Maternity allowance

[agirlandtwoboys]

Anyone any idea what it is, who is entitled to it and how you get it?
Many thanks

All I know is my own experience - I', self employed as a cm and got £112 a week for 9 mo, which was an average worked out of what I usually earned. I think you can get it if self-employed or unemployed ? Not sure though, but just got a leaflet from job centre and took it from there.

If you go to the Job centre they'll help you with all the forms you have to be working for a certain amount of weeks before you fell pregnant and pay NI. The form is PITA to fill out but is processed pretty quickly. I was entitled to it because i was signed off sick due to my pregnancy in a fairly new job. HTH

So as an unemployed SAHM I guess I won't get it then?

this explains it quite straighforwardly I think.

I got it because I changed employer when I was already pregnant so no SMP

You get it if you have been working, but are not entitled to statutory maternity pay (SMP)from your employer (for instance because you are self employed or have not worked for one employer for long enough). You get £118 per week for 9 months, which is the same as SMP. It is a relatively straightforward benefit to claim - you simply fill in the form, and provide your MATB1 and a form your employer will give you which explains why they will not pay you SMP.

Thanks very much. I suppose I am employed really. I am my partners 'secretary'. I do absolutely nothing to earn that title. I get paid £250 a month which is part of our housekeeping and he claims tax relief. He is self employed. I have never had a wage slip as such and have no proof of eanings other than bank statements.
Not sure really. Will have to read up more.
Thanks for replies

As an unemployed SAHM you may be entitled if you have worked in the last year for a certain number of weeks - can't remember how many. Otherwise you may be able to get incapacity benefit for a few weeks?

That's a compicated situation, I would get some proper advice - CAB maybe. Also remember your child tax credits will change when you have another dc.

Somebody from the jobcentre told me that if I am claiming Jobseekers allowance, I may be able to get MA. I'm not sure, but he said you apply, get rejected and then income support will top it up anyway. Thought I'd put that out there for anyone in my situation, i.e fully unemployed.