Maternity Pay When Changing Jobs: What Happens to Your Entitlement

Maternity Pay When You Change Jobs

Changing jobs while pregnant — whether by choice or circumstance — raises important questions about your maternity pay entitlement. The answer depends on when you changed jobs relative to your due date and how long you've been with your new employer.

The 26-Week Employment Rule

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you must have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the qualifying week (the 15th week before your due date).

This means:

•If you change jobs after the qualifying week: You may still qualify with your original employer (if you're still employed)

•If you change jobs before completing 26 weeks with the new employer: You won't qualify for SMP from them

•If you're between jobs: You won't qualify for SMP from either employer

Calculating Your Qualifying Date

Your qualifying week is approximately 25 weeks before your due date. To qualify for SMP, you need 26 weeks of service by this point. That means you need to have started your job no later than approximately 51 weeks before your due date — nearly a year.

Use our Maternity Leave Planner to calculate your exact qualifying week.

Maternity Allowance — Your Safety Net

If you don't qualify for SMP because you've changed jobs, Maternity Allowance (MA) is your primary alternative. The great news is that MA has much more flexible eligibility:

•You need to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date

•These 26 weeks can be with any employer — they don't need to be with the same one

•You need to have earned at least £30 per week in any 13 of those weeks

This means that even if you've changed jobs multiple times, you're likely to qualify for MA.

MA Rate

The maximum rate is £194.32 per week for 39 weeks (the same flat rate as SMP), and critically, Maternity Allowance is completely tax-free.

Scenarios Explained

Scenario 1: Changed Jobs Midway Through Pregnancy

You were employed at Company A for 3 years, left, and started at Company B at 20 weeks pregnant.

•SMP from Company B? No — you won't have 26 weeks' service by the qualifying week

•SMP from Company A? No — you're no longer employed there

•Maternity Allowance? Yes — you've been employed for well over 26 weeks in the 66-week window

•Your entitlement: MA at up to £194.32/week for 39 weeks

Scenario 2: Started New Job Just Before Getting Pregnant

You started a new job in January and found out you were pregnant in March, with a due date in December.

•Your qualifying week is approximately September

•By September, you'll have about 35 weeks of service — more than 26 weeks

•SMP from your employer? Yes — as long as you earn at least £129/week

Scenario 3: Made Redundant While Pregnant

If you're made redundant during pregnancy:

•Your employer must offer you any suitable alternative vacancy (you have priority)

•If there's no alternative, you may receive SMP if you were employed long enough before the qualifying week

•If not, claim Maternity Allowance

What You Should Do

1.Calculate your qualifying week using our date planner

2.Check your service length — count back 26 weeks from the qualifying week

3.If you don't qualify for SMP: Ask your employer for form SMP1 (they must provide this)

4.Apply for Maternity Allowance: Use form MA1 from GOV.UK, including the SMP1 form

5.Don't delay: Apply for MA from week 26 of pregnancy

Your Rights as a New Employee

Even if you've just started a new job, you have rights:

•52 weeks of maternity leave — available from day one of employment (but leave, not pay)

•Paid time off for antenatal appointments — from day one

•Protection from dismissal — from the moment you tell your employer

•Health and safety protections — immediate

Read more about your pregnancy rights at work.

TUPE Transfers

If your employer is taken over or your role is transferred under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment), your continuity of service is preserved. This means:

•Your service with the old employer counts towards the 26-week SMP qualifying period with the new employer

•Your existing terms and conditions, including any enhanced maternity pay, are protected

•Your new employer cannot reduce your maternity entitlement as part of the transfer

•If you're pregnant during a TUPE transfer, you're additionally protected from redundancy and unfair dismissal

This is particularly relevant for workers in outsourced services, the public sector, or during company mergers. If you're unsure whether your transfer qualifies as a TUPE transfer, seek advice from your union or ACAS.

Financial Planning When Changing Jobs

Changing jobs during pregnancy requires extra financial planning:

•Calculate your Maternity Allowance if SMP isn't available

•Check Child Benefit — available regardless of employment

•Plan your budget based on MA rather than SMP

•Consider that MA is tax-free — your take-home may be similar to SMP during the flat-rate period

•Use our Take-Home Pay Calculator to compare scenarios