Can you claim benefits while on maternity leave?
You may be able to stay on your payments or you may be able to appeal a decision. If you are told that you are being paid benefit while you are on maternity leave, it is possible that you may not be able to leave the childcare element of your benefit completely. You should check with your local authority for out-of-hours benefits advice.
You may still be treated as working if you start to receive SMP after your maternity leave, or if you complete your maternity leave and your baby is born, for example, if you start to work after your maternity leave, you would then be treated as working the hours you used to work if you had not been paid SMP.
If you are dismissed or suspended from your job due to unsatisfactory performance on the job, your employer must give you an award of redundancy pay (or, in some cases, SMP) within seven days of being told of your dismissal or suspension. You may be entitled to a 4 week run-on of SMP when you start your new job (or, if you have been dismissed, during early maternity leave and after early maternity leave) if you have a qualifying reason not to return to work.
You may still be treated as working if you report your dismissal or suspension to the relevant authority, and if you accept a job offer that includes a position with Santander Maternity Allowance. If you do not respond to an offer of work within the time allowed, the employer may be able to make you work for free on a limited basis.
Santander Maternity Allowance is paid to pregnant women and parents who are experiencing difficulties in work or are about to start work and who have a qualifying child. The amount of Santander Maternity Allowance you receive depends on your income and circumstances. It is payable for everyone aged 16 and over, regardless of whether they are employed, unemployed or on sick leave.
Santander Maternity Allowance is paid to the mother when her baby is born in the Family Allowance. The amount of maternity leave and paternity pay you receive depends on the number of children your partner has, and also on the age of your baby.
Can you claim benefits while on maternity leave?
You could claim during or after maternity leave, depending on your circumstances. The childcare element of Working Tax Credit is paid into your childcare costs, so if you don’t qualify for Working Tax Credit during maternity you could be entitled to it after you have had a baby.
If you are working, your maternity pay will be taken into account as income for Universal Credit but you will not be entitled to any Universal Credit during or after maternity leave.
Are you entitled to maternity benefits?
Yes you are entitled to maternity benefits if you are working or self-employed. You must be self-employed to be entitled to maternity benefits.
Are you entitled to maternity carers’ allowance?
Yes you are entitled to maternity carers’ allowance if you are working or self-employed. You must be working or self-employed to be entitled to maternity carers’ allowance.
Can I get cash benefits from my local authority/council for work-related activities during maternity?
No you cannot get cash benefits from your local authority/council during or after your baby is born. However, you could be entitled to benefits if you have a working family and/or your childcare costs are affordable.
Is there a limit to the total amount of Universal Credit you can claim?
No, there is no limit to the total amount of Universal Credit you can claim. However, there is a limit to the total number of people who can be included in your claim. This is because some families have multiple claimants, with different needs and/or abilities.
How much does it cost to get on the Universal Credit?
It is possible to get Universal Credit while you are pregnant. You must first be registered as a childcare provider and, if you are not yet registered, you must complete the childcare element of your claim.
Can I still get Universal Credit if I have changed my mind about childcare?
You may be able to appeal a decision to reduce your Working Tax Credit limit, but please do not send in medical certificates or medical reports to contest the decision.
