Stat Mat Pay - only three full weeks in April? How much will I receive?!

[Help2025]

I've only just learned that SMP isn't calculated according to its monthly equivalent (as in £187 x 12 / 52), but instead relates to how many full weeks there are in a month? Or how many Sundays or Mondays or something?! HR have never told me about this!

There are only three full weeks in April, but four Sundays/Mondays, so I am so confused.

Please can someone let me know how much I should receive for the month of April? My mat leave started on a Monday.

Thank you!

I can't believe I have never heard about this before - who knew the pay isn't the same every month?! What a crazy system, how can you plan for your bills and outgoing when you have no idea how much you're going to get every month?!

You would get the first 6 weeks at 90% of the wages you received in weeks 17-25 of pregnancy and then the rest at £187 until 39 weeks.
Have you just started mat leave?

It has always been this way and it’s very clear on HMRC.
but, a full week is Mon - Sun regardless of bank hols/normal working days - hope this helps.

What do you mean by only three weeks in April?

In surprised you didnt know it was a weekly benefit, the amount is only ever quoted as per week isn't it? It would be logistically complicated to do it any other way

It’s generally Sundays that are counted. So it’ll be 4 or 5. It’s never 3.

You will get 4 weeks. If your SMP started on a Monday then the week starting 31/03/2025 will be paid in April along with the next 3 weeks. SMP for the week starting 28/04/2025 will be paid in May.

I haven’t started mat leave but I have just started the SMP period.

@B1indEye I do know it’s a weekly benefit but I thought the monthly amount would be calculated as per my OP - multiplying the weekly amount by 52 then dividing by 12 as I am paid monthly.

Thank you @Harassedevictee for the additional info.

@Help2025 no it’s a statutory benefit so there is a standard weekly amount paid.

To explain, all payroll systems at the start of each tax year have the statutory benefits, tax and NI rates and thresholds applied via a “patch” from HMRC so that they all operate them in the correct way. For example SSP is paid weekly etc.

Most people don’t notice if they receive occupational mat/sick pay etc. it’s only when you just get the statutory benefit that you notice a difference.

How are you getting SMP if you have not started mat leave?

Sorry - I meant, “I haven’t just started mat leave!” Baby is here hence being distracted while typing 😁

😀easily done.