Has anyone else dealt with the HMRC SMP Disputes Team?

[Rollingthedice]

Hi
I chose to leave my job when I was 6 months pregnant, officially because I wanted to concentrate on being a Mum, unofficially because I worked on an all male team that made my life a nightmare. At the time things were ok with my partner and we could live on his salary alone. Now my baby is 6 weeks old and we have separated so I am on my own and living at my parents house, stressful enough but now my employer is refusing to pay SMP. The HMRC disputes team in Newcastle is dealing with it and has ruled that I do qualify (I left 10 weeks before my due date) and my ex-employer owes me about £7500. My employer has disputed it at the opinion stage so now it has gone to the formal stage. Has anyone else had to do something similar? I am wondering about time frames, how much longer can my employer refuse to pay? What happens next? My money situation is getting a bit desparate and I really don't want to be looking for a new job with a six week old, it's not fair.

Any advice or anyone going through the same thing please get in touch x

Hi,

I am now in the same position like you, but I just started the process by talking to the dispute team.
They have tried to reach my HR, but it seems there is no progress so they decided to send the dispute form and will investigate from there.

In my case, I was on a 1 year fixed term contract. My employer only agrees to pay me until my contract ends, not the full 39 weeks. I refer to the employer handbook about my legal rights that they still have to pay me as I have met the conditions for SMP. But they keep telling me to apply for maternity allowance, of which I am not eligible for (since I already got my first 6 weeks SMP from them)

I will keep in touch about the progress, and surely it worries me as I don't know how long it will take.

What I don't understand is why your ex employer owes you the £7500. As SMP is reclaimed from the government why don't HMRC just pay it to you direct?