maternity allowance can someone help?

[geordiegirl2210]

hi everyone

ive recently left my job ahead of schedule as my employers made my life a living hell from the day i told them i was pregnant.
i have been told i can claim maternity allowance as i have completed the criteria for my test period.
i have downloaded the application form but i am unsure of when i can claim from...i spoke to jobcentre plus and they told me from 29weeks but the direct.gov website says you can claim from 26weeks onwards

can someone please help me?

I'm pretty sure it's 11 weeks prior to week of EDD, i.e. 29 weeks. 26 weeks is the amount of time you have to be working for an employer to qualify for maternity isn't it? Sorry to hear your employers have been so horrible to you.

i went into the maternity allowance section on the direct.gov website and it says on there you can claim from 26 weeks...so v.v confused.my leaving early is just one of those things i guess...it was either leave or end up doing something v.v silly and hitting my boss xxx

i am not sure about the weeks as it was 3 years ago since i was on mat allowence. one tip i have is that when you submit your pay slips make sure you send the highest ones ( if you wage differs) you are allowed to cherry pick to put you average earnings up.