Show your support
That’s so rubbish! I did hear of a maternity allowance? Is it worth trying to apply for that? Or will it just get declined. I mean there’s about 121 questions to fill out lol or a sure maternity grant?
You can claim universal credit whilst on maternity leave as a top up!
Sorry for the questions lol. I just find it baffling. I should have saved really but didn’t think that far ahead and assumed I would be entitled to something! 🤦🏼♀️ x
It all depends on your partners earnings.. if they’re under a certain threshold then you’ll be able to claim a small top up x
I’m having to only take 8 months off, as I won’t be able to afford to be off after then. Don’t know how people do it!
Do you have holiday to take? I took 10 months off as maternity so only went a month unpaid and then took 8 weeks holiday to take me to the year. I’ve also spent my maternity leave on Vinted 😂 & made a decent amount of money there - every little helps. If your partner earns a decent wage the chances are you won’t be entitled to much if anything x
It's why most women go back after 9 months unfortunately. I had just under 10 months off using annual leave at the end as our household income means we get zilch once statutory pay is over x
in the same boat! we’re not entitled to anything extra, so i’m just using up my annual leave after the SMP, and then most likely going to has to go back to work afterwards, as we can’t afford to take 3 months without any income from my side
You won't be eligible for maternity allowance, it's instead of SMP if you're not entitled to SMP. As others have said you may be entitled to UC depending on household income. You should have accrued annual leave whilst you've been off that you could use now, so you'll be paid but not have to go to work
@Melissa I really don’t know either 😳 I mean I’m stuck now as I can’t go back to work yet but I will make it work somehow x
Thank you everyone for your comments x
Maternity allowance goes on your tax contributions/hours worked from (I think) the previous months up until birth
It might be worth claiming ESA until birth like me.
If you've already had maternity pay through work for 39 weeks then that's it, I'm afraid. Maternity allowance is instead of that so you won't be eligible. This should all have been communicated to you while you were still pregnant. The option is generally to save in advance or go back to work after 9 months. If your partner is on a low income then you might qualify for UC though so that might be worth a shot.
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
Check nuggetssavings on Instagram, contact them as they will be able to help you with SMP questions
You can't claim anything (poss UC if you don't have much savings) but yes this is why most mums are forced back to work after 9m. I've been getting 0 and used my savings for 3 months xxx
This is why I have to go back to work after only 5 months mat leave. My enhanced mat pay only lasts that long and then I'm on statutory mat pay, which is really rubbish! You could try UC to top up?
@Terri thank you I will try this! X
Unfortunately not if you’re employed 😬 I saved during my pregnancy to cover it x