Anyone claimed maternity allowance (not SMP)?

[Grumpla]

... And if so, how long did it take for your claim form to be processed?

Bloody ages, also it depends on what your job is ie if you're an actor you are only technically self employed for tax purposes(although what other purposes there are is beyond me) so you may have a struggle.

In the end it was 5 months before I got any money but it was backdated.

Good luck.

Mine went through pretty quickly (within 4 weeks) but that was almost 5 years ago.

mine was same, really quick with ds1 5 years ago but then apparently they merged all the local offices into one central one so they actually rejected my claim 2nd time which I won on appeal but my circumstances hadn't changed at all.

Oh fuck... I was hoping you'd all say "in a couple of weeks"...

Better get my chasing hat on then otherwise this baby's going to be wearing tesco bags instead of nappies...

I applied really recently (June 2011) and was very suprised to have a decision in 3 weeks, money in the bank in 4! I was able to provide all evidence when I submitted the form so I agree that it probably depends on your occupation. Good Luck :)

If you are claiming as a self employed person and have paid six months of Class 2 contributions the claim should be simple to process and go through quickly. If you are claiming because you are employed but not eligible for SMP then it is more complicated and likely to take longer.

Unfortunately I am both! Have been employed part time PAYE, switched jobs while pregnant, and also self employed and paid NI on that basis in the same time period.

I guess that makes it slightly less straightforward fingers crossed they will still be able to sort me out...

Yes that does complicate things: you need to have an SMP1 from anyone that employed you in the 15th week before the baby is due to prove you cannot get SMP.

Not going to necessarily take too one if you have all your paperwork in order. I claimed MA on my last pregnancy, as the company I had worked for for 10years went into administration a week before my qualifying week for SMP.
IIRC I got them to compete an SMP1 and I filled out a fairly straightforward form and I got the confirmation within weeks, it was seamless.
Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

I have sent in an SMP1 with my claim form as well as the MATB1 and payslips etc. Fingers crossed then...