Maternity Benefits Reading Answers

Maternity Benefits Reading Answers consists of 6 questions and forms part of the evaluation framework for the IELTS General Reading test. Candidates have a time limit of 10 minutes to complete the Maternity Benefits Reading Answers. This portion of the IELTS reading evaluation includes various types of questions, including choosing no more than two words and/ or a number from the text.

Maternity Benefits Reading Answers provides a thorough examination of how expectant parents can access financial support through schemes like Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, Child Tax Credit, and Sure Start Maternity Payments. Eligibility and payment amounts vary based on employment status, income, and personal circumstances. For further practice with similar reading evaluations, candidates can check the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Maternity Benefits Reading Answers

If you are expecting a baby, there are a number of benefit schemes that could help you financially. However, eligibility differs for each individual scheme.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

You may be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer. This is a weekly payment, to help make it easier for you to take time off, both before and after the birth of your baby. SMP can be paid for up to 39 weeks.

You are entitled to SMP if you have been employed by the same company for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due. You must also be earning an average of at least £87 per week (before tax). The amount you get depends on how much you earn. For 6 weeks, you will receive 90% of your average weekly earnings. Then you will receive £112.75 per week for the remaining 33 weeks.

Maternity Allowance (MA)

Maternity Allowance (MA) is available to those who are employed or self-employed but not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). You may be entitled to Maternity Allowance if you have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before you are due to give birth. You don’t have to work for the same employer for those 26 weeks. You also don’t have to work full weeks (a part week counts as a full week) during the same period.

Maternity Allowance can be paid for up to 39 weeks, and is either paid at the same standard rate as SMP or 90% of your average weekly earnings. You’ll receive whichever amount is the lower. You can find Maternity Allowance forms at antenatal clinics throughout the country.

Child Tax Credit

If you’re on a low income, over 16, and are responsible for at least one child, you may also be entitled to Child Tax Credit. The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances and income. When income is being assessed, any child benefit, maintenance payments or Maternity Allowance payments will not be classed as income. This means that it will not be taken into account when calculating your Child Tax Credit.

Sure Start Maternity Payments

If you get benefits or Child Tax Credit because you’re on a low income, then you may be entitled to Sure Start Maternity Payments. These are individual grants to help towards the cost of a new baby.

QUESTIONS 21-27

CHOOSE NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER FROM THE TEXT FOR EACH ANSWER.

WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN BOXES 21-27 ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

21. What is the minimum period you must have worked for an employer in order to be eligible for SMP?

Answer: 26 weeks

Supporting statement: “You are entitled to SMP if you have been employed by the same company for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due.”

Keywords: entitled, SMP, 26 weeks, employed

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 2

Explanation: To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you must have worked for the same employer for a minimum of 26 weeks.

22. For how long is SMP payable every week as a percentage of your average weekly earnings?

Answer: 6 weeks

Supporting statement: “For 6 weeks, you will receive 90% of your average weekly earnings.”

Keywords: 6 weeks, 90%, average weekly earnings

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 4

Explanation: The initial part of SMP covers 6 weeks during which you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings.

23. What sum is payable every week as the second part of SMP entitlement?

Answer: £112.75

Supporting statement: “Then you will receive £112.75 per week for the remaining 33 weeks.”

Keywords: receive, £112.75 per week, remaining 33 weeks

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 5

Explanation: After the first 6 weeks, SMP continues at a flat rate of £112.75 per week for the next 33 weeks.

24. What is the maximum length of time MA is payable?

Answer: 39 weeks

Supporting statement: “Maternity Allowance can be paid for up to 39 weeks.”

Keywords: Maternity Allowance, paid, 39 weeks

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 5

Explanation: The maximum period for receiving Maternity Allowance is 39 weeks.

25. Where can MA forms be obtained?

Answer: antenatal clinics

Supporting statement: “You can find Maternity Allowance forms at antenatal clinics throughout the country.”

Keywords: Maternity Allowance forms, antenatal clinics

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 6

Explanation: Maternity Allowance forms are available at antenatal clinics nationwide.

26. Apart from income, what else is considered when assessing how much Child Tax Credit is paid?

Answer: personal circumstances

Supporting statement: “The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances and income.”

Keywords: depend, personal circumstances, income

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: When determining Child Tax Credit, both income and personal circumstances are assessed.

27. What are Sure Start Maternity Payments?

Answer: individual grants

Supporting statement: “These are individual grants to help towards the cost of a new baby.”

Keywords: individual grants, cost of a new baby

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 2

Explanation: Sure Start Maternity Payments are one-time individual grants designed to assist with new baby expenses.

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