Maternity Allowance

[Tryingtochillax]

Hi, I'm debating applying for a job but am hesitant as we are trying for baby two. (I had a miscarriage last month but am keen to try again as soon as I get my period.
If I am fortunate enough to fall pregnant in the next few months and was successful in a new job I know I won't qualify for SMP but was wondering if anyone knows the qualification criteria for MA? It suggests online I may be eligible but do they take into account your husbands earnings? Would I qualify? Thank you

Eligibility criteria for Maternity Allowance

Maternity pay entitlement calculator

Your husband's income isn't relevant.

Thank you Flowery. Yes this is what I read but I was nervous as it says may get for 39 weeks and there is also a lesser rate which only covers 14 weeks so that confused me.

I changed jobs while pg and have just had my MA application accepted, I think at the max rate (145 per week) for 39w. They didn’t consider DH’s salary, only my own income/tax. Found it pretty straightforward to apply, though was confused about how much I would be eligible for. Have you done the online calculator?

Thanks Levithecat that's reassuring to know. I tried the online calculator and it just said you may be entitled to ...( the same as what you have) hopefully that means I would otherwise perhaps it would say you wouldn't or you may be entitled to the lesser amount. I'm just going to apply for the job anyway as may not even get an Interview. If you don't mind me asking were you full time or part time before you switched? Thanks

It is frustrating, I wasn’t sure of what I would get until the end of the process. I was PT before (.6FTE) and my new post is also PT at .8. I had one month off between jobs. They asked me to submit four (iirc) payslips from the qualifying months - I chose those where my tax was highest.
Like you, we’d lost a baby last year and I didn’t want to stop trying while job hunting. In reality I was 22 weeks pg when I started, but it’s all been fine. Wishing you the very best for Work and babies.

Levithecat that's helped a lot thank you. I currently don't pay tax as I come in under the threshold, but have been employed consistently from my previous full time job into maternity leave and then a straight switch into current part time job (16hrs) it sounds like I may be ok then but unsure about the tax bit now.
Sorry to hear you also had a loss but it's good to know I'm not alone in my thought of just getting on with my career switch whilst in the midst of trying. Xx

It is based on your tax contributions I’m afraid, so you may need to look into it a little further. The charity maternity action have loads of good info on their website, and I think they also have a helpline so might be worth contacting them x

Thanks I haven't heard of them, I'll definitely take a look on their website.
Thank you for all your help.

I got MA when i was temping between jobs - i had to prove i’d earned over the minimum amount for 26 weeks out of the previous 66, so i just sent them my best 6 monthly payslips (all way over the minimum which is quite low as i recall), and got a response fairly quickly giving me the max 39 weeks at £145 (or equiv then).

It means you miss out on the 6 weeks at 90% of your salary benefit you get in permanent longterm employment, but it was nice not to have the stress of finding a job and getting to the end of a 6-month probation period before ttc.

Ok that sounds promising, so it was on earnings rather than on tax paid? I have been in current post for 14 months now and on a set salary so earning the same every month. Like you I'm not to worried about the 90% bit it just means I could focus on a new job search and still TTC.

Yup, just on earnings - although you do have to have paid a certain amount of NI during that period to qualify. I seem to remember that anyone on minimum wage or above in a full time position would hit the requirements easily.

Fab thank you. I'm well over minimum wage but obviously well under FT but hopefully I'll qualify I'll defo have a second read about it now. Thank you

Good luck - as i remember it was surprisingly straightforward. Fill in form, enclose payslips, send, wait a couple of weeks for result.

If it helps you relax, I was tardy and didn’t send mine off until quite late - i’d already started my (early) maternity leave before i heard, so they backdated my claim automatically and sent me a larger sum initially to make up the difference.

Thank you! Great to know it's fairly straight forward and quick.

Hi, sorry to thread hijack I was just wondering how MA is actually paid? Is it straight into your bank account or is it a cheque? And is it weekly, 2 weekly or monthly?! Do you think it’s the same as SMP that is paid by HMRC if your company has gone insolvent? Thank you! :)

Hi, I believe it's every month and straight into bank account. It's currently £145 per week.

It's every 2 or 4 weeks, you can choose.

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/what-youll-get