So confused about maternity allowance!

[Bettyisacat]

Hey all

I started a new job yesterday at 17w+5d pregnant. I'm not entitled to statutory maternity pay, but I'm so confused about whether I'll be entitled to maternity allowance. Can you help me?

I'm due on 11th October and will have been employed by my current (new) employer for 22 weeks by then. I also worked 5 weeks with my past employer (I was a student before that) and so I will have been employed for 27 weeks prior to my due date. I believe this is just long enough to qualify for maternity allowance.

Here's where I am confused. Do I have to work for 26 weeks prior to taking my maternity leave in order to qualify for maternity allowance? That means working up until 7th October. The problem with that is that I was told yesterday by my hospital that as my pregnancy is high risk, I'll probably be induced at 38w which is 27th September, meaning I would only have worked for 25 weeks. My job is also very physical and I don't think I'd manage working right up until the end. Does this mean I wouldn't qualify for any pay? Or would I get it as technically I'll be employed even when on maternity leave? What happens to maternity pay/allowance when someone's baby is born early and it brings them short of the length of qualifying time?

Sorry for the length of this. I'm not very good at explaining things in short!

Many thanks

You can definitely start leave and still count the time in the 26 weeks. The issue is that it's 26 weeks before the baby is born so if you are early you may not qualify. Have you rung them? I claimed maternity allowance and at the time they had a dedicated department in wrexham who were so helpful.

You only need to have been employed for 26 weeks and to have earned £30 per week for 13 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due/born. So you should manage that?

Thanks thatstoast! Doh, I'll call them this week and ask. At least that would put my mind to rest. I have checked the eligibility legislation and it says "...in the 66 weeks before your baby is due..." so hopefully it really does mean your actual due date and if baby is born early then your actual due date is what's taken into account, not when baby is born. Fingers crossed!

Thanks TittyGolightly! Well, I'll have been employed for 26 weeks before the due date, but if I'm induced at 38 weeks or give birth earlier then I won't have worked for 26 weeks before the birth.

Definitely call them to put your mind at rest. I was in a similar position but baby was late in the end so it worked out ok.

I will! Thanks so much :)

The eligibility is here, and there is a calculator to put in your own details as well, just to be sure.