I think u can go down the job centre or citizens advice to get more info on maternity allowance. As far as Im aware it's not too different from smp, u just don't get any perks from ur job on it. But that could be completely wrong. The direct.gov websiteis really good just pulled this from it.
Who is eligible?
You might get Maternity Allowance if:
you're employed, but not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay
You may be eligible if:
you've been employed and/or self-employed for at least 26 weeks*in your 'test period' (66 weeks up to and including the week before the week your baby is due) - part weeks count as full weeks
you earned £30 a week averaged over any 13 weeks in your*test period
If you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, you may be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) instead.*If you have made a claim for Maternity Allowance you do not have to make a separate claim for ESA. Jobcentre Plus will automatically check to see if you can get ESA.
How much do you get?
Maternity Allowance pays a standard weekly rate of £128.73 or 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings (before tax), whichever is the smaller.
MA is paid for a maximum*period of 39 weeks.
How Maternity Allowance is Paid
Maternity Allowance can be paid every two weeks or every four weeks directly into your bank or building society.
The earliest you can get Maternity Allowance is from the 11th week before the week your baby's due. The latest you can get it is from the day following your child's birth.
How to claim
You can claim MA as soon as you've been pregnant for 26 weeks. To get a claim form (form MA1) call Jobcentre Plus on
0800 055 6688
. Lines are open from 8.00 am*to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. You can also download a claim form from the DWP website.
If you're not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from any of your employers, each of your employers must give you form SMP1 to send with your MA1 claim form.
You'll also need to give medical evidence of the date when your baby is due. This form is normally on the maternity certificate, form MATB1. This is*given to you by your doctor or midwife no earlier than 20 weeks before the week your baby is due.
You'll need to give proof of your earnings. Send in your original payslips. They will be returned to you.
You can also Download 'Maternity Allowance MA1 form
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