Do I get any money for having another baby?

[OrangeSpacedust]

Sorry, stupid question but someone will know, without me having to wade through all the DWP stuff.

I have 2 kids and was employed throughout both maternity leaves, until quitting my job finally last autumn. Am now freelance but really don't have time to do a huge amount so don't earn much from that at all, and am also trying to break into another area which is currently unpaid.

If I have another baby, will I get something equivalent to SMP? How much is it? And does this go up in April 2010 as well? TIA!! xx

I looked into this recently myself - the info you want is here. (I am kind, I know!)
I also seem to remember that you get a one-off payment of £190 sometime before giving birth??

If your Class 2 NIs are up-to-date then you should be eligible for Maternity Allowance -- standard rate is £123 a week.

But you still eligible for MA if you're paying your NIs but haven't been working/earning for 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before you give birth?

And I thought I had it all worked out... why does it all have to be so complicated!

If you have paid your NIs then you are automatically treated as having qualified for MA and don't need to show proof of earnings or worry about the 'test period'.

Great news - thanks for that Meg!