12 weeks preg and just been told I may be made redunant in March...HELP!

[LordyLady]

Hello! I'm in a bit of a panic and wondered if anyone can help me out with some advice.
I work in a gallery and have just been told the financial state of the business is so bad it's very likely the gallery will shut in March with all of us being made redundant. I will have been there for over a year at tht point (started Jan this year) and my baby is due on the 21st June 2012. I've checked my contract, it's very basic and there are no mentions of redundancy - I would have been taking the standard years maternity leave. I'm lucky that my partner has a secure job in the police force with a decent wage but I'm worried this will mean I'm entitled to no help from the government should I be left stranded just before I'm about to give birth.

Very very very angry and in need of some advice please! I've had a look on the internet but it's pretty confusing.Thanks v much in advance.

Hi, not 100% certain of this, but as you will have been employed for the qualifying period (26 weeks by 15 weeks before your EDD), you should be entitled to SMP - not sure exactly how this would work though if your employer has ceased trading.
You will however be entitled to SMA if not SMP (same weekly rate, it just means you don't get the first 6 weeks at 90%), so should be able to find out about this from direct.gov.uk. Alternatively, try contacting CAB for further advice - hopefully they will be able to give you more help.

Thanks Ellypoo! God, as if it wasn't scary enough with having to think about all this. Really appreciate your advice and will check directgov and CAB - fingers crossed!

Start of March or end of March? If its the start you'll likley get MA. If its the end you may squeeze in for SMP. Basically you need another 12 weeks of employment out of them to get SMP if not MA.

In either case if your employer goes under you can claim it direct from the govt.

That's the million dollar question Grevling! I'm going to have a meeting with my boss next week to squeeze a bit more info out of her if I can, I need details. But thank god I'll get something from somewhere to help tide us over. I've decided to not worry about it and focus on having a happy healthy pregnancy, after all there are women out there in a much worse position than me. Thanks v much for your advice!