any experts about on smp and such like?

[kerryk]

dh and i are seriously thinking about dc3, unfortunatly it will involve a lot more planning than our two dd's and i worry about money a lot.

dh's job is secure and not a problem but we use my pittence wage for extras such as donce claases/swimming lessons/ weekends away and would notice a diffrence without it.

i can post more details of my income tc if needed but basically i work for a registered charity (if that makes any diffrence) for 16 hours per week. the money that comes into the business is then used to pay wages and we dont have much 'reserve fund' in the bank account.

i dont earn enough to pay tax/n.i but my money is through the books and declared to tax credits.

for this kind of work would i be entitled to anything, i have tried looking on-line and i seen info about how employers can claim back smp that is paid to staff but wondered if that was only for staff who actually paid tax to begin with?

also would my job have to be left open for me or could they get rid of me if i was going to be a drain on them?

please excuse all the typos

To get SMP you must have been:
...
Earning before tax an average of £90.00 a week in 2008/9. This is called the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions (NI) and is the amount you have to earn to qualify for benefits. You have to earn more than this amount before you actually start paying NI.
www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp#caniget

So it sounds like you don't earn enough to qualify

thanks for that

by reading the links though it looks like i may be entitled to MA.

yes, duh - I meant to mention that.

Hi kerryk,
Not an expert, but you might find the following website useful: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm - if you go to the Work and Families (parents section) section and then pregnancy and maternity rights - you should find some information there that will help you to work out what you would be entitled to.
Hope that helps.

Sorry - wasn't quick enough - didn't refresh before posting!

no thats brilliant. thank you.

its horrible having to work out if we can afford another child or not, i know people say you always find a way but we are not exactly rolling in it as it is and dont want to put a strain on us.

you say you havent been paying NI? is that right?

no i dont pay tax or n.i. i dont earn enough for this.

does this mean i would not be entitled to ma as well?

.

see [[http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/ni17a/ma/index.asp#maelig here] for MA eligibility

I'll try that again....

here