I've not been employed in the year my first has been born but plan to work from Sep - until my next is due!
I don't think I'm entitled to anything as Mat allowance is saying I've had to work at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before babys due
Maybe speak with your company or citizen advice x
I think there is a calculator online for maternity allowance. You can put some dates in and it tells you. Best thing to do at work is tell them (whenever that may be) and they will tell you. What does your employee handbook say?
I work in HR. If you were pregnant before you started your job you will not be entitled to maternity pay, but can still get maternity leave for 52 weeks. When you get your matb1 give it to your employer do they can provide you with a form (SMP1) to confirm your not entitled to pay and you can then apply for maternity allowance via gov.uk. Don't forget you still need to inform your employee when you want to go on maternity leave and give 8 weeks notice to go back if your going back before the 52 weeks. Also they still have a duty of care to look after you and bump while you work their so time off for appointments, h&s risk assessments etc.
This was me last year too haha. I live in the US, but look for short term disability leave options. I took that when I gave birth and was paid for 6 weeks out of the 12 I could have taken (I wasn’t approved for an extension).
Have a look at maternity allowance, you may be eligible if you’ve been employed for a certain amount of weeks within the last year I think