Maternity Allowance

louloubelle79

Hello
Just filling in the form for my maternity allowance to start. It pays for 39 weeks, leaving work now 6 weeks before babys due date. Now my question is, am i better off putting off first payment to start until baby due so longer off with baby before i have to go back to work, or shall i start in now as no more income after today?
Many thanks
Louise

happymumto2

Is your baby due on or after the 6th april? If so have you applied for the new health in pregnancy grant? That will give you an extra one of payment of £190 although you wont receive it until May.
As for your initial question, do you have any money to tide you over for the next few weeks, if you do then holding off now would give you an extra few weeks off after baby is born. Have heard that MA takes a while to be sorted out so maybe claiming now would be better for you. Ultimately it depends on your personal circumstances.

emlou2009

it does take a while to claim, i've spoken to the MA office earlier this week and they have advised a 6 week back log - and thats before they even process the forms...! i'm going to have a one month old baby before i even know if my claim for MA is successful :rolleyes: just make sure you get it in asap, i believe the earliest you can send it is 11 weeks before the baby is due.

Auzelia

regardless of if you get your money paid after you have finished work, you will still need to return to work after the 39 weeks, unless you take the AML after the 39 weeks.

louloubelle79

Thanks all x Yes baby due 14th April so will get the £190 :T Although will be paying huge vet bill got last week to start off with. No savings really but would like to go back after xmas, if claim now will have to go back mid november. MA all been agreed etc just now need to send back letter saying when i want it to start.

Sorry Auzelia what is AML? Not all mums go back after the 39 weeks do they??? Just have to survive on the minimal...??

Thanks

emlou2009

AML - additional maternity leave, this is unpaid though

sassygirl_2

I think what Auzelia is tryin to say is that even if you leave now and have your MA start from when baby is born, you would still have to go back to work 39 weeks from the date you went on maternity leave, even though your mat leave would carry on for an extra 6 weeks. BUT AFAIK you cannot work while being paid MA.
Not 100% on that so maybe someone could clarify.

Im on MA at the mo. Im not planning on going back to work when the 39 weeks are up. Will just about be able to survive on OH's wages

shellsuit

I've got my forms here to go off for Maternity Allowance - I've asked for mine to start on the 1st April, which is the first day of my maternity leave.

louloubelle79

Thanks guys, got mine starting 9th March, so 5 weeks before baby due. One way or other it works out.