Maternity pay for contractors

[monkeypuzzeltree]

Anyone experienced this. I am on a contract until the end of the year, which will have been about 12 weeks by then. The contract is being extended for another 3 or 4 months which would take me into the 15th week before my due date. I only work 2 days a week, I am just wondering if I would qualify for any maternity pay? I should just about squeeze 26 weeks of work in by then.

I'm paid through an umbrella agency - would that make a difference?

Do you pay Income tax? You may not get SMP as you probably won't earn enough but you may get MA. How much do you earn per week?

Right, re read this. Your a contractor so will qualify for SMP (assuming normal contractor rates).

As you'll most likely be employed by the umbrella on the 15th week unless you leave all you have to do is bill at least over the lower earnings threshold (around £100) in that week.

Grevling, thanks for your reply, I replied earlier but it vanished! I do pay tax. So is it the umbrella who I have to claim smp from?

Yes, your employed by the umbrella not the end client. E.g. Your plumber wouldn't claim SMP from you but his employer - this is the same.

The umbrella will reclaim SMP from the Govt anyway so won't be out of pocket.