Is debt advice really free?

Yes, with the charities and services listed above. They are funded so you do not have to pay. If a company asks for an up-front fee for advice, stop and check them against the Financial Conduct Authority's register first.

Will getting debt advice affect my credit score?

Talking to an adviser does not affect your credit file. Some solutions, such as a debt management plan or IVA, can be recorded on it. An adviser will explain the effects before you choose.

Will the adviser judge me?

No. Debt advisers help people from all walks of life, and what you tell them is confidential. Many people get into debt after a job loss, illness, relationship breakdown or a rise in living costs.

Does Sterlingsum give debt advice?

No. Sterlingsum is an information site and is not authorised to give debt advice. We link to organisations that are. We do not receive payment from any of the services listed on this page.

Maternity pay and leave explained

How much maternity pay you could get, who qualifies and how to plan your money.

The short answer

Most employees who are pregnant can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave. If you qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you get up to 39 weeks of it: 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% of your earnings, whichever is lower, for the next 33 weeks.

Who qualifies

Maternity leave: you must be an employee and give your employer the right notice. GOV.UK says it does not matter how long you have worked for them, how many hours you work or how much you are paid.
Maternity Pay (SMP): you must have worked for your employer continuously for 26 weeks up to the qualifying week, which is the 15th week before your due date. You must also earn at least £129 a week on average, and give the right notice and proof of pregnancy.
If you do not qualify for SMP, your employer must give you form SMP1 within 7 days explaining why. You may then be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead.

A simple example

Suppose you earn £30,000 a year, around £577 a week. For the first 6 weeks you would get 90%, about £519 a week before tax. For the next 33 weeks, 90% is still more than the flat rate, so you would get £194.32 a week. Some employers pay more than the statutory minimum, so check your contract, because enhanced maternity pay can make a big difference.

Planning your money

Work out your take-home pay during leave, which can fall a lot after the first 6 weeks. Use the budget helper to plan.
Check what else you could claim. See Child Benefit and the Child Benefit calculator, Healthy Start and Universal Credit.
Tell your employer by the 15th week before your due date, or as soon as you reasonably can, and check any notice rules in your contract.

Where to learn more

This guide is for information only and is not benefits, employment or legal advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.