What happens if I go early?

[DannyWallace]

Hi all, I've asked a few questions before about maternity pay/maternity allowance but just realised this.

I quit my job when I was 5 weeks pregnant (didn't know when I handed my notice in), had around 5 weeks off (mid summer, family were visiting and waiting for background check) and started my new job at just over 10 weeks.

I've been told I can get statutory mat pay if I work at current job for 26 weeks, so just to be sure that takes me to around 37 weeks. Fine.
They've taken my mat B1 (I have a copy).

But what happens if I happen to go into labour before then? I know it's unlikely, but it does happen. How would I get money as it wouldn't be through my work anymore. Would I have to speak to job centre after I've had the baby and possibly miss out on a month? Or would I automatically get something and the government would just calculate it?

Thank you

You're only entitled to maternity pay if you've been working at your current job for 26 weeks by 15 weeks before your baby is due (basically by the time you're 25 weeks you should have been in your current job 26 weeks). Otherwise you're not entitled to SMP.

@CobaltRose96 I know, but if I don't work for the full 26 weeks I can get some form of maternity allowance instead.
How do I go about getting that? As I won't know in advance if I need to get it or not x

@CobaltRose96 also, my HR have said I am entitled to some form of pay from them so long as I have worked there 26 weeks. That's why they took my mat B1. I'm worried they got it wrong now!

I'm pretty sure the maternity allowance would still be paid as that's not your employer who pays that , is it ? I thought mat allowance was what you get if you've been working but don't fit the criteria for smp ?

@ReginaPhalange89 yeah that's what I'm thinking-but would I have to apply for it separately? As soon as I've had the baby I guess?
I'm so confused

You’re not eligible for statutory maternity pay. To be eligible you must have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the 25th week of your pregnancy, which you won’t have.

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

You may have maternity benefits in your contract which have different qualifying criteria.

Otherwise you can claim maternity allowance from the government - details here www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance

You definetly won't get SMP. As pp said, you have to of been working 26 weeks before your 25th week of pregnancy.

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance this will tell you if and how you can get maternity allowance.

Hth!

I've been told I can get statutory mat pay if I work at current job for 26 weeks, so just to be sure that takes me to around 37 weeks. Fine.

^This is incorrect. You have to have worked there for 26 weeks before week 25 of your pregnancy

Ooohhh I told the HR woman that and she was adamant!! I'm gonna go nuts when I get back!!
Thanks all!
Now I just need to figure out how to apply for maternity allowance x