Motherhood in Great Britain. Child benefits in different countries of the world Maternity leave in England

In Great Britain, expectant mothers have a certain set of rights and privileges that are guaranteed to them by the state.

1. A British citizen has the right to maternity leave, prenatal pay and other government support.

The government provides an opportunity for a pregnant woman to receive assistance from the state in real time. To do this, you can independently calculate the period of your pregnancy. The website also has a special calculator with which you can calculate the amount of government assistance. 2. While on maternity leave, a woman also has certain rights. This list includes promotion wages

and the right to return to your job after leave. 3. The period of maternity leave is 52 weeks.

This period is divided into two stages - the first 26 weeks (ordinary maternity leave) and additional leave - another 26 weeks. You don't need to take 52 weeks of leave right away, but after the birth of your baby you are entitled to take two weeks (or four weeks if you work in a factory). In addition, a woman has the right to take part of her maternity leave and include it in her general maternity leave. You can schedule your maternity leave on this 4. A woman can go on maternity leave 11 weeks before the expected week of birth.

Leave automatically begins the day after the birth of the child if the birth took place earlier than planned. 5. Statutory Maternity Benefit (SMP) is paid for 39 weeks.

You are getting:

– 90% of average weekly earnings before taxes for the first six weeks;

– the government provides a payment of £140.98 or 90% of weekly earnings for the next 33 weeks;

– SMP is paid on the same principle as salary – weekly or monthly, taking into account tax and insurance contributions from the moment of maternity leave. 6. Problems that a pregnant woman may encounter.

Ask your employer for details of their maternity benefits if you think these figures are unfair. If you are not satisfied with the answer, you can contact the tax office for assistance for appropriate analysis. If you have a stable job, you can notify your employer about your upcoming maternity leave. It doesn't matter how many hours a day you work in his company or how much money you get paid. However, you are not entitled to maternity leave if you are a surrogate mother.

8. To qualify for maternity benefits, you must receive at least £113 per week. In addition, you must provide documentation that you are indeed pregnant, have been working continuously for at least 26 weeks, and notify your employer 15 weeks before the expected birth.

9. You are also entitled to leave if you have lost a child. If a child is stillborn or dies after childbirth, the woman still receives assistance from the state and the right to leave.

10. Notify your employer that you are going on maternity leave at least 28 days before going on vacation. In this case, he will require you written statement, and you must write it. In addition, the employer has the right to require a document confirming pregnancy - in this case, you can provide a doctor’s certificate. If all the requirements are met, the employer has no right not to pay you maternity leave. If any document is missing, the vacation may not be paid.

11. Your employer must confirm within 28 days how much Statutory Maternity Payment (SMP) you will receive and for how long.

If he decides that you are not entitled to payment, he must give you an SMP1 form within 7 days of the decision and explain why he is not going to pay for the holiday. 12. The state grants a woman the right to additional financial assistance after the birth of the child.

This includes child benefit, plus a £500 maternity start-up allowance if this is your first child. The employer does not have the right to pay maternity benefits less than the amount provided by law. In addition, a woman can claim 18 weeks of unpaid leave after the birth of a child.

13. Notify the employer at least 8 weeks in advance about the date of your return to work. British laws: maternity leave updated: May 11, 2019 by:

Dmitry Melnikov

This week, the British Royal Court confirmed the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their second child. About what parenting traditions the royal family had previously adopted and how they are changing with new generations. But how do mere mortal parents of Misty Albion live? official maternity leave in the UK is 52 weeks, of which 26 are regular maternity leave and the next 26 weeks are additional leave.

You don’t have to take maternity leave at all, but young mothers are required to spend at least two weeks with their child after giving birth (four if you work in a factory). You can go on maternity leave no earlier than 11 weeks before your due date. Or it starts “automatically” if premature birth occurs, or expectant mother absent from work due to health reasons in the last four weeks before giving birth.

At least 15 weeks before the date of birth, a pregnant woman must notify her employer that she plans to go on maternity leave (most employers will ask you to do this in writing), and provide documents confirming pregnancy (certificate from a doctor).

