LRD guides and handbook April 2017

State benefits and tax credits 2017

Chapter 5

Statutory Maternity Pay



[ch 5: page 61]

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 £113 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 2017-18 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.