Maternity exemption bullshit

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

So last time I was pregnant I was issued with a maternity exemption certificate automatically. Now, 4 months pregnant I understand I need to fill out a form, get it stamped by a gp (v easy with remote appointments) and send off for a number. Their website claims this is to save the environment and the money of issuing cards with numbers on- BULLSHIT. National insurance no longer issue a card but a letter with a number on, I don’t have to apply to be able to pay tax. Nope just another load of bureaucracy in the hope that people either forget or cannot be bothered to claim something they are entitled to!

Sorry rant over- no other point to my thread but to say make sure you apply.

That's weird, I got mine automatically a couple in months ago after my booking appointment, the midwife handled it all. It was just a letter no card but I didn't have to do anything

Is that for the free dental treatment? When I was pregnant with my DS over 4 years a go, my midwife gave me a form, I filled it out and sent it away then they sent a letter for the exemption. I don't know how else they're meant to know who qualifies unless you apply? Did doctors and midwives previously just hand out cards?

The procedure you describe is for normal medical exemption certificates. For maternity exemptions your midwife can do it all there and then. Did you ask for the right form?

My midwife gave me mine at my booking in appointment. Sent it off as soon as she did.

That's the same process I've done in this pregnancy (currently 21 weeks) and my last one DD nearly 2 and a half

Except I got a card last time and paper one this time, but process was the same

Same as PP - I just sent off a form. Dead easy.

So last time I just got sent a letter with the attached card- came like the other letters I received re: my appointments etc.
This time, I saw a midwife for 10mins this week- had my scan and bloods but no midwife appointment until this week. I have been informed my next set of appointments will all be remote- fine I understand why. Anyway was passed a pack and inside was the form. I don’t see why they can’t issue them automatically as they always have done minus the card.

For all NHS exemptions they are no longer issuing cards. This came into affect around a year ago. You can now get the form from your midwife or GP both of you will need sign it and then they send it off for you.

In my area you have always had to send the form off, certainly for the last 14 years anyway

Are you in England?

My midwife filled in everything online for me at my booking in appointment and then I got an electronic card via email. The new system was actually quicker than the old one.

Speak to your midwife.

Erm what? I know nothing about this... should I have done something? I’m 30 weeks pregnant - what does this certificate do? I’m in wales if that makes any difference

I’m in England yes- last pregnancy was 3 years ago. Perhaps if I’d had a traditional midwife appointment this would be easier- but regardless I get given an entire pack with my details and name stickers etc. Why not issue the number.

The maternity exemption, exempts pregnant woman from now until 1 year after their baby is born from paying for prescriptions/ dental appointments etc.

I did mine through my midwife.

And I'm glad there's no card. We've long passed the time where we can dick around with excess plastic.

Midwife gave me the form and then I posted it off. Certificate came in the post.
Maybe call midwife and ask for form?
Haven’t actually used it yet, and I pay for my dental so probably pointless!

I have the form and I’ve called my gp, have to go post it through their door to get them to fill it out and send it off. My point it there is zero reason to have to apply for it, they should just issue the number. I can only conclude they hope some don’t apply and pay for things they don’t need to

Midwife dealt with mine, she filled it out and stamped it and sent it off for me all at my booking appointment.

I then got my letter a few weeks after. If you’ve applied (and are waiting for your letter) you can still use the exemption as it’s backdated.

Not all that difficult I’m sure your midwife/gp would be happy to sign/stamp if you left it at the surgery for them?

That's odd. My midwife just went online, typed in my email and I got an email in like 2 minutes with the certificate number on it; no actual certificate or anything. Should I have received something in the post? (I've only had to 'use' it once but the pharmacist didn't even ask for the form; I just said I have maternity exemption and he handed over the prescription.)

Nope midwife sent it off and I got an email with the exemption number no hassle at all x x

I just received a letter in the post saying ‘this is your certificate’

I just received a letter through the post when I was about 10 weeks, just after my first over the phone midwife appt .

I had to apply via form 12 years ago. I was also given a NHS Everything You Need To Know About Pregnancy book (not actually called that but you get the drift) which had pages of details about what you can apply for and be entitled to etc. Everyone got a copy of the book (followed by Birth to Five once baby had arrived). Do you not get this anymore ?

This is the book I was given.

I asked about mine at my 16w (telephone) appointment. It was emailed to me that afternoon. Was far easier than I expected.

Sorry to hear your process seems so unnecessarily difficult @OnlyFoolsnMothers

You seem disproportionately irritated by something you will get for free, to get you more stuff vastly subsided by the tax payer. Weird.