Statutory Maternity Pay

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Possibly a silly question, but does my employer sort out my SMP and pay this to me or do I need to apply for it separately from the government?

You have to hand in your MATb1 form to your employer along with notification of when you would like your mateentity leave to start & you then get it from your employer unless you don't qualify in which case they will write & tell you.

Thanks :) that's what I was expecting but thought I'd best check!

When do you usually get your MATb1?

I normally receive them after the 20 week scan. (I work in HR)

I'm getting mine at my 25 week appointment.

They're issued at the antenatal appointment after the 20w scan, so 25w for a first time mum.

just to add to what PP have said you have to apply for SMP via your employer 15 weeks before your due date which makes it rather tight when you don't usually see your midwife until 25 weeks (for 2nd time mum's you don't see midwife until 28 weeks!) so best to put in mat leave application before you get your matb1 or ask midwife if she can send it to you in post in advance or get appt with GP if employer want the matb1 with your application and by the 15 week deadline and midwife can't send it to you without seeing you...

If your entitled to pay from them they sort it after you hand in matb1. Mine were pretty useless though. I started m.l on 28th Nov but all paper work at 5th Dec so I lost money. And didn't hear anything from them until I had already left

First pregnancy here!
You have to give your MATB1 to your employer no later than 25 weeks pregnant.
After my 20 week scan I called my Surgery and asked them to get the midwife to do mine so I could pick it up at reception because by the time I had my 25 week midwife appointment, it would have been too late to give it into work.

Thank you for answering. I'm 6 weeks with my first baby. X

How can you give it no later than 25 weeks? I got mine today at 25 weeks. At my last appointment of 16 weeks they said it was too early fo that. Going to hand it in tomorrow though

Our policy actually says it has to be submitted at least 15 weeks before the week of expected childbirth, so even earlier than 25 weeks if you're due on a Friday like me! My boss has said it's fine giving it in a bit late though.

They don't need the matb1 by 25 weeks. They do need your notification that you will be taking maternity leave and when it will start. Matb1 needs to be handed in within 21 days of maternity leave start date but probably best handing it in sooner rather than later

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim - gives the timescales here