Can I claim maternity allowance again?

[Lokissister]

I claimed maternity allowance from June 2017 - March 2018.

Supposed to be going back to work soon but have just found out I’m pregnant.

Was humming and arring about going back to work as would be working for a loss due to childcare.

If I don’t go back, could I claim maternity allowance again? I’ve looked at the calculator and it all rests on whether the previous MA I received counts as earned income. Does anyone know if it does?

This is a huge factor as to whether I actually return to work or not and I need to let my employer know by next Monday what I’m doing.

Thanks

I don't think you will be eligible if you aren't working at all. Otherwise all SAHMs would be claiming!

@oliviabenson I surmised this too, but according to the gov.uk website you’re entitled if you have worked at least 13 weeks in the last 66 weeks before you are 29 weeks pregnant whether you are employed or not. I just wondered if, because I was technically employed but receiving MA it would still count.

I think you have to physically return to work to be able to claim any sort of maternity payment. The 13 weeks would need to be paid employment rather than paid allowances. Especially when you consider MA is technically not pay but a government benefit.

Perfectly happy to be corrected because I'm not an employment expert but I've seen plenty of women return to work just for those qualifying weeks when noticeably pregnant so that they qualify for mat pay again.

Both replies so far “think” they know the answer. Just phone up the relevany govt department - I have always found them helpful, or just apply with full disclosure and they will tell you

I tried calling today but their phone lines are closed due to essential maintenance which is why i asked here

Well, you are technically employed, so my best guess would be that you can claim again. Now that I am typing, I do remember someone I know doing this, but a long time ago. That said, it is something that only the Powers That Be can confirm. They are always having essential maintenance, those bastards! And what difference does the maintenance actually make?

Sorry noodles I mucked up in my op, I received Statutory maternity allowance from my work last time not MA from the govt.

I think the below link from Maternity Action clarifies. On maternity leave, you are still ‘employed’ for the purposes of claiming SMP again and do not physically need to return but there are warnings thresholds you would need to satisfy:

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnancy-during-maternity-leave/

Earnings not warnings!

All benefit systems are down today try calling tomorrow and you should get through.

Call ACAS.

Consise it means That I’ll receive around £140 a week for 39 weeks of pregnancy/after birth.

If I go back to work The childcare costs are more than what I’d be putting into the pot ( yes it’s a joint expenditure but no matter how you look at it We would still be paying for me to go to work) but I could still claim SMP when I go on ML. If I could give up work but still claim MA then obviously I’d prefer to do that

. I wont be returning to work after having this baby anyway as childcare x2 would be the equivalent of all of my salary plus 1/4 of DPs so it makes sense to stay at home.

Toadfan thanks