After the application, the company has 28 days to approve the start and end dates of the leave, and also indicate whether the mother is entitled to receive payments during maternity leave (depending on the duration and work with this employer and salary per week).

The state ensures that the mother is preserved workplace - she has the right to return to her job 26 or 52 weeks after giving birth. If the previous position cannot be provided after 52 weeks, the company is required to offer another position while maintaining the levels of compensation and responsibility that the mother had before the maternity leave.

New mothers do not receive an automatic right to part-time work or a flexible schedule until they formally request it from their employer. If this opportunity is denied unreasonably, it is considered discrimination. There are a lot of non-governmental organizations (Rights of Women, Maternity Action and others) that you can turn to for help and advice if parents have difficulties with their employer regarding working conditions.

For now the father can take up to two weeks of regular maternity leave and up to 26 weeks of additional leave if the mother returns to work.

From April 5, 2015, in Britain, both parents will have the right to share maternity leave among themselves - you can take several alternating “shifts”, you can even take 52 weeks in parallel (i.e., both parents can be at home for 26 weeks). What is this if not the most striking confirmation of emancipation and justice?!

As in other countries, in the UK women make up an increasing proportion of the working population. Thus, the number of women among all workers in the country has increased by 80% since 1995 alone. About 80-85% of working women decide to have a child. Of them about a third do not return to work or have great difficulty returning to working life.

Flexible working or part-time work has become easier to negotiate in the UK recently, not least following the relatively visible 'returns' to work of local celebrities such as singer Lily Allen, Working Women's Committee head Ruby McGregor-Smith or academic women who after maternity leave they made breakthroughs in science.

But in the country still there is an unspoken understanding, both from mothers and from employers, that it will be almost impossible to build a brilliant career immediately after maternity leave and will have to sacrifice either time with children or career expectations.

Grandparents (as well as sisters and brothers of parents) can also receive a certain “benefit” from raising grandchildren/nephews. If they are the ones looking after a child under 12 years of age for at least 20 hours a week, parents can transfer so-called “national insurance credits” to them, on the basis of which the pension is calculated, that is, a grandmother or sister will be able to receive a larger pension than if they simply their work experience was taken into account. Of course, the parents themselves can use these loans to increase their future pension.

Because healthcare is free in the UK and is provided by the government, most women give birth in regular hospitals and without health insurance. You can give birth in a private hospital, Where the cost of childbirth will range from £10,000 to £30,000, including all accompaniment. But many, even those who gave birth in a private clinic, argue that there is no big difference in service and medical care between private and public hospitals.

By the way, in Britain there is often such an unusual system when a pregnant woman is given a choice of where to give birth - in a birth center or in a hospital (often these are two different parts of the same hospital). There will be a midwife in the center with the woman in labor, no doctors, no planned “cesarean sections”, no anesthesia - the emphasis is on the natural process of childbirth and auxiliary tools - baths, gymnastic devices, aromatherapy, music. But in the event of force majeure, transfer to a hospital is required, which may take time and will be less comfortable, since there are always more people giving birth. Perhaps in this way in the UK they are solving the issue of the workload on doctors, or perhaps they are trying to make the process more “homey” and intimate for women.

Since medicine is free, the state, clinics and doctors try to minimize the time per patient. The pregnant woman will have everything three scheduled ultrasounds/examinations for the entire period and a minimum of tests. The exception is deviations from the normal course of pregnancy, but even in such cases they are very rarely hospitalized “for preservation.”

If the woman giving birth is not a citizen, but a resident(has lived legally in the country for more than six months), then she has the same rights as citizens of the state in terms of childbirth and pregnancy. Tourists or illegal immigrants will certainly have ambulance or will give birth, but have no citizenship, no passport, no additional compensation they won't get it.

Generally UK policy towards new parents is supportive. Everything has been done to ensure that people give birth and raise children: there is protection of jobs, income, support from district children's centers, equipped playgrounds, etc.

