maternity pay after emigrating from the UK?

[Elastigrrrl]

Time to ask the experts...

I'm due in the spring, and normally would qualify for UK statutory maternity pay. However, there's a reasonable chance DH will get a job abroad and we'll all need to emigrate in late summer. I don't quite understand whether I could continue to claim maternity pay once we left; does anyone know, or can anyone suggest a helpful advice website?

I'm not a "scrounger" (whatever that actually means), honest; I just want to understand my options at this stage. It's also possible that if we do emigrate, we might not like it and decide to return within a year - in which case I would feel like a mug for not drawing on SMP during that time.

Thanks so much in advance.

I have a friend who did this when they emigrated to Australia. It doesn't matter where you are during your maternity leave- you could choose to travel the world if you wish!
Your entitlement remains until you hand in your notice. As long as you abide by the rules set by your HR dept with regards to informing them about your return or choosing not to return by the appropriate date and are certain that choosing not to return to work would not mean that you have to repay any portion of it then you are quite entitled to receive it.

As far as I know you are entitled to statutory maternity pay if you meet the normal eligibility even if you then resign later. It's a statutory entitlement... You just wouldn't get any additional occupational component or would have to pay it back.

From the EHRC:

Resignation
Once an employee satisfies the qualifying conditions for SMP, SMP is payable by you even if the employee subsequently resigns, is dismissed or advises her employer that she will not be returning to work from maternity leave. If this occurs prior to the start of maternity leave, payment of SMP may be triggered early.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/before-the-equality-act/guidance-for-employers-pre-october-10/guidance-on-managing-new-and-expectant-parents/managing-pregnant-women/maternity-leave-and-pay/

Thanks ladies! Just what I was hoping to hear. I thought I'd still be eligible even if I eventually resigned, but wondered if there might be a UK residency requirement. This is helpful, thanks Medea for the website.