How is maternity pay calculated?

[Confusedhousehunter]

My work maternity policy mentions the qualifying week as being 15 weeks before the week you are due to give birth.
Is it worked out based just on that week as an HR friend has said its worked out based on earnings in the 2 months prior to the 15th week?
I really need to know but it's too early to explain to people why. I'm set to start earning quite a bit more from one week before my 15th week.

You could speak to payroll directly and see if they could explain how it works in your place. How early are we talking though? You have to tell your work by the same date. Are you considering changing your job between now and your 24th week?

It's based on the 8 weeks prior to the 25th week (roughly the last 2 months pay beforehand)

I'm not changing jobs just going back full time. I was hoping that i would get mat pay based on being paid a full time rate during the 15th week but it seems not.

I'm only 6 weeks so way too early to speak to payroll.