Statutory Maternity Pay - SMP

As an employee of Nasa Umbrella, you are by law entitled to certain statutory benefits like Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

 

Statutory Maternity Leave is 52 weeks, and it’s made up of Ordinary Maternity Leave (first 26 weeks) and Additional Maternity Leave (last 26 weeks). You don’t have to take 52 weeks but you must take 2 weeks’ leave after your baby is born.

Usually, the earliest you can start your leave is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. Your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), if you qualify, will start when you take your maternity leave.

 

 

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. If you qualify you get:

  • 90% of your average weekly taxable earnings for the first 6 weeks
  • £184.03 or 90% of your average weekly taxable earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

 

In order for you to qualify to receive SMP you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are classed as an employee
  • You have given your employer (Nasa Umbrella) and your end client/ agency the correct notice for leave (at least 15 weeks before your due date)
  • You have given your employer (Nasa Umbrella) the correct notice for pay (28 days before the date you will stop work and start your SMP)
  • You have given your employer (Nasa Umbrella) proof you’re pregnant (please see below what we require), at least 15 weeks before the baby's due date
  • You earn on average at least £123 a week
  • You have worked for and have been paid by Nasa Umbrella continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the ‘qualifying week’ – the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.

 

Information regarding eligibility criteria can be found here https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim

 

In order for us to assess your eligibility and process SMP we require a copy of your MATB1 certificate – your doctor or midwife will give you this no more than 20 weeks before your due date. We will need this at least 21 days before the date your SMP is due to start. Please kindly email it to payroll@nasaumbrella.com as soon as you have received it.

 

Please also kindly confirm the date you wish to start your Maternity leave, we will need this to calculate your eligibility/ payment schedule.

 

If you qualify to receive SMP through Nasa Umbrella, we will provide you with a payment schedule. If we cannot pay SMP to you we will provide a completed SMP1 form explaining why. This form will also allow you to make a claim for Maternity Allowance directly from your local Jobcentre Plus.

 

Further information on Maternity Leave and SMP can be found on the HMRC website https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/overview