Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Very worried - have missed out on receiving SMP by 1.5 weeks - will I still receive other benefits ie car and pension whilst on MA?

14 replies

pebblecat · 26/01/2009 16:06

Baby is due in 2 weeks and employers have only just told me I do not qualify for SMP despite being given paperwork from them last August saying I would receive SMP etc from them, they took my MAT B1 form in months ago etc. I have been advised that I miss out on SMP by a whisker (1.5 weeks) so have to apply for MA myself.

Does anyone know if I will be expected to return the car or anything (eek and OMG) whilst I am on maternity leave? and what happens to pension contributions?

Anyone's help/experience would be appreciated. I am worrying like mad as you can imagine as I now have to scurry to get all the forms etc in for the MA when I thought SMP was all sorted...

OP posts:
cfc · 26/01/2009 17:04

Hang on, when did you start working for them and what is your EDD (I know you say two weeks, but give me the date).

Original poster
pebblecat · 26/01/2009 17:18

Due date 9th Feb started work for them on 14th May. Working out from the due date I actually got pg on 18th May which was obviously after I started work so it wasn't like I was pg when I started!!! but of course the due date "adds on" two weeks as such (ie when you are technically 38 weeks pg you are called 40 weeks pg).

Hence I have missed out It does seem unfair since I got pg after starting work there and not before.

OP posts:
Original poster
pebblecat · 26/01/2009 17:20

Durr, sorry typo - started working there on 12th not 14th May. Conceived a week later.

OP posts:
llareggub · 26/01/2009 17:25

I'm sorry, but they are correct. You do not qualify for SMP but I make it you miss out by 4 days, as you need to have started work before 10 May 2008. Have a look at this site which should tell you all you need to know.

LIZS · 26/01/2009 17:31

Benefits such as car continue during oml , you need to check your scheme re pension contributions but sounds like you'll get MA not SMP, see here.

toobusytothink · 26/01/2009 17:32

You can get Maternity Allowance which is the same amount as SMP

Original poster
pebblecat · 26/01/2009 17:33

Thks llareggub. I know I have missed out on SMP (and the main difference is that I won't get 90% of my earnings for the first six weeks) but my new concern is about what happens to my benefits whilst I am on maternity leave ie car and pension.

I am anticipating they won't make any pension contributions if I don't receive any SMP, but what about the car? I suppose they can take it off me?

OP posts:
llareggub · 26/01/2009 17:44

Sorry, forgot about that part of the question.

My understanding is that contractual benefits continue during OMP.

Original poster
pebblecat · 26/01/2009 17:46

Thks LIZS and TBTT. It's been a shock esp as I was budgeting up til last week for getting SMP which includes the 90% for six weeks especially coming after Christmas and now I have to try and rebudget somehow.

There is literally nothing going into my account on payday in 2 days now, plus as I have only just been advised I have to apply for MA - that can take weeks - so no money until that comes through either. I have heard it takes 2 working weeks (at the best) to sort out MA which could/should have been done months ago if HR hadn't made their mistaken assumption.

I don't want to ask them about whether or not they take the car back just yet until I am feeling stronger in case the answer is yes they will have it back in which case I haven't got the funds or the time to sort something else out. Again, not as much of a problem if you have known in advance but when it is dumped on you two weeks before the due date it's not very good.

But hey, as long as the LO is fine that's the main thing to focus on.

OP posts:
LIZS · 26/01/2009 17:55

As long as the car is stated on your contract as a benefit then you keep it for the duration.

llareggub · 26/01/2009 17:56

You will accrue your holidays too, don't forget.

Original poster
pebblecat · 26/01/2009 18:04

Thks again. That's a relief re the car (it is stated on my main contract as a benefit). And holidays. I was beginning to feel unemployed IYSWIM as they are not at all au fait with MA, they know nothing about it. Nobody has spoken to me about what happens with benefits etc, just "you need to apply for MA, goodbye" and I am too frightened to ask.

OP posts:
CaptainKarvol · 26/01/2009 18:16

About pension - I know I didn't get pension contributions made when I was in a similar position (missed SMP by 6 weeks, applied for MA instead).

My missed pension contributions were clawed back over the next 2 years .

I could have chosen to have a gap in my contributions instead, but the default was that employers just deducted the missed 10 months worth from my wages once I returned.

llareggub · 26/01/2009 19:06

I think that MA is roughly the same as the SMP of £117 per week, but I may be wrong. It has been a while since I had to know all this stuff!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page