Universal Credit and other in-work benefits - a guide for union reps and workers (April 2019)

Chapter 5

Statutory Maternity Pay

[ch 5: page 48]

In addition to your right to maternity leave, you have the right to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) if you:

• have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks prior to the 15th week before your baby is due (the “qualifying week”);

• had average earnings of at least £118 a week in the eight weeks (or two months if paid monthly) prior to the qualifying week (if the end of your qualifying week is in the 2019-20 tax year);

• gave your employer medical evidence of your pregnancy and told them of the date when you intended to stop work and start claiming SMP; and

• have stopped work.


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