Covid restrictions and Mat B1 forms for maternity pay application

[xxxIntergalacticxxx]

I just thought it would be good to warn other pregnant women that they need a Mat B1 form to claim maternity pay and there is a time limit. But be aware it might be more difficult with Covid restrictions to get a form, so prepare.

I got one after ringing around the various numbers I had, from the hospital I’d been scanned at. They weren’t usually supposed to give them out, but they agreed to because my GP had refused to (he’d never met me due to Covid) and my midwife was uncontactable (I think on leave, I’d actually never met her either).

So, if you’ve not had in person appointments with primary care providers, they might refuse to issue the Mat B1 form, even though they are the people who are supposed to provide it.

I was contacted by my line manager 2 days before a HR deadline to hand it in (previously no warning of this, was unprepared) so was a bit shocked with the refusal at GP.

Good luck to others.

You usually get it at your 24 week appointment if it's in person.
If not, you can just contact your midwife and they will send it out to you, providing you are past 20 weeks

I’m so confused at this thread...why would anyone be refused their MatB1 form?
I was given mine at my 24 week home visit by my midwife.
Talking to friends they got theirs round about that time as well.

Youre not actually legally required to give this to your employer at 25 weeks, you just have to give them written confirmation.

@howmanyroads my line manager said our HR would delay my maternity pay application if not handed in by 25 week deadline, and it’s required by the “notification form” to be sent at the same time. While I was aware this wasn’t legal I didn’t want to kick up a fuss and rather just give them the form.

Always good to know OP, thanks. Also, make sure you don't misplace the matb1, or send the original to your employer, as if like mine, they might be a pain in returning it! Duplicates are hard to get, my mw said she couldn't issue one as each had unique reference number, so had to pay a fee to get Gp to write a letter with due date.

I was just thinking about this actually. I'm 19 weeks and my midwife told me I get the MATB form at my 25 week midwife appointment but I've just realised my notes say my 25 week appointment isn't happening due to covid!
Sounds like I need to start chasing this or I'll probably just not get it if I don't push.

To those asking, I didn’t have a 24 week appointment (not even a phone appointment!) due to Covid causing local services to be stretched for resources and haven’t actually met any of the local community midwives. I’ve been seen at the main hospital though.

@Analysethat

I’m so confused at this thread...why would anyone be refused their MatB1 form? I was given mine at my 24 week home visit by my midwife. Talking to friends they got theirs round about that time as well.

I'm not having an in person midwife appointment at 24/25 weeks. The only in person one I had was booking in at 8 weeks and then nothing until 28 other than the 2 scans, but that obviously isn't with a midwife. I imagine it is more that you could fall through the cracks and not get the form if you aren't having in person appointments rather than specifically being "refused".

@laura2109 my line manager thinks I have to send it in to them. I don’t think I can refuse. I’ll try to explain that if it’s lost I can’t get another one. Do I need the form for anything other than maternity pay? I only have 1 job, and will claim child benefit, but no other benefits.

I didn't have any midwife appts between 16 and 25 weeks and like you my work (and my partner's work) both demanded the form by 25 weeks. We both work at universities and bureaucracies move slow in them - I didn't want to give them any reason to mess up the payment!

I anticipated it being a massive struggle to get it - asked at the hospital when i went for my 20 week scan and they said they don't do them. In the end it was really easy to get it from my gp - I just asked when I called to book my whopping cough appointment.

Weird that your GP refused OP - I don't really have a relationship with a particular doctor there but I'm registered there and I presume it says on my medical records that I'm pregnant?

I got mine when I had my 20 week scan, I just assumed that’s when everyone got theirs.

Oh yes and if you have a partner they might need the form as well if they are taking paternity leave or want to take any shared leave - so maybe make a copy before you send it off!

My midwife just posted it to me to arrive when I was 24 weeks. I didn't have to do anything.

@Violetbeau I agree it is weird, I was told that the reason was because the GP hadn’t examined me in person. I tried to explain that it was on my medical records but the answer was no. So this is why I think it might be an issue for some in Covid times when we aren’t having in person appointments with primary care providers.

I got mine from the midwife which I hadn't even met yet at about 22 weeks. I just rang and asked for it and she posted it out.