Maternity leave and pay

[Xabe]

I currently work 20.5 hours a week and earn £17500 per year. I started this job last year

I also do ad hoc work on a self employed basis for different people.

I am currently 5 weeks pregnant. The company I work for are relocating in July. I will be 25 -28 weeks pregnant when they go. I am not going with them as it would mean a 2.5 hour commute each way (5 hours on top of the 10.25 hour day I currently work)

Does that mean that I won't be entitled to maternity pay as I can't start that until I am 29 weeks pregnant.

Also, am I entitled to maternity pay through being self employed as well?

Do I have to stop all work at the same time or can I stop my job at 29 weeks and carry on with being self employed?

Thank you in advance

You should, be eligible for Maternity Allowance and given your earnings that will equate to £135(approx) a week for 39 weeks or however long you take maternity leave for (including your self employed job).

You can apply for it from 26weeks pregnant and all the forms are online.

If you are employed until at least 26 wks pg then you should be entitled to SMP even if you aren't still employed by them when you take your mat leave.

You can still do self employed work without affecting your SMP, and you may be entitled to mat allowance too but I'm not sure about that.

I don't believe you can claim both SMP and MA.

If you aren't eligible for SMP then you can claim for MA.

To get MA you have to have employment for 26 weeks in the 66 week period prior to your due date.

Just be aware if you are leaving your job (not returning after baby) SMP will be lower (but still more than MA). Hope that makes sense.

Whether you are returning to your job makes no difference to the rate of SMP. SMP is based on average earnings in the qualifying period.

Could you take all of your years annual leave from the week they move? Four weeks of full pay then your ML can kick in?