SMP and sick pay

[Betsiesowner]

I’m 23 weeks pregnant and having some health issues plus being under major stress with my job role. I’m considering asking my doctor to sign me off so I can rest for a while. I have been told that if I am signed off long enough to need sick pay that it will affect my SMP. I haven’t been able to find anything online to clarify how it will change or how much I will lose, so can anyone advise me further please?Tia

SMP is based on your income in certain weeks of pregnancy. It looks like once you get to the Sunday of your qualifying week (15 weeks before due date) any sickness won't effect the calculation.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance#statutory-maternity-pay-smp

Exactly as @Jenn3112 says. After 24 weeks pregnant it doesn't matter. although be aware if you're still signed off at 34 weeks pregnant your employer can start your maternity leave.

Thank you both that really helps. If I can’t hold out for another 2 weeks do you know how much my SMP will drop by per week? I have a doctor appointment on Friday and I think they will sign me off based on my issues my midwife has forwarded them.

It depends how much you earn. I think as long as you earn a minimum of £123 during weeks 15-24 you should still qualify. If not there is always maternity allowance? But if you claim UC this gets taken off pound per pound. Is there any chance of using some annual leave for the next two weeks?

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility

£123 per week

Thank you I really appreciate it. I don’t have any annual leave unfortunately, and I don’t get paid for sick time. I’ll have to see what my doctor says and go from there, thanks for your help

It's weeks 17-25 of pregnancy that determines your SMP and I imagine it's an average of those 8 weeks that's used. If you were purely on SSP in all of those weeks then you wouldn't qualify for SMP as the SSP rate is lower than the earnings limit for SMP. If its only a couple of weeks at SSP then it shouldn't affect it too much.

With regards to what a PP said they can only start your maternity leave early if you are off with a pregnancy related illness in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy I.e. from 36 weeks, not 34.