Maternity allowence

[becsybabe]

Hi everyone. I'm self employed so I have to apply for maternity allowance rather than get the SMP. My question is how long does it take before hearing back from them? Thanks xx

 

[snowbee]

I've not applied but I've heard several ladies say it has taken several months to hear back. They are supposed to tell you the current processing time if you give them a call.

 

[DueJune16]

I applied last May, only took 2-3 weeks to hear back xx

 

[becsybabe]

Oh I hope it doesn't take that long iv only got 9weeks left til baby is due :/ duejune will they just write to me or call me xx

 

[SalisburyMum]

I plan to apply as soon as I'm 26 weeks and then go on maternity at 29 weeks.

I'm a massage therapist and the though of working much longer is just not good....

So I'm hoping it doesn't take them too long! It shouldn't really, you've only got a 4 week window to apply!!

 

[becsybabe]

Thanks I got a text saying they received my claim and I should expect to hear from them within 4 weeks xx

 

[Prrrfect]

Hi could someone please tell me what the 4week window to apply is please?
Thanks

 

[becsybabe]

Hiya I didn't know that you had a 4 week window. I just thought as soon as you was 26weeks you can apply. Xx

 

[Tigeress]

I've been wondering about this, I'm on esa currently as I was ill during pregnancy. Ruth is here now so do I apply for it now? She's four weeks old? If anyone knows, I get so confused with it all xxxx

 

[becsybabe]

You can apply for it now I think you need to do it soon after the birth of the baby if you are applying after. I printed all my forms off the internet and filled them in n sent them off then a week or so later I got a text saying they had it and will get back to me xx

 

[Tigeress]

You can apply for it now I think you need to do it soon after the birth of the baby if you are applying after. I printed all my forms off the internet and filled them in n sent them off then a week or so later I got a text saying they had it and will get back to me xx

Thanks hun, I will give them a call tomorrow and see what they suggest, as my partner is claiming to for now, so not sure if we will loose Money. It all confuses me cos we normally work lol xxx

 

[becsybabe]

£27 a week iv been awarded. What a joke how do they expect me to be ok with that bloody hell I have to live xx

 

[cassi]

£27 a week iv been awarded. What a joke how do they expect me to be ok with that bloody hell I have to live xx

You can choose your best earning 13 weeks they don't have to be the last 13 weeks. Did you do that? If not try to amend if your earnings differed. Also, did you pay NI? Again, if not you can voluntarily pay it as to get the full amount you have to be paying class 2 nics.

 

[Tigeress]

£27 a week? No way?? That's shocking xx

 

[becsybabe]

£27 a week iv been awarded. What a joke how do they expect me to be ok with that bloody hell I have to live xx

You can choose your best earning 13 weeks they don't have to be the last 13 weeks. Did you do that? If not try to amend if your earnings differed. Also, did you pay NI? Again, if not you can voluntarily pay it as to get the full amount you have to be paying class 2 nics.

How do I pay the NI and how much is that do you know? Xx

 

[cassi]

£27 a week iv been awarded. What a joke how do they expect me to be ok with that bloody hell I have to live xx

You can choose your best earning 13 weeks they don't have to be the last 13 weeks. Did you do that? If not try to amend if your earnings differed. Also, did you pay NI? Again, if not you can voluntarily pay it as to get the full amount you have to be paying class 2 nics.

How do I pay the NI and how much is that do you know? Xx

Depends on your earnings but it's not much. Phone up HMRC, to qualify for maternity allowance proper rate you must have been making NI contributions, if you didn't pay for the latest tax return for 15-16 ask if you can voluntarily pay retrospectively if you now have less than 13 weeks until maternity leave.

 

[becsybabe]

Thank you for your help I rang them and iv to pay £36.40 to get the full entitlement iv only got 7 weeks to my due date so that's now put my mind at ease xx

 

[SalisburyMum]

I'm hoping I don't have to pay any extra for full entitlement.
I'll be off from April 30th til Christmas time... Then onto income support I imagine

 

[Onedaysoon25]

That is shocking what they were going to pay you! Glad it's sorted.

I have not even sent mine off yet so I'm worried now. I don't earn enough to pay NI but I have been getting NI credits since I left my full time job after my first DD. Were you getting these credits or had you not paid NI at all?

 

[becsybabe]

I had paid national insurance but the way it falls when I do my tax return it shoed I hadn't paid enough. I do my tax return January so for the year 2016/2017 I won't pay that until January next year so that's why it was coming up that I hadn't paid enough so I have that option to pay £36.40 now then I will get the full amount so obviously I'll do that. Really don't see why they couldn't just if taken that out of the first payment when it all starts xx