Statutory Maternity Pay , Employee of own company

[amywhattodo]

Hi guys!

I have a question for business owners who are employees of their own company.

If i stop earning enough money on my own business AFTER the qualifying week (15 week before baby is born) and then my earnings dwindle way BELOW the threshold.

Does that still make me eligible for statutory maternity allowance of my own business?

I am the only employee for my small start up and wouldn't be able to continue to work and make money once i get bigger or once the baby is born (as its labour intensive work)

Im just struggling to understand how i would be able to pay myself?

Would i be getting maternity allowance in this instance?

any advise is appreciated

thanks so much

Have you used the gov.uk online calculator? www.gov.uk/maternity-paternity-calculator

I can only answer what an employee in a large organisation would get. SMP is a set amount 90% for first 6 weeks + £156.66 or 90% for 33 weeks. The 90% is based on the 8 weeks before the 15th week before due date. The calculator will help you work out this period for you. Once that 8 week period ends anything you earn after that only matters if it is higher e.g. pay rise not if it’s less.

You can start your mat leave and pay from 11 weeks before your expected due date. Again the calculator will tell you when this is. So there is a 4 week period when you could earn less but still get SMP etc.

I must caveat this with I am not familiar with employees who are the business owner so please check with DWP or ACAS.