To qualify for SMP you must have the following criteria:
Can I get it?
To get SMP you must have been:
Employed by your employer into the qualifying week which is the 15th week before the week your baby is due.
Employed by the same employer without a break for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week your baby is due. Part weeks count as full weeks.
Earning before tax an average of £87.00 a week. This is called the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance Contributions (NI) and is the amount you have to earn to qualify for benefits. You have to earn more than this amount before you actually start paying NI.
If you are not entitled to SMP then you may be entitled to MA:
Maternity Allowance
What is it?
Maternity Allowance (MA) may be available to help you take time off to have your baby if you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from an employer. MA is also available if you are registered self-employed or have done some employed or self-employed work in the 15 months, before the week your baby is due.
You should claim as soon as you can after you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. If you delay, you may lose benefit. There are a number of conditions that you need to meet in order to claim maternity benefit.
If your Expected Week of Childbirth is on or before 31 March 2007, MA can be paid for up to 26 weeks.
If your Expected Week of Childbirth is on or after 1 April 2007, MA can be paid for up to 39 weeks.
The important date for working out how long MA can be paid for is the date your baby is due not when your baby is actually born.
What are the benefit rates?
Standard rate: £112.75 or 90% of your average gross weekly earnings if this is less than £112.75.
Maternity Allowance Threshold (MAT): £30.00.
What do I need to do next?
To make sure you do not miss out on any benefit due to you, you should contact us to find out if you need to fill in this form. If you download a form you should contact us to establish the date of your claim. For more information contact Jobcentre Plus.
More detailed information can be found in leaflet NI 17A - A Guide to Maternity Benefits available on the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Contact Jobcentre Plus for a claim form or you can download a Maternity Allowance claim form in PDF format. This form does not apply in Northern Ireland. Please choose a form from the options below.
