Anyone applied for Maternity Allowance?

[MegBusset]

How straightforward was it? Did you have any problems after sending the form in?

My situation is a little complicated (I am self-employed but most of my clients treat me as a casual employee -- ie I am employed only for the days I work there and paid by PAYE). So am hoping that won't cause too much confusion...

Mine was straightforward - but it was five years ago; I don't know if things have changed since. I just got a set amount per week - £100 I think? ? for six weeks and then I was back at it. You're allowed to do the odd little bit, I think, like answer the odd email etc, to keep the business ticking over. I was checking my mail within hours of getting home - sat on a very soft cushion!

hiya, i did and it was easy. form is a bit of a pain, but quite quickly had a yes once i'd sent it. i had a slightly complicated situation too (a mixture of freelance and running my own company) but there wasnt a prob at all. both the other people i know who applied for it got it easily too,

when i was applying, i posted on MN about it and someone said that the main thing was if you'd been paying those Class 1(or is it 2, or C? you know the ones) NI contributions.

good luck and congrats on baby!

I applied for it and it was straightforward but I was in a slightly different position as I'd left employment but worked enough to qualify for it iyswim so didn't have all of it to fill in.

Yes - I am self-employed. I actually earn too little to pay NI but have made voluntary contributions to cover myself.

Form was a bit long and complicated. But not too bad once I focused on it properly one eve WITHOUT my DD1 "helping Mummy on the computer"!

Just had the letter through today to say they will pay at full rate for 39 weeks, so very happy with that and well worth the hassle.

Good luck with getting it sorted out.

Think it's Class 2 NI.
Form is very straightforward

Thanks all. I have been paying NI.

Also, I know you have to have worked for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date. At the moment I am only up to 21 weeks (I work somewhat sporadically), do I have to wait until I've reached 26 weeks' work to apply? The website says to apply as soon as possible after you're 26 weeks pregnant (which for me is in Jan) but I might not hit the 26-week work mark until Feb/March (baby is due end of April).

I applies for it as i was self employed it was very stgraightforward and i sent my form in too early and they sent it back( from what I can remember.)

so I'm sure that whenevr you send your form in it will be fine as long as y7ou've hit your 26 weeks