Maternity Allowance During Covid

[Mon19888]

hello,

I work for NHS as a bank staff but with an employment contract. I got pregnant last Dec but became very ill until end of Feb so I didn't work. As soon as I felt okay to work, the government named pregnant women as vulnerable to covid. So I continued to stay at home a live off savings. My work couldn't pay me SMP as I didn't qualify and rightful so. I then applied to Maternity Allowance to see if I could get that as it covered a longer time span. They gave declined saying I wasn't employed for 26 weeks within a certain period. I have proved all income that is required and I have been employed. I agree I havent 'physically worked' for 26 weeks but I did for 20 weeks and had covid not been in existence, I would have worked in all my capacity.

Does anyone have any advice? If I appeal can I be successful and has anyone had a similar issue due to covid?

Thanks a lot

You need to be employed for 26 weeks, not necessarily working. Bank staff aren't usually considered to be employees though. Could you clarify the nature of your employment contract?

Hello, thanks for your reply. Its a bank with NHS specifically so I still work fir the NHS exclusively and I have a contract of employment with terms and I can get a letter from them confirming employment. The issue they have is that I didn't actually work.

Contact citizens advice. They can’t leave you with no money. Have you applied for universal credit in the meantime?