SMP question

[blibbyblobb]

Hi

So i started my new job on 16/05/22.. To get SMP i should be in employment before 14/05/2022 (according to a government website calculator) i was currently employed before and have had no gaps in employment since 2017. My question is.. Do i still qualify for SMP?

Thanks

By the time you are 25 weeks pregnant you need to have been employed for 26 weeks. Had you already started your job by the time you got pregnant?

If you don't qualify for SMP then you could claim Maternity Allowance

Did you work for your current employer a full week before the start of your pregnancy? If yes then you should be fine (assuming you're still employed by week 25 of your pregnancy).

Hopefully you've read this info online so you already know this, but if not sharing it just in case www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility ☺️

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
To qualify for SMP you must:

-earn on average at least £123 a week
-give the correct notice and proof you’re pregnant
-have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth

If you were already counted as pregnant before you started your new job then you don't qualify for SMP. You could get MA instead

So i started the job on 16th may, but my cycle started on 13th may (period day 1) i then found out im pregnant after this cycle (11th june) at 4 weeks

So technically i was not pregnant when i started but as the weeks count from first day of missed period it puts me a fewdays/a week outside 26 weeks mark.. Does that make sense? This is why im finding it difficult to work out if i can get SMP

I will still be with employers til baby due (16th feb) and most likely return after maternity

I was also working full time before this job and have been since 2017

I guess it depends on your dating scan then, what your estimated due date is worked out to be at your scans and recorded on your forms! I would hazard a guess that they'll work it out based on whatever your EDD is recorded on your MATB1 form so they'll count 40w from before your EDD as the start of your pregnancy.

If you don't qualify for SMP then you'll get MA which isn't too dissimilar.

The only difference between SMP and MA is the 1st 6 weeks at 90% of pay that you get with SMP. You might be unlucky and just miss out by a few days. Depends what EDD they give

I have been given the due date of 16th Feb.. When i do online calculators it says i shouldve been employed before 14th may.. I know the only difference is 90% wage for 6 weeks but im on a really good/high wage and that would help so much, so in reality it would make a major difference... Thank you all for your advice.. Really appreciated 😊