Has anyone claimed for Maternity Allowance recently?

[DancingOnMyBladder]

Yesterday I eventually got round to posting my claim forms for maternity allowance. I just wondered if anyone knew the turn around time on these and how long i can expect to wait for the decision/payment? Money is getting a bit tight and we're only a few days into the month!

It took around 2 weeks from posting the forms to receiving the first payment. I hope yours is quick.

Oh thank you- that is very helpful! :)

Prob a really stupid question, but how do you get the forms?

Thank you :)

splashy you can ring up the jobcentre and they'll send you one, number in my area (yorkshire, maybe the whole north) is 0800 055 66 88

thank you marzipan, will give them a call :)

am 32 weeks now so probably about time i sorted it out!

I got mine from my MW and it took about 2 weeks from me sending it off. I think they say it can take up to a month but is normally faster than that.

Splashy - you can also apply online or print the forms off and send them in (which is what i did).

I am missing some payslips from my last employer and have requested copies from them, so until i receive these, I am stuck.

I posted mine middle of July, and although it's been authorised, I'm still waiting for payment

i posted mine last friday, i recieved the confirmation yesterday and just have to sign the slip and send it off, so i guess around 2 weeks

i waited on a answer for 4 weeks but was given the wrong award as they had lost half my payslips, it took a further week for them to give me a new award then 4 weeks for payment to go in.

even now i have only been given 2 weeks arrears and have to wait another 4 weeks for payments.

it has all been one big pita.

Yep around 2 weeks for me. That was with a hiccup of my employer making a small error on the form and it having to be fixed!

Well 'luckily' I only had to send along my MATB1 because i am self employed and they do their own checks with HMRC to just make sure i've been paying my NI (which I have!) and hopefully i'll be awarded it and paid.

Should have got my backside in gear a bit earlier cos funds a low this month and i'm due in 4 weeks so have a few last minute things to get (including a pram )

I'm sure this is a silly question and at 30 weeks too late to be asking it, but what is maternity allowance?!

Eek - we need payslips?! I've only got a few of mine and my employer went into administration six weeks ago! Will P45 be enough?

I don't know if a P45 will suffice - can't say I saw it mentioned in the booklet. I am struggling to get my missing payslips at the moment from my last contract which lasted 3 months - I have all the ones from before.

Give the dept a call and ask if a P45 will suffice. I might have to do this myself if my bloody previous employer won't help.

NoTeaForMe maternity allowance is for women who are either self employed or women who are not entitled to statutory maternity pay as they may no longer be working, or haven't worked for that employer for long enough or perhaps don't earn enough.

In my case - I had a perm job, then moved to a contract in April and finished the contract in June. So I have been working and am entitled to some money but won't receive statutory pay as won't be going back to a permanent job (or any job for that matter)

try this link
www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/ma1_print.pdf

www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/ma1.pdf
Dont kinow if the two links are different, but its really handy form and they tell you all you need to know...hope it helps