Maternity allowance

[delilahsq]

Hello,

Can anyone give me any advice please...

I'm freelance so qualify for statutory maternity allowance from the government. I had my son in November and so the 39 weeks stat mat allowance will come to an end this July.

I am trying to think of a way to take the rest of the year off (until November 24) so that I can still get help from the government until that date, as I don't want to send my son to nursery until he's a year old, preferably and can't afford costs without the extra help.

does anyone have any tips or advice on how to do this? someone i know said something about still being able to claim for the remainder of the year if you can prove you earn at least £170 p/w but i cannot find anything about this online...

any advice v welcome, thanks in advance x

I doubt there will be other maternity benefits you could claim. You could apply for benefits e.g. Universal Credit

Your friend is incorrect/confused. Maternity Allowance is a maximum of 39 weeks, you can take the extra 13 weeks (up to 52 weeks off) but the final 13 are unpaid, Maternity Allowance cannot be extended beyond 39 weeks. X

Are you single or do you have a partner?

Are you claiming Universal Credit?

Presumably you have some other income/savings that you have been living on in addition to Maternity Allowance, as it doesn't cover everything.

Unfortuantely, as PPs point out, you can't get MA for longer than 39 weeks. So if your other income/savings - including UC if you are eligible - don't cover your outgoings, you will have to go back to work.

If you have a partner maybe they could take parental leave?

If you claim UC and maternity allowance they take it off the UC.