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.

Is this the MATB1 form? I just received it from my midwife. Had to send it off in order to receive maternity allowance though and never got it back 🤷🏼‍♀️ How do I get medical/dental exemption now? I've only got a copy of my MATB1

Batfurger what else do I get for free_ I’m a tax payer myself so I don’t understand the condescending tone of your post.
All expectant mothers and new mothers are entitled and therefore I don’t see why there’s an application process at all.
Clearly all trusts run the procedure differently, perhaps my annoyance is enhanced by the difficultly I’m experiencing not seeing a midwife atm.

My form was amongst my bounty pack I was given

sunflower2020
No mat B is the form you get post 20wks for your employer as I understand.
Maternity exemption form says FW8 - application for prescription charge exemption (maternity) - well mine does but maybe every form is different.

The midwife asked if I wanted one, filled in the stuff whilst I was there at an appointment, and it was sent via email to me a few minutes later. You have to apply for low earner exemptions too, I guess maybe it's something to do with sharing your information or whatever.

Midwife did mine on the computer at my booking appointment, just had to give my email address. Got it straight away and printed it off at home.

Just contact your midwife, they should be able to do it online.

You have to apply for low earner exemptions too yes this makes sense as not everyone qualifies. Everyone in England (not sure about the rest of U.K) qualifies for free prescriptions.

How strange! I would definitely question that as I didn’t do anything at all for mine, I just received it in the post around the same time I had my first booking in appointment (don’t remember exact dates now!)

Literally didn’t have to do anything at all and it was really easy.

Hope you get sorted

Just phone your midwife and ask if she can do it online 🤷🏼‍♀️ it would save you having to faff with the GP.

Phone the midwife, the system has now changed. It’s an online FW8 now, the midwife fills it in online and you either get an email or a letter in the post depending on what you choose but it’s active immediately so no faff.