Maternity allowance decision timeframe

[Victoriaaaaaaaa]

Has anyone submitted their application recently? I've received my text today to say a decision will be made within the next 14 weeks! Sounds like it's super backed up 😳

I haven't submitted it yet as I'm only 24 weeks but that sounds a bit worrying!!

I submitted mine last Thursday, they received it last Friday and I got a text Saturday just gone saying the same thing but within 8 weeks! Super annoying tbh as I've left work and thought I'd earnt enough with them to get maternity from them so didn't submit this sooner!

Oh no! I'm 25 weeks tomorrow and hadn't even considered doing mine yet! I'm really worried now. My partner moves out next month too! Argh!

I submitted mine in mid-August and was told it would be 8 weeks. When I spoke to them this week (when the 8 weeks was up) they said they were still processing claims from mid July and that it was looking more like 12 weeks for my claim to be processed (processed- not paid!). To be fair to the woman she was really Good and went through the form while I was on the phone to make sure I’d submitted everything right, but obviously not ideal to not be paid until well after my due date, when I got the form in as early as I could.

I actually emailed my MP raising the issue (recommend others affected do as well to raise the issue) as it’s ridiculous that even if you applied at 26 weeks which is the earliest you’re allowed, you definitely won’t get payment until after the baby comes if there is a 14 week processing delay! Such a mess at an already stressful an anxious time when women are at their most vulnerable!

Oops I'm 31 weeks and haven't applied.

But how it's all going to work with my accounting situation I do not know, I keep burying my head in the sand ...

(My situation is hard to explain but I don't work regular hours only here & there.... but earn royalties on work I've already done, like an author or song writer perhaps).

I might have to look into this sooner rather than later then...

🤷🏻‍♀️

14 weeks??!!?!

The 8 weeks they texted me was up this week. I haven't called yet...

It's really not good enough is it 😡😡😡

@PrayingandHoping we must have applied about the same time! They told me on Tuesday it would likely be another 4 weeks for a decision, but fingers crossed it’s sooner! At least they backdate the payment but it’s still not ideal, thank god im technically still on annual leave so will get some salary this month!

I start maternity leave tomorrow @Aurora79 and am self employed so that's my income gone completely!!!!

It's outrageous really they can do this to people

Thankfully we are financially stable so will be ok but it's not the point is it

I completely agree @PrayingandHoping. The whole reason most people are on mat allowance is because they are self employed, don’t earn enough or don’t qualify for SMP, so are generally the ones with lower or more erratic incomes that need the most support! Fingers crossed they get it sorted sooner rather than later because I imagine the delay will put some
Women into serious financial hardship!

I sent mine last Monday and got a text on Thursday to say 8 weeks, I'm 37 weeks now whoops. So glad I didn't put it off until this week - maybe give them a ring and clarify? That's almost double the length of time to process! I know it'll get backdated but it'll still be a worry, especially with Christmas etc

Oh good grief, that is worrying. I'm currently 22 weeks and planning on applying the day I turn 26 weeks...it's insane to think that even if you get it in as early as possible they still might not pay you in time! Like someone mentioned up thread, we should all get on to our MPs about this. It we want to change, we have to be proactive.

Another person I know received their text as well today stating 14 weeks 😩

I only submitted my form in September and got my response in September though dont know if maybe that's because I'm self employed and the response was therefore to tell me I'd not paid enough class 2 (as self employed pay in arrears so obviously havent paid my return for 18/19 yet) and I'd be written to by HMRC with a sum to pay top up to qualify for full sum otherwise id only get 27 per week. I had to then wait for that letter and got it very start of this week which was my 2nd week of leave. Now I have to wait for a reassessment :/

www.thesun.co.uk/money/10115296/pregnant-mums-twelve-week-wait-maternity-allowance/

I know it’s the sun, but at least the issue is becoming more public!

Yep, it’s now 14 weeks. I got my text at the start of July and received my first payment at the end of September. If you’re going to apply for it and are less than 26 weeks pregnant the advice now is to get your application in bang on the 26 week threshold (the earliest you can apply) and you should then get it when the baby arrives. If you call and speak to an advisor and you’re not happy with the answers to your questions (for example, they cocked up my paperwork which delayed my claim as they mistakenly thought I needed to submit an SMP1 when I didn’t) then ask to be escalated to a Floor Manager. My husband used to work with DWP and this is what he told me to do to help move things along.

Just to update this as i spoke to DWP this morning.

They are apparently now processing claims from 22nd July. I applied 10 weeks ago and she said today it would probably be another 4 weeks or so to reach a decision and then 5-10 days to start receiving payment, so despite applying Mid-August and asking for payment to start today, i probably won't get anything until late Nov/early Dec (baby is due this week so will be over month old by then!). They are trying to bring this down by working overtime/getting more people in so hopefully it will be sooner.

If you are hoping to get Maternity Allowance the i'd advise getting your forms in as soon as you can after the 26 week mark so you aren't left too short!

@Aurora79 thanks for the update!

I'm still shocked how long it's taking and how backlogged they actually are!

Has anyone applied for the sure start grant too? That was supposed to be 21 days but it’s been 28 now and nothing from them either

I submitted mine at the start of September. They got back to me by the end of September suggesting I pay a top up of NI which I did.
My claim was then reassessed within a week.
My only complaint was that whenever I tried to contact them I could never get through!

@Newmumatlast hi just wondering if you’ve heard back for reassessment? My 8 weeks is up on Friday and I know I will have to pay NI just not looking forward to the extra time that adds to the application, then the time for it to be reassessed. Thanks 😊

I applied 14 weeks ago. Was told 6 weeks. Been told 1 more week for the past 8 weeks. Still nothing 🤷🏻‍♀️

I sent off my form on Monday, the day I turned 26 weeks. Just got a text today saying they'll let me know their decision in 14 weeks. AKA my due date. 🙃🙃🙃

I sent my form on the 16th October and had a response on the 30th saying a decision would be made within 14 weeks. By that time by little one will be 2 months old! 😐

This is worrying, I've only just been given my MATB1 so couldn't put in my claim before and I'm 31 weeks. I'm going to do it tomorrow and send it off asap.
I'm also going to get contacted about National Insurance contributions as I haven't had my tax bill yet for 2018/2019 so obviously haven't paid it - how much did people have to 'top up' if they don't mind me asking, or did it depend on your earnings (if you're self employed)?

Hi! I rang on Friday it is looking about 14 weeks but she said they’re hoping now they’ve got new staff it should speed up the process. The lady I spoke to said she would sort out HMRC contacting me regarding NI now so I can pay it and it should be sorted by the time they look at my MA application to avoid any delays. So maybe once your application is in it might be worth doing the same. Amount wise from what I’ve looked at online class 2 NI is £3 a week but I don’t think it’s a full year you have to have paid (but don’t quote me on that) I can let you know exact amount once I’ve got my letter through if you like😊