Hello
To get MA you must have:
been employed and/or self-employed for at least 26 week in the 66 weeks up to and including the week before your baby is due. This 66 week period is known as the test period. Part weeks are counted as full weeks; and
earned on average at least £30 or more a week, in any 13 weeks in the test period.
I am thinking about going back to my old company temping up till the end of dec (2nd baby due jan). I wanted to ask peoples opinions on whether the fact that I took a year off maternity in my last job (6 months paid and 6 months unpaid which ended in april). Where they state that you would have to have been employed for 26 weeks , can I include part of my unpaid maternity leave as I was still employed but I was not earning anything. I was hoping to be able to work for 13 weeks temping and then count 13 weeks from my old job but this would be unpaid maternity leave to give me my 26 weeks.
My old boss wants to know whether I want to go back temping for 3 days a week and so I would have to put my 17 month in a nursery whilst I did this up til the end of dec and then maybe then put him in nursery 2 afternoons a week when the new baby arrives. I adore my son and find this a really difficult decision to put him in a nursery pt but if I can claim maternity allowance for 26 weeks after I have had the second baby then it makes it more worth while as could claim £108 a week. I need to let my boss know this evenif I am interested so urgent advice would be great - thank you