MatB1 form

[MamaBerg]

Hi, can anyone tell me how long it takes to get the MatB1 form? My next midwife apt is only 2 days before I legally have to give it to my employer to allow me maternity pay. Do you get it there and then in the appointment or does it need to get sent through the post like the exemption certificate? That took about 3 weeks so I'm worried I won't get the form in time to give it to my employer.
TIA x

I got mine from my gp and it took 2 days from when I requested it although they refused to give me it before 29 weeks but I think it differs in different areas

You should get the form directly from your midwife. Is they don't have any then I believe that you can pick one up from your Drs surgery.
I will be getting mine at 24 weeks. When I asked her at my 16 week appointment apparently they can't legally give them until 20 weeks

You have to tell your employer you're pregnant by week 25. However they do not need the MATb1 form until 28 days prior to when you intend to start claiming to SMP. This was a point of confusion for me too (I'm 27 weeks now). So in reality, they don't actually need it by week 25 unless you are planning on taking maternity leave/SMP from week 29 onwards. Lots of employers don't seem to realise this though. I handed my form in at 26 weeks (the earliest I could have) and it was fine.

I got my form from the midwife at my 25 week appointment (which was actually at 25 weeks). I did need to get it stamped by my GP since I couldn't remember their address, but was able to do this at the GP reception, no appointment necessary.

Alternatively you are supposed to be able to get the whole form from your GP, although mine wouldn't! They said it was nothing to do with them, but I think most people have more luck.

It doesn't come in the post.

Last time the MW filled it out there and then at my 25w appt and gave it to me.

I wonder how you get it with second baby, as you don't get a 25w appt?

Thanks Edgar That makes me feel better. My apt is Nov 4th and the government website confused me as it was on about Nov 6th but I guess that's just to tell them I'm pregnant (which they already know).
Panic over!!

Don't forget to make a couple of photocopies, especially if you have a partner who will be taking leave around the birth. Sometimes their employer asks for a copy. Once you've handed the form in you'll never see it again so I made a couple of copies just in case I needed it (can't think what for though!)

Carrot - I'm getting mine at my 28-week appointment.
In a second pregnancy you don't see the midwife between 16 and 28 weeks so, unless you make a special appt to get it, you won't get the MatB1 til then.
Not a problem unless you plan on going on mat leave very early.

Oh - and last time round the midwife just filled it in there and then, and gave it to me at the 25week appt. She then had to do it again a few weeks later when my employer lost it and insisted on a new original copy!

I had mine filled out and give at 25 week appt. I sent off to employer straight away and there hasnt been any issues.

I forgot to ask my midwife for it this week - I rang her, she did it over the phone (only needs you EDD) and left it at the doctors reception for me, so 30 seconds!

I didn't get mine until after I was supposed to hand it in to my employer. I put in writing to HR that I intended to take mat leave, and mentioned that I would forward them my MAT B1 as soon as I got it - I followed up with a call to check that was OK, and there were no issues at all. I just stuck it in the internal mail to them when I got it from my midwife.