Maternity Allowance advice

[Kathryn91]

Hi,
hopefully this is in the right section.
i started a new job and then found out I was pregnant. Which obviously means I am not entitled to MAT pay.
it looks like I am entitled to maternity allowance, I meet the criterias etc but I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with it.
claiming/how much they got etc.
Basically I’m wondering if there’s any loop holes that may stop me from getting it, panicking a little
thnx in advance.

I got it for my first pregnancy I changed jobs (Nhs to nhs) at precisely the wrong time so didn’t qualify for stat mat. Applied for Mat allowance, long form but all fine and easy to do. Got the same amount as if I wAs getting stat mat and at the same times. No issues!

I got it with my second maternity leave, as the company I worked for went into administration just before my mat leave. I had no issues at all and got the same amount as my first mat leave which was SMP.

Amazing! Thankyou!
i was with the first job for 13 years before starting a new job so im able to provide payslips etc.
i think it’s just my anxiety!

Not sure whether this applies to you but the only thing I would say is to be aware that if you claim Universal credit then maternity allowance is an overlapping benefit and is deducted in full unlike smp which is treated as earnings. I guess you are probably not going to claim Uc though.