New job and now pregnant

[maybemumof2]

I'm starting a new job soon on part time hours, but have found out I'm pregnant before I've been given my start date.

I'm guessing this means I won't be eligible for mat pay, but I've read something about maternity allowance. Would I be able to get this as I'd probably have to leave my job because it's working term time and I'm not sure if holidays would apply!

Am I making this up about maternity allowance?

Yes maternity allowance would be an option.
The eligibility is as follows:

You can get Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks if in the 66 weeks before your baby’s due, you’ve been:

• employed or registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks
• earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks - the weeks do not have to be together

You may still qualify if you’ve recently stopped working. It does not matter if you had different jobs or periods of unemployment.

Yep maternity allowance defo. You just have to have been working for a certain number of weeks in the year or so before your baby's born.
Maternity Action have lots about it on their website. Be aware though, if youre also claiming UC, the MA cancels some of it out. The website explains better