Does anyone know the ins and outs of Maternity benefit

[tigersmum]

My daughter works for the NHS and is due to give birth in August. Does anyone know about Statutory maternity benefit and whether she would be paid any wages on top of it. She is planning on finishing work a month before baby is due and going back to work next Feb.She is now stressing out thinking she will only get full pay for 6 weeks and the benefits for 6 months of just over a £100. Any help appreciated..

Here basics about statutory entitlement but as your daughter works for the NHS I expect it's more generous - she needs to check her maternity policy.

As far as I know you get 90% of your pay for 6 weeks, then the rest is SMP of £106 a week for the remainder of the leave. That was 2 years ago and I know you get 9 months maternity leave now. Not very helpfull, i'm sure someone with the latest info will be along soon.

I work for a local authority and have had over 1 year service. I get 90% pay for 6 weeks, then SMP PLUS half salary for the remainder of the 9 months.

Fairly sure, I've read it over and over but I do need to check it out with a colleague.

Thanks for that ladies, I knew I could rely on you. Does anyone work for the NHS and if they do what do they get in way of maternity pay?

Yeah you are right, the 50% + SMP is only for 12 further weeks, then it's only SMP

i'm pretty sure NHS is 2 months full pay, 4 months half pay, 3 months SMP then 3 months unpaid if you choose to take a whole year.

Not sure it is possible to generalise. Your daughter is thinking of the Statutory Minimum(90% for 6 weeks plus SMP of £106 pw ish up to 9 months leave) but it is possible this might be enhanced according to specific policy for her grade/service. Her HR should give her the details of the relevant Maternity Policy in writing.

i am on mat leave from the NHS and i got 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks 90% pay and then 13 weeks SMP. i'm not sure if it varies from trust to trust but her HR department will be able to tell her the details. also i had to fill in a maternity pack and all the details are in there.

all i know is i get bugger all

I work for the local authority in Glasgow they are really good with mat bens. 90% for first 6 weeks and then 50% plus SMP for the remainder 33 weeks, which you can opt to take only the SMP and be paid a lump sum of the 50% if you return to work after mat leave. (this is to ensure that if you dont think you will return (resign completly) you dont have to pay it back). You are also given the option to take a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. This is all correct - my hubs works for HR and all was confirmed at my interview with my HR officer. Unsure about NHS although SW in Glasgow do have a joint working with them but have different policies.

sorry should have said will not return

Thanks all. that info supplied by you all has put her mind at rest. She is going to see HR on Tuesday as she has been off poorly with low blood pressure for a couple of days, other than that we will have to wait and see. The plan was to finish 4 weeks before due date and then take 6 months off and then go back 3 days a week.

another nhs employee here - it reduces over the 9mths, last three will just be smp.

don't forget she can tag annual leave on the front and back of mat leave too and she accrues leave for period she's away too - that all helps.

Right she has been to see HR and its all sorted. 8 weeks full pay 4 months half pay plus mat benefit then 3 months just on mat benefit. She will use up her hols at the beginning of leave then take 6 months off and return part time. Works out fine for her. Thanks for all your help.