Maternity Pay
I’m confused about maternity pay! I’ve not been able to work much throughout my pregnancy due to having challenging pregnancy symptoms. I am aware that we get 6 weeks 90% pay and then 33 weeks £194.32 approx. a week (in Wales). My confusion is, does this figure of £194.32 a week get affected if you’ve had high sickness due to pregnancy?
And if you then don’t qualify for SMP, which I can imagine I won’t due to my high sickness. Then do I need to applying for Maternity Allowance and then this is £194.32 approx. a week, and does this change at all?
Thanks so much! Anyone with experience in this with opinions would be greatly appreciated 🙌🏻
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Your sickness doesn’t affect SMP. What affects it is continuous employment. So assuming you qualify for SMO your 6 weeks at 90% will be affected by your sick leave if you are hourly paid as that is based on a reference period of earning prior to maternity leave. Also note that if you are on sick leave, 4 weeks before your maternity leave is due to begin, then your maternity leave will start automatically 4 weeks earlier.
If you do not meet the continuous service requirement for SMP then you need to apply for Maternity Allowance
So I’ve been employed and will continue to be employed by the same employer since January 2026, the only part of SMP will be effected due to sickness is my first 6 weeks payments but not the following 33 at £194.32 a week then right?
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