Maternity Leave for Lash Techs
What Financial Help are you Entitled to as a Lash Tech/ Business Owner?
➡️Heyyyyy my loves it's Lis!⬅️
I hope you've been enjoying the series so far and finding it helpful !! I know there's a lot of info to remember so here's all the bits I couldn't fit into the videos in regards to what money you're entitled too!
Here's what you need to know:
🍒If You're Employed (PAYE)
If you work for a salon or beauty business as an employee, you may be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
✅Eligibility
You'll qualify if:
- You've worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date.
- You earn at least £123 per week (before tax).
- You've given your employer the correct notice and your MAT B1 form from your midwife.
How Much You'll Get
- First 6 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax).
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Next 33 weeks: £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
That's up to 39 weeks of paid maternity leave.
You can take up to 52 weeks total, with the final 13 weeks unpaid (discuss this with your employer).
🍒If You're Self-Employed (PAYE)
Sooo many of us lash techs fall into this category - running your own business as a sole trader. You won't qualify for SMP, but you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance.
✅Eligibility
You can get Maternity Allowance if you:
- Have been self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date.
- Have paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions.
-
Have earned at least £30 a week over any 13 of those 66 weeks.
How Much You'll Get
You could receive:
- Up to £184.03 per week for 39 weeks (depending on your average earnings and NI contributions)
Maternity Allowance is usually paid every two or four weeks directly into your bank account.REMEMBER!!!!! Even if your lash business income fluctuates, as long as you meet the NI and minimum earning requirements, you should qualify.
🍒If You're the Director of Your Company (LTD)
If you've registered your lash business as a limited company and pay yourself a salary, you're technically an employee of your own business. That means you could qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay just like anyone else on PAYE.
✅Eligibility
- Be on the company payroll (PAYE).
- Have been employed by your company for at least 26 weeks before the 15th week before your due date.
- Earn at least £123 per week (before tax).
- Provide your MAT B1 form.
How It Works
- Pays you SMP through its payroll (just like a salary).
- Claims it back from HMRC - usually 92%, or 103% if your company qualifies for small employers' relief.
- Average weekly earnings: £184.62
- First 6 weeks: 90% = £166.16/week
- Next 33 weeks: £166.16/week (as it's lower than £184.03 SMP rate)
- Total SMP: £6,480.24 over 39 weeks
- Company Reclaims: £6,674.65 (including the 3% top-up)
So your business pays you SMP through payroll and then gets that money back from HMRC - a win-win for lash techs running limited companies.
🍒What If You Don't Qualify for Any of the Above?
If you find that you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, don't panic - you've still got options!
Here's What You Can Do:
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Contact your local Jobcentre Plus - You may be eligible for Universal Credit or Income Support while you're off work, depending on your household income and savings.
-
Check your National Insurance record - Sometimes, simply paying any missing Class 2 National Insurance contributions can help you qualify for Maternity Allowance after all.
-
Look into your partner's benefits - If your partner works, they might be eligible for Shared Parental Leave or Pay, which can offer some additional flexibility and financial help.
- Start building a maternity fund early - Even putting aside a small amount each month can make a big difference when you take time off. Treat it like a "maternity savings pot" within your lash business finances (more help on how to save coming soon).
- Plan ahead for your return - Whether you'll slowly return to clients, launch something online, or increase prices when you're back, having a plan can ease the pressure.
DON'T FORGET!!!!! Many lash artists have been in this situation - it doesn't mean you've failed, it just means you'll need to plan strategically.
What if you're too sick to work?
Pregnancy can be an incredible experience, but it can also be physically demanding, especially in the early & late stages. If you're self-employed and suddenly too sick, exhausted, or unwell to work, it can feel scary. No sick pay, no employer to rely on, and no guaranteed income!
If this is you, please know, you do have options!!!! You are protected, and there is support available.
This section breaks it down in a simple, step-by-step guide so you know exactly what you're entitled to, what to apply for, and how to financially protect yourself while you rest and recover.
🍒Understand Your Options (Your Entitlements as a Self-Employed Person)
If pregnancy sickness (including hyperemesis) is stopping you from working, here's what you may be entitled to...
Maternity allowance!
You can claim this from 26 weeks pregnant, but you can prepare early.
You may get either:
- £184.03 per week for 39 weeks, OR
- £27 per week (depending on NIC contributions)
This doesn't help in the first trimester, but it's good to be aware of.
Universal Credit
You can apply at any point if pregnancy sickness stops you working and your income dips.
This is based on your household income, savings, and rent situation.
If you're self-employed you can claim UC even if you're normally above the Minimum Income Floor...pregnancy counts as a valid reason to challenge that.
This can help top up your income while you're too unwell to work.
Employment & support allowance
If you're self-employed you can sometimes claim ESA if you've paid enough Class 2 NIC over the past few years & you have a fit note from your GP confirming you're too sick to work.
This is especially relevant if:
- You're losing income
- Sickness leaves you unable to do your job eg see clients/teach courses etc
- You've had complications or severe pregnancy sickness
Your GP can issue a fit note for pregnancy-related illness.
Council support / Maternity grants
Depending on your situation you might also be able to get;
- Sure Start Maternity Grant (£500)
- Housing assistance
- Council hardship funds
Not everyone qualifies, but it's worth checking if your income has dropped significantly due to sickness.
Even though you can't start claiming MA until you're 26 weeks pregnant, you can still get prepared before, to relieve some stress.
Make sure you're tracking any dips in your income eg. if you normally see X clients and make £X a week but because of X during you're pregnancy you're now only making X.
Don't forget to check your NI contributions (you may have to pay a bit more) to get money you're entitled to.
If you're still working but struggling you can always look into;
- Reducing your hours
- Taking fewer clients
- Switching to lighter treatments (lash lifts instead of lash extensions)
- Blocking in breaks in your diary
- Adjusting your room (chair, lighting, posture)
- Increasing prices temporarily to offset cancelled clients
- Switching to digital income (eg selling aftercare kits, online courses, affiliate sales)
Make sure you're always putting yourself and your baby first!
If you're too sick to work the system does have help for you, you just need to know what you're entitled to.
A lil disclaimer - This blog is for general guidance only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Always check the latest info on https://gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave or speak with an accountant for personalised advice.
There are a few different options, so if you can't see the one that applies to you, just get in touch so we can add it on for you.
