ESA then Maternity Allowance?

dean182

Hi guys

I am currently self employed and 23wks pregnant. I am really struggling with health issues as a result of this pregnancy and I am desperate to stop working but really worried about how we will cope if I do.

I began work in October and have been paying Class 2 NI so I am eligible for MA as of the 25th of April.

My question is, can I claim ESA between now and then or would this affect my MA? We will be reliant on this money when I have the baby so don't want to risk losing it.

Thank you so much for reading.

emweaver

When it was IB before it changed to ESA our friend was on IB due o pregnanc illness and went on and still received full MA after

sweetersong

As long as you have paid your NIC's for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks that run up to your EDD (so basically if you have been paying NICs for the last 6 months +) then you are fine

I was employed, but a similar situation. I finished my place of employment at 8 weeks pregnant, claimed JSA until arouns 24 weeks pregnant but then was too ill to continue looking for work so claimed ESA until my maternity allowance started

However, if you are on ESA you will have to start your maternity allowance from 29 weeks pregnant