Can I appeal? (Maternity allowance)

[knittakid]

I was in full time training last year under a tax free bursary, I then got a job in July which didn't actually start until September (school based). I have today received notification of my maternity allowance not being approved because of not having worked enough weeks, but they are counting from September, not from when I assumed I was actually employed (July) and therefore didn't bother claiming unemployment or working on odd jobs.
I have worked 25 weeks in my test period and earned enough money, so only missing one week, is there any way of appealing against the decision based on that 'verbal contract/agreement'?

I doubt it, but i's worth a shot I guess. You were offered the job in July, with a start date in September, that's the difference. You can't claim for the time you weren't working because technically until your start date, you were unemployed

Thanks boobooglass. Such a mess!