Maternity Pay Question

[Jacanne]

I work part time in a school and am on a temporary contract which ends on the 12th April - baby is due 5th May, I don't think I am eligible for SMP because I was about 3 weeks pregnant when my contract began. I am actually beginning maternity leave on 1st March. I am eligable for Maternity Allowance (which you get from the govt if you don't get SMP) because I have worked the requisite amount of time (2 contracts in the same school - one running from Jan 09 - Aug 09 and my current one which started in Sep 09). I am just concerned that I may get SMP until my contract ends (12th April) but then won't get the Maternity Allowance (which lasts for 39 weeks). Would that happen or would I get SMP until that date and then MA afterwards?

Thanks if you got through all that

hi this part is so tricky! i think if you have been there something like 28weeks before the baby is due,the you may be entitled to it but if your unsure ring citizens advice they are great at this.think you would get ma afterwards but dont qoute me on this
you should have been given a 0-5book by your midwife this has some info on this at the back dont forget to give your employer your mmatb1 form whenyou get to around 20wks.i think . hope that helps.Looking at your dates think you may be ok,

Thanks Puss

SMP and MA are the same amount so that doesnt matter. Ring the job centre and ask (I had to once with complicated contracts). Generally if you are working for them around 28 weeeks they pay you SMP even if contract has ended.

For example I had a contract Oct - June but had baby in July. As I was working for them in March time they still paid me SMP from June - Jan (was 6 months at time).

They may have the rule that you had to be working for them before you got pregnant. However if they do you will get MA.

Job centre is best place to ask I think .

I spoke to work today and they seem to think that I am entitled to SMP because although I was pregnant when I started this contract, I had a previous consecutive contract with them. So Peppa, will I get the full 39 weeks of SMP even though my contract ends?