Can I claim maternity allowance?

[Tisfortired]

I am currently pregnant, due on 25th September. I found out I was pregnant on my first day at my new job (!) on 27th January this year. My job is maternity cover, the person I am covering is due back in January 2026, but she wanted to come back part time so the original plan was for us to job share from January.

However as it stands, I will be leaving on 12th September at around 38 weeks pregnant and my contract will end as they are recruiting for a replacement. I am extremely confused by maternity allowance, will I be eligible for this even though my employment will end on 12th September even though I believe I would have worked for enough weeks?

Hope that makes sense, grateful for any help!

4 weeks?

I thought it was 13 weeks

Were you working before this job? You need to have been employed for minimum 26 weeks in 66 weeks prior to baby being born so it would be close if not. https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

What is 4 weeks sorry?

I left my last job at the end of 2022 when my maternity leave with my last baby was over, but just worked out when I leave this September I would have worked 32 consecutive weeks this year before I finish.

If you qualify for Maternity allowance you can claim it whether working or not.

Let your employer know you are pregnant by week 25. You could take leave at 29 weeks so working to 38 if you are able is not a problem.

Thank you for your response. I am 28+4 and although employer knows I am pregnant I have not applied for MA yet as I thought I needed to still be employed to receive it (eg be on mat leave with a job to go back to.)

I will have a look at applying tonight.