Maternity allowance and universal credit

[virgo22]

looking for some advice please. I do not qualify for SMP so I would need to apply for Maternity Allowance. I am also already on universal credit, but once my income from my job reduces, my question is why can’t I just continue with Universal credit? I understand with maternity allowance they defect £1 for £1 anyway and the application process is quite lengthy so it seems pointless. Are there any pros to applying for the maternity allowance? Thanks in advance

Yes it's pointless claiming when it comes off Uc pound for pound. I think maybe the only benefit to it is that it perhaps pays a better class of NI contributions. I'm not 100 % sure on this.

Personally I'm not even bothering applying! It just gets deducted from the universal credit anyway so just seems like such a mess about for everyone.

@Babyroobs thank you I’ve been trying to figure it out for weeks so I’m glad it’s not just me! I don’t think I’ll bother then

@Ttcmumma exactly my point - I wasn’t sure if I was missing something but if I can save myself the hassle of going through a hefty application for no major benefit then I’d rather not do it! I’m just not sure if it’s something universal credit would push you into applying for?

@virgo22 I'm 30 weeks and they haven't even responded to the fact I told them I'm pregnant yet 🤣. Unless forced to (which I kind of doubt they will) I'm not going to apply for it. I feel all the hassle will just make it more likely we will end up paid wrong or something 😬

@Ttcmumma ah thank you so much! Yes I get it completely, I’m 28 weeks so not far behind you. Let’s hope for the best and hope we don’t have to bother applying for it haha! X

I can't see why they would force you to. UC is paid by the government as is maternity allowance so it's not like it's costing them extra if you don't claim it. The only reason you should claim it is if maternity allowance works out to be more than the amount you get in UC. It really depends how much Uc you get.

Hey guys . . I'm due my second baba on Monday and on universal credit as went back part time after my first baby, who was born last February. I've applied for Maternity Allowence simply because of the dates. As I didn't qualify for SMP again, I'll get nothing from work, and my bills come out on pay day. So I went for Maternity Allowence just so I get another payment date to put the money aside for bills . . If that makes sense lol x x

I know this is an old post, but were you guys affected by the benefit cap when claims MA. I’m worried I will be as it won’t be seen as I’m earning any income.

Do you get Universal Credit ? I ended up cancelling my Maternity Allowence cos as it happens, it didn't work out better having two seperate payments in the month. Whatever you get Maternity Allowence, it's fully taken off your Universal Credit, so I just left mine as that.