Not completing forms until leaving work? Is this right?!!

[HideiLu]

I called up today to find out what forms I need to fill out for my maternity pay.

I was told I have to STOP working before I can fill in the form, and I can not submit the form a day sooner than 5TH JUNE 2008 which is 11WEEKS before my due date?!

Is this right?!

I'm getting so stressed as I have a v complicated case;

- I left my last job in June 2007
- I set up my own Ltd company in September 2007 (The income so far is just for the business and not my wage)
- I didn't work between these dates
- I became pregnant in November 2007 (Found out in January 2008)
- I started working as a full time temp in February 2008
- OH was made redundant in February 2008 and so also does not qualify for Paternity pay from his new employer.

- Basically if I stop working, the company won't earn money as I'm the sole employee, and I wont be getting any income from the temp work either. But they're saying that's fine as my partner works and I live with him.
He is on a low income and no way he can pay my half of things too.

Sorry it's a bit long, but if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Surely we can at least fill out the form and wait to see if Im entitled to anything, giving up work now is not an option!!

 

[Suzie and Faith]

This is how I think it is:
You can send off your claim for maternity allowance from 26 weeks
You can begin maternity leave and start claiming maternity allowance at 29 weeks - but equally you can wait until 38 weeks to start claiming.

You need 15 weeks worth of pay slips from any time in the last 66 weeks. Providing your average weekly income over these 15 weeks was above 117.18 (ish) then you will be entitled to 117.18 a week maternity allowance.

If your average income over your chosen 15 weeks is less than this then you will get 90% of that average.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCp/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_008115.xml.html

At the bottom of this page (link above) is a link to 'fill in the form on screen' then you print it off.

it's got a lot of notes with it and can look quite confusing but why not have a go filling it out and see how you get on? There is a helpline number too. Feel free to PM me with any questions and i'll do my best to help!

 

[HideiLu]

Thanks hun

I went on there a while ago, and printed the form, but got so much mixed feedback about whether I had the right form or not

And then with being told today on the phone by them that I have to wait until 11 weeks before I got more confused

But their site confirms what you are saying so I am going with the 26weeks thing which is today

Another question though, the income from the business, is just that of the business, and not my income, do I need to include this also or is it just going to complicate matters?!

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I think it's just your income not the businesses.

It is all a bit confusing!

That's the form i filled in and i got mine all sorted and done
I got a letter from them after a week or so with something else i needed to fill in (which i'd missed at first) but because i'd sent the main bits in they backdated my pay as i'd had the main of the application sent to them in plenty of time - so if there is something you're not too sure off it's best to send it all in as soon as you can and they'll soon let you know if you've missed anything
xx

 

[HideiLu]

Thanks hun. You've been a huge help Printed off the form tonight and filled it out.

I need to be at my temp job another 2 weeks before I have 13 weeks in pay slips

Just trying to find Paternity Allowance form now for OH xx