According to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (yes, there is one!), average age primigravidas increased to 30 years in 2013. And the most common option is two children in a family.

Among the mental characteristics, I would highlight the following.

1. In Britain, it is customary to come to visit a newborn only at the invitation of the parents.

2. Baptism - an important event for most, not from the point of view of joining the church, but as an opportunity to communicate with relatives and friends and introduce the child to everyone.

3. Since in Great Britain in general and in major cities in particular, there are many people from other countries with their own habits and customs, tolerance is held in high esteem, so no one will be overly eager to help a pregnant woman, for example, to carry something heavy. Plus - no one bothers you. Minus - they do not give up space in transport.

Well, about how developed the infrastructure of Great Britain is and adapted for raising children,

You can receive child benefit

You can receive child benefit regardless of your income or savings until the child reaches 16 years of age, or 20 years if he is not continuing his studies at higher education. educational institution.

Child benefit is £20.70 per week for the first child, £13.70 per week for the remaining children.

Benefits are paid to children in England if:

The child lives with you in the UK;
You provide support for your child living with another person in the European Union, but you are responsible for the maintenance of the child.

To receive benefits you must meet at least one of the following:

Work in the UK under a contract;
Be a freelancer in the UK (self-employed)
Actively look for work in the UK i be listed on the stock exchange (Jobcentre Plus) as a non-robot.

The required documents when submitting a request for child support are a birth certificate or the original adoption certificate.

Once a positive response is received (within 7-8 weeks after submitting the request), benefits will be paid from the date of application (up to three months backdated).

Tax credits

Low income?

For those with low incomes, we can help apply for Tax Credits. There are two types – Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit is allocated to those who have minor children in the UK when their income for the reporting year does not exceed a certain amount.

Working Tax Credit is available to single people (25+ years old) whose income for the tax year does not exceed £12,000, and for couples or families whose total income does not exceed £18,000.

Important to remember! Tax Credit is calculated based on the previous reporting year and is paid in advance. Thus, after the reporting year, you must declare your income. Further progress will depend on whether you are an employee or self-emplyoed.

Housing benefit

Compensation for housing.

If you pay rent and are on a low income, you may be eligible for the Housing and Council Tax Benefit - housing compensation and council tax. The benefit may cover some or all of your rent. The housing allowance is paid by the regional municipality (Council). At first glance, everything may seem very simple - you just need to report your income and place of residence to the Council, but to receive housing benefit you actually need to provide a lot of documents that show your status in the UK, financial situation and more. We will help you collect Required documents and fill out the application.

Maternity benefit

Paid during maternity leave

Pregnant women can receive Maternity Allowance. Maternity benefits are paid up to 39 weeks.

Maternity benefit is equal to 90% of the mother's average weekly salary (with tax) or equal to the standard payment, which as of 6 April 2015 is £139.58 per week.

Maternity benefit is paid for 39 weeks during maternity leave for women:

a) working directly in the company. The benefit is paid if the employer refuses to pay maternity benefits.

b) working as a freelancer (self-employed), if they worked 26 weeks before the birth of the child.

In Great Britain, expectant mothers have a certain set of rights and privileges that are guaranteed to them by the state.

1. A British citizen has the right to maternity leave, prenatal pay and other government support.

The government provides an opportunity for a pregnant woman to receive assistance from the state in real time. To do this, you can independently calculate the period of your pregnancy. The website also has a special calculator with which you can calculate the amount of government assistance. This includes salary increases and the right to return to your job after leave.

and the right to return to your job after leave. 3. The period of maternity leave is 52 weeks.

Leave automatically begins the day after the birth of the child if the birth took place earlier than planned. 5. Statutory Maternity Benefit (SMP) is paid for 39 weeks.

You are getting:

– 90% of average weekly earnings before taxes for the first six weeks;

– the government provides a payment of £140.98 or 90% of weekly earnings for the next 33 weeks;

9. You are also entitled to leave if you have lost a child. If a child is stillborn or dies after childbirth, the woman still receives assistance from the state and the right to leave.

