Maternity Allowance *after* OMP runs out

[crazymuseummumtobe]

Hi all - I wonder if anyone can advise on a weird maternity pay situation I'm in.

I started a new job on 17 July this year. I am due with DC1 on 23 Jan 2020. Happily, I'm going to qualify for maternity pay from my employer (first 6 months at full pay), as they are switching to a new maternity policy of Day 1 Rights on 1 Jan 2020, removing the need to have worked for them for 6 months before my Qualifying Week.

However, I've just learnt this morning that I won't qualify for the SMP I thought I would be getting for months 7-9 of my mat leave - as SMP is subject to government criteria, which I won't meet as I've not been in my job long enough. (Rude!)

I've put my details through the gov.uk Maternity Allowance calculator, and it looks hopeful that I may qualify for MA instead of SMP. But, does anyone know if I can start to claim Maternity Allowance so long after the birth of my baby. I'd be looking to claim it only for months 7-9.

I'd be 'returning to work' at 9 months, but then using up all the Annual Leave and Bank Holidays I'd accrued whilst off, so actually returning closer to month 10 or 11.

Any thoughts welcomed!

Bump - can anyone advise? Thanks.

Yes you can :) I'm in a very similar situation, didn't qualify for SMP but employer is giving me enhance maternity pay.

What will happen is that you'll receive 39 weeks of MA (about £600) a month on top of whatever pay you get from your employer.

In my case this will allow me to have a longer Maternity Leave than planned.

@Rainbowhairdontcare - interesting, thank you! So are you claiming Mat Allowance fully on top of what you're getting from your employer as Enhanced Maternity Pay? Should I put the application form in sooner rather than later then?

I did find it curious that while the MA calculator asks about earnings in the run-up to due date, it doesn't ask what EMP your employer will give.

It's because the MA is given to people who have no accyes to SMP. Whatever your employer gives you is out of good will so to speak.

In a nutshell yes I'm getting 12 weeks full pay (my employer) + 39 weeks of MA

@Rainbowhairdontcare - sorry to be dense, but are you claiming MA at the same time as your EMP, or after it finishes?

Thank you

At exactly the same time. They over lap, there's no relationship between them.

Yes you claim both at the same time

Well, that's me mind blown! Thanks, ladies!