How long will I get SMP?

Author: Ms. Antonina Padberg III  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

If you qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) it is paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks. It is paid: for the first six weeks at 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings with no upper limit.

How long will I receive my maternity benefits?

In all the above instances, the maternity leave benefit can be credited as combinations of prenatal and postnatal leave as long as it does not exceed 105 days or 60 days, as the case may be. In no case shall postnatal care be less than 60 days.

How much SMP will I get per month?

For the first six weeks, SMP is paid at 90% of your normal earnings in the reference period. For the next 33 weeks, it is paid at the same 90% of your normal earnings or the flat rate, whichever is lower. Linda is paid monthly on the 26th of each month.

How do I know when my maternity allowance ends?

You should give the notice period stated in your contract. You do not have to work your notice period if you give notice during your maternity leave e.g. one month before the end of your leave. You are entitled to a full year of leave, although your maternity pay will end after 39 weeks.

How long before your due date should you go on maternity leave?

Standard Recommendation: Many women start their maternity leave around 4 to 6 weeks before their due date. This allows time for rest and preparation for the baby's arrival. Health Considerations: If you have a high-risk pregnancy or experience complications, you may need to start your leave earlier.

How Statutory Maternity Pay Works in the UK? Your Benefits, Paid and Unpaid Maternity Leave

What is the average paid maternity leave in the US?

The state of California offers qualifying employees up to 8 weeks of paid maternity leave. This benefit is funded through the state's employee-paid payroll taxes and covers approximately 60-70 percent of a person's weekly salary.

When should I finish my work for maternity leave?

If you're entitled to maternity leave and pay, you can choose to start it either: from up to 11 weeks before your baby is due. the day you give birth.

Can I extend my maternity leave?

If you want to take more than a year off

You don't have a right to more than a year of maternity leave, but your employer might agree to let you take extra time away from work. Any extra time won't be classed as maternity leave, so you won't have your maternity leave rights for that time.

Can you take maternity leave and then quit?

You're not legally required to return to work after maternity or paternity leave. You can quit your job at any time, for any reason. Unless you are required by contract to stay in your job for a certain amount of time, you're an at-will employee and are legally entitled to quit.

How long do you get maternity benefit?

If you have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions, you are entitled to Maternity Benefit for the 26 weeks' of basic maternity leave. Your PRSI contributions can be from employment or self-employment. Maternity Benefit does not cover additional maternity leave.

How long do you get SMP?

Statutory Maternity Pay ( SMP ) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get: 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks.

How many weeks pregnant do you get maternity pay?

You can apply for Maternity Allowance as soon as you've been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start any time between the 11th week before your baby is due and the day after the baby is born. This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg), British Sign Language (BSL) and easy read format.

Can I take maternity leave after a miscarriage?

You may have a right to take time off work to receive care related to an abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth, as well as the time you need to recover or care for yourself afterwards. This includes time off that you may need to access care, such as attending appointments and time to travel out of state.

What is the maximum maternity leave?

Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'.

What is enhanced maternity pay?

Enhanced maternity pay

Some employers offer more than statutory maternity pay. This can be called 'enhanced' or 'contractual' maternity pay. For example, you might get 26 weeks of full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay.

Can you get temporary unemployment for maternity leave?

If you choose not to work because you are pregnant, you cannot receive unemployment compensation. However, if your company fires you because of your pregnancy (and you are “able and available” for work), you can receive unemployment compensation.

Can you get maternity leave twice?

You have the right to 12 months of maternity leave and can negotiate a further 12 months with your employer if you require it. This period will be classified as one maternity leave. 1 maternity leave is allowed per pregnancy.

How much SMP will I get?

SMP rates are as follows

The first 6 weeks are paid at the rate of 90% of the average weekly earnings and at the standard SMP rate for the remaining 33 weeks.

What is the longest maternity leave?

Bulgaria – 410 days

Bulgaria is the country with the best maternity leave in the world, offering new parents an incredible 410 days of paid time off.

Can you go on the sick straight after maternity leave?

Once your maternity leave has ended you are treated as if you are 'back at work' even if you are not well enough to actually go into work. You are entitled to take sick leave and should be treated in the same way as any other employee who is off sick. You and your employer should follow the normal sickness procedures.

How long do most jobs give you for maternity leave?

On average, working moms get around 10 weeks off — paid and unpaid combined — but it's a complete lottery depending on where you work. Only 27% of employees have access to paid family leave, and most rely on the 12 weeks of unpaid leave offered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

How many months do you have to go back to work after maternity leave?

Your rights when you go back to work after maternity leave

If you're returning to work after 26 weeks or less, you're entitled to return to the same job. If you're returning after more than 26 weeks, you still have the right to return to the same job unless your employer has a good business reason why not.

How do I get my doctor to take me off work for pregnancy?

How Can You Request A Doctor's Note? Obtaining a doctor's note depends on why you need one. For example, if you request a doctor's note for pregnancy restrictions, you can call your doctor and ask them to give you an excuse not to work. You will have to visit the office if it is more complicated.

What is considered a good maternity package?

The most common option for employers is to offer full pay for the first six weeks or more when the employee takes maternity leave, instead of 90% of their average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks.

Which state has the most paid maternity leave?

Connecticut was named the best state for working parents with a score of 52.6 out of 60 for its generous maternity leave of 12 paid weeks off, and being one of the states with the highest-rated public schools and where the average parent will only have to dedicate 25% of their annual income to cover child care expenses ...

Previous article
What is the awkward stage of beard growth?
Next article
How do you seal hair color after dying it?