Statutory maternity pay

Hey so first of all, yes i am worried so you aren't alone! I work full time and my partner is self employed with a part time job for additional income and it seems like we may be financially better off with childcare if he quits his part time job and looks after the baby around his other job (crazy, I know). We have been crunching numbers basically to figure out the plan. If you haven't seen it already this website is very helpful to work out what you will be entitled to https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

There's going to be changes coming soon that will affect our May babies https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/upcoming-changes-to-childcare-support/

You can also always go to citizens advice bureau for information about financial support and what benefits you are entitled to. Hope this helps a little x

I’m worried as well I only get paid around £800 pcm with SMP…

Statutory maternity pay in this country is abysmal! I am about to start a new job so won’t be entitled to occupational maternity leave and only statutory pay which is barely anything. My fiance will have to support us during leave which thankfully we can do but I still worry. I am thinking of putting a registry list together for Christmas present suggestions for us to help with costs…and have said we are more than happy with baby vouchers too. Some friends of mine have said that you don’t actually spend alot when on mat leave so I am hoping that’s the case!

Yes I’m very worried as will only get SMP, am self employed and that’s only half of my mortgage and bills a month 🙈 plus going into quiet season for work so not like I can save!

Not the greatest help but you are allowed to do self employed work whilst on SMP (as long as there isn't a clause in your work contract) so if you are good at making things or happy to do Deliveroo or something for a few hours a week that may bring in a few extra pennies x

I was told that you could only work 10 days - so I shoot weddings for example and been told I can only do 10 work days to still be entitled to SMP as self employed? Xx

That's keeping in touch days x which are with your employer not self employed work

Unfortunately, if you're on maternity allowance it's only 10 days I've just had a look. How unfair!!

Yep, so hard for fully self employed 😩 xx

Worth having a look at help the government can give, if any.. my employer topped up my income for the first 20 weeks, I was at 90% pay but when I went to only SMP I was able to claim some universal credit, my other half was still working full time I thought this would mean I wouldn’t get anything, but I did.

I only got a little help but it made a difference (use an online calculator it’ll give you an estimate) for your first baby you can also get a sure start maternity grant £500 if on low income (gov website).. & you’ll get child benefit regardless I believe which is about £90 a month

I’m just coming to the end of my maternity, I took 12 months with 3 unpaid & have been able to make it work… doing it all again from May haha! &will take another 12 months as it’s really been okay financially

For my first I bought absolutely everything whilst I was still working (even clothes up to 18months, so aside from nappies, wipes etc we haven’t had to spend anything big) massive help!xx

that’s a really good idea about by clothes up to 18months old. You also have the sales which will help also.
i like the idea of the vouchers/baby list too. Helps with spreading the costs and not buying stuff you don’t need. X

this is really helpful thank you!!