10. Notify your employer that you are going on maternity leave at least 28 days before going on vacation. In this case, he will require a written statement from you, and you must write it. In addition, the employer has the right to require a document confirming pregnancy - in this case, you can provide a doctor’s certificate. If all the requirements are met, the employer has no right not to pay you maternity leave. If any document is missing, the vacation may not be paid.

11. Your employer must confirm within 28 days how much Statutory Maternity Payment (SMP) you will receive and for how long.

12. The state provides a woman with the right to additional financial assistance after the birth of a child. after the birth of the child.

13. Notify the employer at least 8 weeks in advance about the date of your return to work. British laws: maternity leave updated: May 11, 2019 by:

You will be able to receive child benefit if you are responsible for one or more children under the age of 16 (or under 20 if they are in training). The number of children for whom benefits can be received is not limited.

Only one person can receive benefits for the same child.

Any changes in life should be reported to, which deals with all issues related to child support. You will likely have to pay tax if your individual income (or your partner's income) exceeds £50,000.

You may be denied child support, but the form required to receive it must still be completed because:

this will help you get loans social insurance what's important for your state pension;
you will be confident that your child is registered and will receive a Social Security number when they turn 16.

How much will you receive

There are two child benefit rates. For your oldest or only child you will receive £20.70 per week. You will be paid £13.70 per week for each additional child.

If you have been paid too much or too little, you should contact. You can get Guardian's Allowance if you are raising someone else's child because one or both parents have died. It is paid in addition to child benefit.

Breakup or formation of a new family

In the event of a family breakdown, you will receive £20.70 per week for the eldest child living with you.

Example

If you have two children and one of them stays with you, you will receive £20.70 per week. If your ex-partner is claiming Second Child Benefit, they will receive £20.70 per week for the second child. If you both want to receive benefits for the same child,this will be allowedjust one of you.

If two families merge, £20.70 will be paid for the oldest child in the new family. If you are receiving benefit for another child, your payment will be £13.70.

How and when is child benefit paid?

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on Monday or Tuesday. You may receive money every week if you are a single parent or receive certain other benefits such as Income Support.

The money can go into any of your accounts other than a Nationwide Building Society account that is in someone else's name. Funds will only go to one account.

Income over £50k.

You may have to pay tax if your individual income (or your partner's income) is more than £50k.

If you have moved to the UK

You can receive child benefit if your main home is in the UK and you have permission to remain in the UK.

If your child goes to work or receives separate benefits

You will stop receiving child benefit as soon as your child:

starts working for pay 24 or more hours a week and stops studying;
will begin an internship in England (as an administrative and political part of Great Britain);
will start receiving its own benefits, such as Low Income Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or tax credits.

Tax calculation

You will still be entitled to child benefit even if you decide not to receive it because you or your partner earn more than £50,000 in income. Stopping child support payments will not affect your entitlement. You can always change your mind and start receiving benefits again.

How to apply for benefits

Fill out and send it to the Child Benefit Office, attaching the original birth or adoption certificate of the child, to the following address:

Child Benefit Office (GB)
Washington
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE88 1ZD

When to apply

It may take up to 12 weeks for your application to be processed (or longer if you have just arrived in the UK).

Apply for benefits as soon as your baby is born or as soon as your baby comes to live with you.

Child benefit can be received retroactively for up to three months.

If you do not have a birth or adoption certificate, you should still complete and submit the form. You will send the certificate later when you receive it.

You do not need these documents if you have previously received child benefits and want to receive benefits again for the same child.

Additional Information

Change of circumstances

You must inform the Child Benefit Office of any changes in your life.

These include:

changes in family life, for example marriage;
changes in the child's life, such as completion of education.

Complaints

You can make a complaint to the Child Benefit Office if you are unhappy with a decision made about your issue.

Child benefit in the UK: everything you need to know updated: May 10, 2019 by: Elena Abdulaeva