Maternity allowance - anyone else?

[user1495827045]

HI all,

I sent my maternity allowance forms and matb1 certificate off to dwp last week, I received a text Friday saying they had been received and the claim will take up to 24 working days to be processed, I was hoping to start receiving money from 24th June.
Has anyone else claimed recently and bow quickly was the claim dealt with?

I don't know where your living but I'm in Ireland and you have to apply for maternity benefit at least 6 weeks before you plan to start maternity leave. You've left it very late to get your forms in.

Maybe it's different where you are but I don't think you will be paid by 24th June. Maybe call your local welfare office and ask can they rush it through for you.

You can't apply here until 15 weeks before due date, the form stated they wouldn't accept application if signed before this so I had to wait until 4/06 to send it off. You can then start receiving payments from 11 weeks before due date so I've sent off as early as I can :)

Applied for mine the week before i wanted it to start, no issues. Got a text to say they needed one more bit of info, gave that over the phone. Because the processing took me past my chosen start date they then back paid in a lump sum, my fortnightly amount now starts tomorrow. I'm England

It did take the full 24 days to process, but the back dated lump sum was then processed stupidly quickly

Honestly...?

I send my claim off in August last year. Started Mat leave in October. Didn't get paid till a week before Christmas I'm sure it was a rare case, but it took ages for them to sort out. Wasn't even a complicated claim, they were just really busy.

Oh no how frustrating for you!

Brill thanks so it sounds as though 24 weeks is about right!

Days even!!

I don't mean to say that to scare you! But it's probably safe to tuck some cash away just in case. Otherwise I'd have been calling every day with a newborn!