Maternity allowance start date

[MyDcAreMarvel]

I am really confused, when you claim maternity allowance how do the dwp know the date you want to start claiming from?
I want to claim from the day baby is born not before, however obviously I have to send claim form in advance.
Does anyone know how it works?

Is there nowhere on the form to put a date?

I can’t see anywhere unless am just totally missing it?

Hopeful bump.

Part 4 asks what date you want it to start

Thank you @dementedpixie, am sure this pregnancy is affecting even my ability to read a simple form!

But be warned they may just start it at random. My ds was due in February and I sent the form in November as soon as I could submit it. I specified a 1st February start date. They started it from November on the day they processed the form!

Thanks for the heads up @minditopia, am planning on sharing parental leave with my dh. He gets 26 weeks on full pay, and I am self employed so can both be at home at the same time.
Any weeks I get paid MA he will lose from his parental leave.

When its approved you have to fill in another form saying either the date you finished working or the date your baby is born to start claiming so put down your due date for now then actual date when you know it.

@WilsonandNoodles thank you, that’s useful to know. I was a sahm with my other dc so never claimed any maternity benefits before.

Be warned they take their time over payment. Baby has been here for a month and I still haven't had any money.

@WilsonandNoodles that’s awful I hope you get paid soon.
Did they approve it but then just not actually pay?

Yes approved end of March and I sent the form requesting payment from 1st April. I rang today and they have said the payment has just been made.