maternity allowance help!!!

samjackjord

I have just been imformed by the kind people of MA that after waiting since april i am not entitled to anything. I have am 2 weeks short of working (I only worked for 24 weeks not the required 26)
I dont know what to do as i have borrowed from my parents as the woman who helped me with my claim said there would not be a problem and i woulkd get the full amount.
Does anyone know how to get around this, loopholes etc.

any help much appreciated

cookiedough38

I know that you can put in an appeal, have they said why you arent entitled to it?

DaisyFlower

Unfortunately, you have to have worked at least 26 weeks to qualify for MA, therefore if you have only worked 24 you wont qualify. There are no exceptions as the rules are quite clear.

You should not have been told you could claim though, unless they were under the impression you had worked longer than you had over the 2 year period.

stazi

The notes leaflet that comes with the MA claim pack explains about the MA conditions, in particular the 26 weeks employment test, and the earnings test.

JCP will now check to see if you could entitled to Incapacity Benefit (IB) for about 9 weeks- from 6 weeks before you are due, and upto 2 weeks after.

To be entitled to IB, you would need to have earned at least £4K in the tax years 05/06 and 06/07, and have these earnings count for NIC purposes.

If you are single, and within 11 weeks of being due, you could claim Income Support by contacting JCP on 0800 055 6688.

For more info-
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/famchild/fc_expecting_a_baby.asp

tizzlepops

Hi All,

Sorry SamJackJord I don't mean to hijack your thread but thought perhaps some of you guys might be able to answer a couple of questions for me about the Maternity Allowance application form.... I've been trying to get through to someone on the 'helpline' number for 3 days and it's constantly engaged, making me so angry it's ridiculous!

I am self employed and have been since the start of Oct 07 (paying class 2 NI and no small earnings certificate), before which I was in full time employment.

1. Does anyone know if you have to 'un' register as self employed to be able to receive Mat Allowance? I would think not but not sure!

2. You have to give them a list of 13 weeks to use for your Test Period. If you are self employed, does it matter which 13 weeks you use or would it be best to use 13 weeks when you have earned most? I didn't know if because you are paying class 2 NI contributions they just pay you the max amount of Mat allowance anyway?

3. Do you have to provide any proof of earnings if you are self employed? I know they will check with HMRC that I have been paying my NI.

Thanks for any help anyone can give!

Lis

Chazpots

Hi Lis,

No. You do not have to cancel your self employment to claim MA.

For any week covered by a Class 2 NI contribution you will be treated as having enough earnings to result in the standard rate of MA. (From 7 April 2008 you will be treated as having earned £130.20). Pick a 13 weeks period where you have paid the Class 2.

DWP will confirm with HMRC that you have paid those Class 2 contributions.

Does that give you all the info you need?

Chaz

tizzlepops

Hi Chazpots,

Thanks so much for the info! I can't believe it's so hard to get hold of the information from them directly by phone or through their website, grrr!

I'll be sending it off today.

Lis

Chazpots

Hi tizzlepops.

Glad to be of help. If you need any more info just post away or you can send me a personal message. Congrats on the baby by the way!! :T

Seems that DWP are not easy to get hold of this week. Post Bank Hol etc...

Chaz
x

stuartdenley111

You work 24 weeks instead of 26 there will be low chances of receiving MA.
I think you should write application regarding this matter and post appeal for
MA.

Stuartdenley

SuperBabyGuide

stazi

stuartdenley11

As the OP agrees that she has only worked for 24 weeks instead of 26 weeks, what is there to appeal about? 24 weeks isn't 26 weeks.