Smp help

[BelleSauvage9]

Good morning.

Hoping there's people who can help me work this out..

I'm currently on maternity leave, took the full year plus holiday. It's basic statutory maternity, employer doesn't offer anything more. I only work part time so my weekly earnings when working out my smp were just over the threshold to get smp. Due back in March.

However I (accidentally) fell pregnant again and am now 19+4 so will be going back on maternity leave approximately 2 months after my return to work.

My issue is with whether I will qualify for smp or maternity allowance, and am really struggling to work it out! My qualifying week is mid February so while I'm on 'holiday' (my year finishes at the end of this month). My understanding is that smp is worked out based on this and the 8 (7?) weeks preceding it? In which case, this is mostly during my 3 months of unpaid leave, with 2ish weeks of holiday pay. Does this mean that my average earnings for this period will be worked out using just that 2 weeks of holiday pay, as the previous 6 weeks my earnings will be £0 as it's the unpaid time??

Thanks for any help!

@BelleSauvage9 This calculator should give you the answer www.gov.uk/maternity-paternity-calculator

In your situation I have always advised employees to end maternity leave before the 8 week period and to use annual leave accrued (4 weeks +) and to return to work as it is more beneficial.

You sadly have left it very late to look into this and are already in the 8 week period so depending what the calculator shows (do several options) I would consider asking your employer to end your mat leave and start annual leave from next Monday. I know this means you have to go back to work earlier but if you want paid SMP this may be the pragmatic option. You may still be eligible for Maternity Allowance.

Thanks @Princessglittery

I would go back a bit earlier but I've got complications with childcare that will make that really tricky!