Maternity allowance - how to claim?

[shopgirl771]

ive just been doing some research online about MA. I dont think this time ill be eligible for SMP but should be for MA however it seems to suggest on the direct gov website that i have to apply for this myself thru the job centre. last time when i got smp it just came straight thru my employer, i didnt have to do anything.

has anyone else here any experience of getting MA and can tell me if i need to arrange this myself or does my employer do it for me???

im just worried as im only just under the bracket for SMP and between now and my EDD i may well be in line with the SMP threshold so i dont want to apply for MA if im entitled to SMP. i get the impression u have to apply in advance for MA. i hope i make sense. lol

thanks x

 

[Linzi]

Hi hun

Ask your employer first off if you're entitled to SMP - why do you think you aren't? In my case, I hadn't been employed with them long enough to get it.

You can download a form online, which you fill in. It asks you on there what date you want the MA to start. You also have to send in 13 weeks worth of payslips to prove your income and your form you get from the midwife at 24 weeks confirming your pregnancy & EDD (I cant remember what this is called now!)

You dont have to go in to the job centre, you can just send the form off to the office. I dont have the address anymore but I just called the helpline and they gave me it.

Once they had received and processed the application form (think it took about 4 weeks) they send another form out for you to fill in & sign, and return to them. They also include the documents you sent to them previously. When this has been processed, you get confirmation in the post that they will start paying into your account and when this begins.

Its quite simple and easily explained on the first form what you have to do, and I found it only took about 5 weeks for them to complete the application in full and start paying me.

Any more questions please ask xxx