What maternity benefits do I get if unemployed?
The unfortunate truth is maternity benefits are usually available for expectant women who form part of the country’s working population. The most common maternity benefits include the Statutory Maternity Pay and the Maternity Allowance. If unemployed, one can at least have some hopes with the Maternity Allowance as it promises benefits at the 11th week prior to the time your baby is expected to be delivered. However, it also requires one to have been employed for a given duration of time to increase your chances of eligibility. It is therefore necessary to get more advice for your specific circumstance through the maternity helpline. Though no specifications are made when it comes to whether the applicant should be in a part time or full time employment, it is clearly outlined that one ought to be earning a least amount of £30 on a weekly basis for them to qualify. Its advantage all the same is the fact that the restriction of the income limit will not be applicable to you like when you apply for the statutory maternity pay. As for the SMP, apart for the income limit restriction imposed on applicants, one is required to have been working for the particular employer whom they are demanding the pay from for a continuous duration of six and a half months. Therefore, when you are planning to have a baby and you are not employed, the first thing to embark on should be seeking employment as it is only after you are employed that you can have the opportunity of enjoying any maternity benefit uk. However, if your partner can sustain you during your pregnancy, you may still remain unemployed and earn some benefits after the birth of the child for instance child benefit. Even then, you will still be at a loss of benefits like child tax credit which may require you to be employed for qualification.
