Another benefits question! Maybe I should just phone the DWP... Anyway, I'd appreciate some advice about eligibility for Maternity Allowance
I know that to be eligible for MA, I need to have worked for 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks prior to the baby's due date.
However, I have been unemployed for the last few months and am currently in receipt of JSA. If I remain unemployed, I might only have 20 weeks of work within the 66 week period. Does that mean that I will not be entitled to MA? If so, could I sign off JSA for a few weeks (i.e. "self-employed" but with zero income for those weeks) and count those weeks towards my 26 weeks? If I'm not eligible for MA, can I still get JSA instead?
Hope someone has the answers