Statutory Maternity Pay

In order to eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you must have worked for your current employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (the 'qualifying week').  You must earn on average £107 per week, give the correct notice and proof that you are pregnant!

In return you will receive 6 weeks pay at 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax followed by 33 weeks at £135.45 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).  You also entitled to take a further 12 weeks leave unpaid. 

This is the bare minimum new mothers can expect to receive however some employers offer much more generous maternity schemes however, do check your employment contrary.  Statutory Maternity Pay does not need to be repaid to your employer if you decide not to return to work after maternity leave.  Often more generous maternity pay schemes offered by employers include a claw back clause placing obligations on mothers to return any additional payments should they choose not to return to their old job. 

Unfortunately, I have never had any experience of  enhanced maternity pay.  SMP when I had my first baby five years ago was £112 per week.  It is refreshing to see that SMP has gone up in the past five years despite salaries remaining pretty static however receiving only £135 per week is going to come as a bit of a shock!

To claim SMP you must tell your employer the following information at least 28 days before you want your SMP to start:

• that you want to stop work to have a baby
• the day you want your payments to start

Your employer can ask for this in writing an email may suffice and I always think it is useful to keep a paper trail just in case there are any problems in the future. 

Your employer should confirm within 28 days how much you’ll get and when your SMP will start and stop. However, if they decide that you’re not eligible, they must let you know this within 7 days of making this decision. 

You can also change the start date of your SMP but you must give your employer 28 days notice. 

Your midwife or doctor will provide you with a form called a MAT1B at around 20th week of your pregnancy, usually at your 20 week scan.  This form will need to be handed to your employer as evidence of your pregnancy....just in case they haven't already notice your expanding waist line!  This form and your intention to take maternity leave must be given to your employer no later than the qualifying week (15 weeks before your due date). 

I very nearly missed this deadline this time round as my pregnancy seems to be flying by and I couldn't decide when I wanted to start my leave however I need not have tied myself up in knots over this as you only need to give 28 days notice of date you wish to leave. 

More information including a maternity pay calculator can be found on the new government website https://www.gov.uk/maternity-benefits  A more comprehensive guide can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions website.