possibility of an alternative job being offered in a commutable distant.

I will be 22 weeks pregnant when my employment comes to an end. From what I've read online, I just miss the time frame for being eligible to claim statutory maternity pay. Can someone clarify this for me?

I do understand I will be eligible for Maternity allowance, but I wanted to avoid this as it has tax implications.

Is there anyway I can ask my employer to keep me employed for a few more weeks, until I qualify for SMP? Advice and suggestions appreciated.

You can ask.
Mat allowance isn't subject to tax & NI though where SMP is, what are the tax consequences?

I thought the first £100 of SMP was disregarded for income purposes? Whereas all of MA is classed as income?

I think the first £100 of smp is only disregarded in relation to tax credits ? Do you claim tax credits ?

Yes

You would need to be employed in week 25 to qualify for SMP

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Employees must:

be on your payroll in the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth

give you thecorrect notice

give you proof they’re pregnant

have beencontinuously employed by youfor at least 26 weeks up to any day in the qualifying week

earn at least £118 a week (gross) in an 8-week ‘relevant period’

If you are on tax credits then all of MA is ignored for tax credits purposes, whereas only the first £100 of SMP is. So depending on exactly how much you earn you could be better off receiving MA. (In general SMP is better as you get more for the first 6 weeks)

Different situation on UC where it is better to be on SMP than MA.