Advice/help freaking out about SMP/ SMA

[Grumpy19]

Hi.
I am on a zero hours contract and I'm a tutor so May is super busy, but August is very, very quiet.
I have just read that the calculations for SMP or SMA are all done from 17 to 25 weeks pregnant which falls right in August when I have a very low income!!!
This has upset me to say the least! Do they completely ignore the rest of the year?!
As it stands it looks like I'm entitled to nothing! 😭😢

Are u registered as self employed or are u on paye?

Maternity Allowance is different in that you get to pick 13 weeks of payslips within the 66 weeks prior to your due date (as long as you have been employed for at least 26 weeks of those 66 weeks). You get to pick the payslips where you earned the highest amounts to maximise the amount you will receive.

if you aren't entitled to SMP as your earnings are too low in weeks 17-25 then your employer should give you an SMP1 form so you can claim MA

Thank you so much for both your replies!
@dementedpixie I could cry at reading your post! (Relief and pregnancy hormones!)

@PrayingandHoping I am paye.

10 months of the year I would make plenty enough to qualify for SMP but the period of time they calculate it in I won't make enough (unless this year massively bucks the trend of my usual work pattern).

But if I can claim SMA that will see us through (just).

Thank you. I genuinely could cry. I've felt sick all morning trying to work it out thinking I would be entitled to nothing.

In the nicest possible way, breathe. Get the facts before panicking.

What's your due date?
When did you start working for your current employer?

If you can't get SMP you will be able to get Maternity Allowance, and there isn't a huge difference between them overall. The only difference would be if you claim UC as they are treated differently (so you get more UC if you're on SMP).

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

The only difference is you don't get the first 6 weeks at 90%, you just get the flat rate of £151ish for the duration of paid leave

@AnotherEmma, I know. I have been reading it all but I think I got a bit blinded by panic!
I'm due January. I have worked for them since 2017 so no problem with continuous employment. It's just typical that the calculating weeks fall in August and September which ad a tutor are my quietest months by far!
Thanks again.