Found out I'm pregnant... week after I'm made redundant.

[charisann93]

Hi guys!

So me and my partner are over the moon that we've found out we're expecting, currently 5+4, and then Tuesday I had a call to say I'm being made redundant... not too bothered about the actual job, more about the financial side of it all.

My partner works full time and earns a decent wage, but not enough to pay all the bills and for us to live... I am actively looking for work, but trying to not put too much stress on myself at this precious time.

Basically what I'm asking is, will we receive any help off the government in a form of maternity pay or similar? I will work part time once baby is here, but I'm not putting my baby into childcare, for my wage to just about cover the cost of daily care.

Has anyone else been in this situation or similar?

Thanks in advance x

take a look at the Government website - there's info on Maternity Allowance, and Maternity Pay and Leave.

It depends how much your partner earns, if you own, pay a mortgage or rent and if you get a redundancy pay off. So can't say if you will get help it is ver specific to income. There are some good websites and services where you can check your benefit eneitlment such as citizens advice or entitled to.

Sorry this has happened now but I think not putting too much pressure on yourself is a good attitude. Congratulations on the baby too x

Yes you should be entitled to some maternity allowance from the government. You can use the calculator here: www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

How long is your redundancy process and notice? If you were still employed by 25 weeks I think they have to pay smp.

So I have to be given 3 months notice and there should be a consultation period first - so I might be able to string it out from 5 to 25 weeks.

You will get maternity allowance (it’s not much around £122 a week I think) as long as you have worked a certain amount of weeks within the last two years.

In 2018 I found out I was pregnant, a week later I found out I was being made redundant. I was 5 weeks gone. Job finished dec 2018 when I was 13 weeks.

I had interviews beginning of December got offered and accepted a job. I didn't tell them about the pregnancy until I'd started the job, end of first week of the January. They were lovely. Brilliant about everything.

Went on maternity leave end of June, had baby in July 2019.

Went back to work in August 2020.. already pregnant with DC2.. 🙈 told them straight away. Again they've been amazing.

I qualified for the maternity allowance, paid via the government. Wasn't a huge amount of money, but it helped

You will either qualify for maternity pay from your last employer or maternity allowance (which is basically the same as SMP except the first 6 weeks is less).