Maternity pay

[Yorkshirelass198]

Hi, I apologise if this isn’t in the right area to post.. I was wondering if someone could help as I cannot find any information anywhere.
I am currently on maternity leave and receiving SMP from my previous employer (I was made redundant at 30 weeks pregnant)
My daughter is now 4 months old and I have become pregnant again (unplanned but nevertheless a wonderful surprise)
So, I am classed as unemployed but as mentioned receiving SMP through my previous employer as I met the requirements during the qualifying period.
For our next arrival - Im not holding my breath but am I entitled to any form of SMP, maternity allowance or any financial help or will I having to do my next bout of maternity leave completely unpaid? If anyone could help please. Thanks

Have a read of this:

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

I don't think you will be entitled to SMp as you won't have worked or even been on mat leave for the qualifying weeks.

Depending on your partners earnings and savings you may be eligible for Uc especially when you have 2 babies. If you were you may not feel there is any point claiming MA as it is deducted pound for pound from UC. You would need to work out what would give you the most income.

You might just meet criteria for maternity allowance.

I don't think you'll meet criteria for MA. In the 66 weeks before this babies birth you have to have been earning for 26 weeks.

It depends if you're returning to work between now and the new baby's birth?

If not, you may be able to claim UC, depending on partners income

I think as other posters have said you might qualify for Maternity Allowance.

I don't think you'll qualify for SMP as you're not technically employed anymore. If you had been still employed you might have been entitled to SMP - there's an 8 week period SMP is worked out from. I think current rules are you need to earn a minimum of £120 a week in the 8 weeks prior to your qualifying week (15th week before the expected week of child birth).

Google Maternity Allowance claim form. Payments can start 11 weeks before your baby is due.

Congratulations!