Question about maternity pay

[bubbles519]

I will be starting maternity leave on 23rd November. I've just done a calculator on hmrc and up into mid January the payments are higher than the standard £151. I know for the first 6 weeks I get 90% of my wage but the figure that's coming up is actually higher than what I bring home now. Is this all due to tax? Will I be bringing more home cause I'm paying less tax?

@bubbles519 seems like it could be due to the decreased tax amount

I done this the other day and it confused me. I was under the impression that the amount they show you is your gross pay, rather than after tax, NI and any pension you will pay.

Once the £151 amount kicked in was also confused why the amount was higher some months, then realised as its based on £151 A week, so in a month where there are 5 weeks it will show a higher amount of payment.

I do wish it would allow you to put your own tax code and pension contribution so you could get a more accurate figure. Or at least tell me my assumption that it shows the gross figure is correct.