Minimum period between SMP?

[Rockinghorse123]

Cant seem to find an answer to this on Google!

I'm currently on SMP, due to return to work in June. Does anyone know if there's a minimum amount of time I have to be back at work before getting pregnant again in order to qualify for another period of SMP?

Or does anyone have a link to a website that might have the answer?

The only qualifying criteria for SMP are length of service and earnings. Previous periods of SMP aren't relevant.

You don't have to come back to work in between maternity leaves at all, although clearly if you aren't at work during the qualifying period for the second pregnancy you may not be earning enough during that time to meet the earning criteria for SMP.

Your earnings around weeks 17-25 are used to calculate SMP. I'm not sure what value you use if your on maternity during those weeks, your pay packet values or your salary.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnancy-during-maternity-leave/

'Earnings' is money actually received Dessert.

That's what I figured, flowery, but wasn't confident enough to write outright.
Thank-you for all your advise on these forums.

Thank you so much for all your replies.

Just to check I've understood the info in the link... if the min earnings is £112a week and I'm earning £139 a month on SMP during weeks 17-25 I will get SMP on my next period of leave?

Sorry I meant £139a week on smp

Yes if you're receiving SMP during your qualifying period that will be enough to qualify for SMP the second time.

Dessert

Thanks everyone. All that information has been really helpful

You only get 90% of weekly earning, max 139 for 33 weeks. So if your already on SMP, it will drop to around 125. And the first 6 weeks will also be limited.

Thanks dessert. I'm not pregnant at the moment, just deciding when would be best to start trying for number 3, so I even if I got pregnant straight away I would be on full salary during the qualifying period because I go back in June.

With my 2 DC I've qualified for company maternity pay so I've never had to work out statutory before, it's all a bit confusing! thanks again for helping me work it out!