Missing out on maternity pay by 1 week - terrified

[bells2810]

I’m 8 weeks pregnant and started a new job at the end of May (I was employed full time prior to changing jobs). I’ve just found out that I will miss out on SMP by 7 days (if I’d started work one week earlier I would qualify). I’m absolutely gutted, I knew I wouldn’t get full maternity pay which my employer does offer, but thought I might at least get statutory. My wage is going to be cut by more than half if I only qualify for maternity allowance from the government. My partner works full time too but I’m absolutely terrified, my SMP will only just cover my share of our bills and then my own personal bills (mainly my car), which will mean my partner will have the responsibility of paying for food, baby things, etc…

We are obviously going to try and save as much as we can before baby is due. I wondered if anyone has any tips for what sort of help is available? Additionally does anyone know if I could appeal and request my SMP from my employer if I am only missing it by 7 days?

If you've been employed for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before your due date, then the rates of SMP and maternity allowance will be the same after the first six weeks (currently the lower of £156 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings) - so other than the first six weeks it shouldn't make a difference if you were only expecting SMP

Additionally does anyone know if I could appeal and request my SMP from my employer if I am only missing it by 7 days no unfortunately those are the rules according to the government so they can't bend them

I'm afraid an appeal isn't possible as you don't meet the threshold.

The figures should be similar to SMP though value-wise?

Is your partner able to contribute more during your time off?

Yes I’m on maternity allowance and it’s basically the same as SMP, it’s just the first 6 weeks you miss out on I believe

Also you’re share of bills - we just put all of our income into a shared account and pay for everything from there.

Things will have to change I'm afraid. You are a family now. Finances are a shared thing. Unless your oh is a shit.

It's horrible to feel in financial stress when you're pregnant, OP.

As others have said, the difference between SMP and Maternity Allowance, in your case, is that you will get £156-ish per week from the start of your leave, instead of 90% of your qualifying earnings for the first 6 weeks.

Even if your employer does offer enhanced maternity pay, the chances are that there would be a qualifying period before you're eligible so you won't have just missed out by week (which would be very frustrating).

The only difference is the first 6 weeks. Unless your company offers an enhanced package.

My partner works full time too but I’m absolutely terrified, my SMP will only just cover my share of our bills and then my own personal bills (mainly my car), which will mean my partner will have the responsibility of paying for food, baby things, etc… I'd start trying to look at your finances as a couple, you're providing free childcare for him so it all balances out.

Have you look at child benefit OP?

If you’re only 8 weeks, your due date might get moved back at your 12 week scan. Mine was moved back by a week and I was pretty sure when I ovulated.

Maternity allowance is the same as SMP I think? And you and your partner probably need to think about "our bills", not your share of them, and not your bills. You'll be looking after his baby. You shouldn't have to struggle financially if he isn't 🤷‍♀️

What are your plans for going back to work?

Yes I came to say this too, when I had my dating scan my due date got changed by 6 days. I then went 11 days over, but maternity pay is calculated based on EDD rather than actual delivery date.

If you were working for your previous employer during your qualifying week, you might qualify for SMP from them.
You won't be able to check fully until you receive your MAT B1 form, as it's the dates on there that the employer has to go by. It's usually issued around/after 20 weeks.

I came on to say similar to what has already been said - when I had DD my GP asked me my due date to put on my MATB1. Obviuolst you wouldn't want it to be out by much, but if you were sure your last period was a certain date i'm not sure the GP would question it? Just saying :)

Haha not a shit luckily! We have always agreed to split household bills equally as we saw that as the fairest way to do it, but you’re right, we might have to take another look at things whilst I’m on ML.

i was in a similar situation, managed to get the later date written on my Mat B form by asking GP.

Definitely do this, OP.

Or alternatively - your DPs work may have a better paternity leave policy, which might make it a more viable financial option to share the leave and you go back to work sooner?

Needs must I'm afraid - staying off long term on ML is a luxury and a choice - what are your plans to return to work? May have to be earlier than you want/planned

I am in a similar situation. New job, unplanned pregnancy. Not going to get mat leave things are going to be tight.

However, DH doesn’t see it as a my problem. He knows it’s going to be tough and will work overtime to try and bridge the gap a bit. It’s not an ideal situation but I can’t imagine him not taking on the responsibility of finances and knows as soon as I can I’ll be back at work and contributing to the family funds. It’s definitely worth having a conversation, it’s not just your child.

Yes, you'll almost certainly be entitled to maternity allowance which is same as SMP bar the 6 weeks at 90%.

If you were employed by your previous employer during the qualifying week you send your matb1 to your old employer and they pay the SMP.

I know this because I didn't do that and the maternity allowance people phoned to say that's what I should have done. But I left it too late to claim.

I was also going to suggest your GP could help out by putting a certain date on the Mat B form.

Alternatively could you ask your employer to make an exception as a goodwill gesture? I've had employers in the past that went beyond what they were required legally to do, in the interests of keeping staff happy.

Also I'd recommend ringing maternity allowance dept at HMRC. They were so helpful whenever I spoke to them and genuinely tried to make sure I got everything I could.