I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant and don’t earn enough to claim SMP from my employer. I gave them my MATB1 a few weeks ago now and I have just received an email back from HR to say they can’t pay me SMP (as expected) and will supply me with a SMP1 form at the end of March 2022! I’m due first week in April.
I need the SMP1 in order to send off to DWP so that I can claim maternity allowance. I know that this usually takes about a month so by the time I’ve received this SMP1, I’ll already be on maternity leave and will be having baby a few days later. I won’t hear back from DWP probably until late April so will be without pay for the month.
Are they allowed to do this? I called them today and the guy said he didn’t really know why they weren’t giving me it straight away but gave me an email to message and ask. I have but I have a feeling they were just fobbing me off.
What can I do?