Has anyone sent off maternity allowance forms recently? How long did it take them to sort?

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

Thanks to my manager 'filing' my MATB1 form in the pile of junk on his desk for 3 months,instead of sending it off to head office,I only got my SMP1 & MATB1 forms back yesterday.

I've sent them off today,special delivery,it will arrive with them tomorrow morning.

When can I realisticly expect a response? How long did it take for money to hit your account after you got a response?
Will they backdate?

I'm already on Mat leave,I left on the 7th.

Thanks

Iirc you can't send them off until you've started mat leave anyway. I had a response within the week and payment (either back date) within the following fortnight (paid every fortnight).

Thanks!
I know you're supposed to send them off before hand,but obviously they don't pay you until you've started leave.

Hopefully only a couple of weeks then! Fantastic!

I sent my form off on 7 Nov (1st class I think) and I've just got a response back from them this morning, so nearly 3 weeks.

It's fine to apply after you've started your mat leave (I seem to recall you're allowed to claim back-dated MA up to about 3 months after you've started ML).

Don't know about when the money will come in as I haven't started my ML yet, just sent off the application in advance to try and be organised.

The Job Centre Plus Maternity Allowance number is 0845 608 8610. They were really helpful when I called and answered all my stupid questions very patiently!

Thanks BakeOff that's really useful.
I'm just pleased to know I shouldn't be waiting around for months with no income!
2-3 weeks is fiiiiine