With my first pregnancy I worked full time but wasn't there long enough to set SMP, so I claimed MA. (My partner also had a full time job) No issues at all.
This time round I was only working part time (8/9 hours a week) however I haven't worked since May due to covid, this is both to do with being pregnant but if I wasn't pregnant I would still have been signed off due to underlying health condition affecting my immune system.
My partner also lost his job and has been doing part time bits on the local farm through harvest, which they will finish today.
I applied for UC which we now get and I also get income support due to being off sick...
However.. when I have my babies I was intending to apply for MA again which will mean I won't be entitled to UC anymore and I assume because I will officially be on maternity leave I won't be entitled to ESA either..
My partner is waiting to hear about a job and if he was to get it my best option would be to apply for MA as it doesn't mater his income for this.
Also, I am seeing my midwife next week (24 weeks) where I'll get my MATB1 form. If Covid wasn't around I would have worked until 34 ish weeks (knowing what I do from my first pregnancy and the struggles I faced regarding pain) however, as I'm signed off I want to continue to be signed off until 35/36 weeks then start my maternity leave and then receive MA (if that's the rout I go down) how realistic is it when I speak to my employer that I ask that even though I'm currently off 'sick' for me to continue to be off 'sick' until the date I wished to start my maternity leave? Work don't pay for my sick pay because although I had been there long enough my employment contract meant I wasn't eligible to get SSP from them and therefore I get the payment from the government..
I would like to add before I had my pregnancies I have always worked full time since I left school at 18 and have always paid my way regards into the NI and Tax pot and therefore don't need to be hounded by why are you relying on other people to pay you through their tax so you can have more babies.. because quite frankly I have paid in since forever and if I am entitled to it why shouldn't I because it's not going to be forever! It's just this time will be financially harder as I am expecting twins.
I know my child benefit will also increase which will be really helpful.
Any advice would be great. I feel if I phone round the benefits people they only tend to deal with one type and don't have time to be passed around from pillar to post for hours about it.