Maternity allowance

[CertainGecko]

I have two questions about maternity allowance, if anyone is able to help?

I have only just received the paperwork from my employer to proceed with my MA application. I've got 4 payslips covering the 13 weeks needed, but won't have the full 26 weeks of employment until the 30th of May. Should I send the paperwork off now, or should I wait until I've met the 26 weeks criteria? I'll be around 38 weeks pregnant then, so it would delay my MA payments but I don't know if they'll consider my application until I've met the criteria.

Also, last I read, MA applications were taking around 14 weeks to process. Does anyone know if this is still the case or if it's longer now given the situation?

I would apply now, you can write a note on it explaining that you will have had 26 weeks by the 30th May.

I did mine recently and I got a text saying they would make a decision in 6 weeks so looks like the backlog is cleared.

Oh that's great news about the backlog! Do they give you a reference number in the text so that if you contact them by phone or whatever, you can speak to someone directly about your application? Just so I could update them on the 30th?

Nope, it says

"Thanks for your Maternity Allowance claim. We'll send you a decision within 6 weeks. You do not need to contact us."

If you're worried you could call before you put it in and check it won't matter?

I got a decision in under 4 weeks

I had mine threw a few weeks ago it only took 3.5 weeks

*through 🤦🏼‍♀️

I got mine through in under 4 weeks too so I think they’re processing claims much more quickly now. I personally would wait until maybe a week before you hit the 26 weeks requirement and send it then.

Have any of you had to pay the extra NI contributions to get the full maternity allowance pay? I'm newly self employed so think this applies to me but just wondered if anyone knows how it works?! I've sent my forms in and had the text to say decision within six weeks...

I received the 6 weeks text on 21st a week after sending in the application.
They called me last week too and were very helpful, claim should be going through in a few weeks.

@mrsbud
When I spoke to them I asked about the NI contributions. I've been self employed for years and will still have to pay it but only from the start of this financial year. You'll instantly qualify for the lesser amount then once the NI is paid to date for this year they will pay the full amount and also back date it.
It won't be a big bill either it's something like £3 per week from April

@MrsBudd I had the letter saying I qualified for the lesser amount (£85 ish per week) within 4 weeks, it said in the letter that HMRC would write to me within 10 days about making more NI contributions and they did. I paid £39 to top up NI contributions and now qualify for full amount.

Thanks @pollysproggle and @Magpiefeather 😊