Maternity allowance

[CBmummy19]

I submitted my maternity allowance application in August (almost 10 weeks ago now) and had a text on the 22nd August saying I’d hear within 8 weeks but it’ll be nine in a couple days and I’ve not heard anything. Anyone had this recently or should I call and chase up? Thanks

I would chase because this is something you need to know, confirm and sort out before you start your maternity leave. I'm a HR Manager and this is first thing i would sort out for someone who informed me that they were pregnant.

Hi @CBmummy19

We had a thread discussing this a few weeks back because DWP have a massive backlog of 14 weeks. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3713789-maternity-allowance-decision-timeframe

I got my text just over a week before you and was told today it would still likely be another 4 weeks until it is processed, and then 5-10 days from there to payment (so putting my first payment at end nov early dec when I asked for payments to start today).

If it helps when I spoke to them earlier they were processing claims from 22nd July, but we’re working overtime and bringing in new people in a hope to get the backlog down so it might be quicker. Still awful though!

Type *were - I don’t work for DWP!

Forgot to add that I called when my 8 weeks had passed and the woman went through my forms on the phone to make sure I’d filled everything in right/supplied the right evidence, so it might be worth doing that so you have time to fix any errors now rather than have a further delay!

It's taking 14 weeks at the moment.

@aurora79 oh the lady I spoke to did the same..did she explain things very long windedly?! Like "ok I'll just check your forms to make sure all documents are ok and so we've not missed anything such as copies of payslips etc" then "and we have the payslips..three payslips from the teat period, and that mat1b form from your employer and blah blah" and the run through it all again? Basically a long way of saying "yes we have all your documents".
It did my head in. After being on hold for 1 hour before even getting through to be met with that I was like no wonder your phone lines are clogged up.
Even after she checked I got a letter asking for more info. FFs. I applied in June and only now getting payment this week. They are sooo slow

I'm a HR Manager and this is first thing i would sort out for someone who informed me that they were pregnant.

How would you sort out maternity allowance? It’s not paid by the employer?

@Horehound god that’s a ridiculously long wait! I’m assuming your baby is here already then? Mine is due this week but thankfully didn’t start formal mat leave until today so i’ve still got a month of being paid to fall back on- terrible service though from DWP. The lady I spoke to was actually really efficient but still had their awful hold music for 40 mins this morning . Was really hoping to get all this sorted before baby brain and sleep deprivation properly kicks in!!

Yep he is 9 weeks old!!
We are lucky my husband's salary covers all bills but I did wonder what happens to those who really rely on the money. I mean they do back date it but my first payment is going to be 1.3k! How ridiculous is that?

I did start a thread with the intention of others contributing to it for others awareness for this very reason! But I guess if people don't post then the thread is lost.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3702855-Maternity-allowance-processing-time-FYI

Thanks all I’ll ring tomorrow then, what’s the number? I’m more worried it’s going to be rejected/what rate cause the online calculation said the top bracket but I have no idea atm it’s stressful. Baby is due in a couple weeks now but could come any day now. Didn’t realise there was such a back log. Thank youu

@CBmummy19 I honestly wouldn't bother calling. They will write to you.
You should get £145

You will be in the phone on hold for at least 45 mins...don't do it!

I’m not working so I might as well and if they say they’re missing things or anything then I can confirm rather than waiting. I got my 8 week text 9 weeks ago and we still have stuff to buy for baby and no money to do so which is a huge issue we’re struggling atm so could do with knowing to help stress if nothing else

@CBmummy19 the number I called was ‭0800 169 0283‬.

Agree with @horehound though that you need to allow a lot of time to get through!

@CBmummy19 just seen your update. I actually emailed my MP a couple of weeks ago to alert him to the issue and he offered to fight my case for me with DWP (just needed me to fill in a consent form
and provide my NI number). I actually said no because we’re thankfully financially ok, but it might be worth a go and that might be able to speed it up a bit?

Ok call asap first thing in morning. I did that last week and actually got through reasonably quickly. First time ever. I had previously given up after 45mins to and hour so actually wasted hours trying to get through.

Hi guys - I'm just gearing up to apply (I'm on 24 weeks atm) and wanted to find out where you can find out when you registered as self-employed?

I can't remember the date and I can't find a letter from HMRC saying when. Is there anywhere online you can find out? Thought I'd check before I get in a 1hr+ phone queue to speak with HMRC.

Should say on your personal tax account (you need to go through online registration with HMRC).

@NeedAnExpert thanks for the reply. I registered years ago (I think around 2012) and have submitted plenty of tax returns etc. since then. So is it recorded somewhere in the online portal?

No. You can see your personal tax account with HMRC (shows state pension etc). It’s a separate thing not linked to self employment.

@NeedAnExpert never mind you, I clearly need an expert 🤣 thanks I'll get signed up.

@PippaPug this thread might be useful too x

Ok I've started filling in this form ready to send on Monday when I'll be 26 weeks.

I've been self employed since 2015 (therefore including the 66 weeks before due date). I have a couple of questions:

1. Do they contact HMRC for your earnings because I can't see anywhere in the form asking for income details.

1. Given the test period runs up until the day before your due date, how do they work out your income? As I'm not due until Feb 2020 - so obviously I haven't earned anything then yet, as it's in the future?

1. Did you send your form signed for or just regular post?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help!

Update: I got my Mat allowance confirmation this week, so 11 weeks since I applied in August. Should be paid the backdated pay by second week of Nov, and then first payment will be mid nov so overall about 13 weeks from application to payment (although when I applied they were saying it would take 8 weeks!). Hope this helps those others still waiting!

Don’t know if this helps anyone but I sent my letter in mid August and I received my letter yesterday, took around 11 weeks to get the letter and I’ll be paid in another week with backdated pay coming Monday! The whole process would have taken just under 13 weeks xx

@NeedAnExpert I don't suppose you have any idea about my query two posts above? Going to try and ring the mat allowance line today but I e heard horror stories of queues!