MATERNITY ALLOWANCE

What is it? | Basic qualifying conditions | How much could I get and how am I paid? | How and when should I apply? | What else might I be able to claim?

Claim form	Request one by filling in our online form
Tel :	01624 685105
E-mail :	general.benefits@socialsecurity.dhss.gov.im

What is it?

Maternity Allowance (MA) is payable to you if you -

are pregnant and have 11 weeks or less before the baby is due, or
have recently given birth, and
have been employed or self-employed and can satisfy certain conditions.

Maternity Allowance is payable for a maximum of 39 weeks (Please download "Section 3 - Benefits and Contributions Information Guide" below for further information).

Basic qualifying conditions

To qualify for MA you must -

be pregnant or have recently given birth
have stopped work
have worked in at least 26 of the 66 weeks immediately before the expected week of childbirth (EWC); and
have earnings from employment or self-employment which, on average, amount to at least £30 a week for any 13 weeks in the 66 weeks immediately before the EWC.

Employees - If you are an employee, MA will be paid at the rate of 90% of average weekly earnings up to a maximum (Please download "Section 3 - Benefits and Contributions Information Guide" below for further information).

Self-employed - if you are self-employed and have paid class 2 National Insurance contributions you will be treated as if the self-employed rate for MA is 90% of your earnings for the weeks covered by those Class 2 contributions.

If you are self-employed and have a Small Earnings Exception Certificate, you will be treated as having earnings equal to the MA Threshold that applies to the end of each week covered by the certificate.

You must be ordinarily resident in the Isle of Man at the time of the claim.

How much could I get and how am I paid?

Click here for Rates. Payment is usually made directly into a bank or building society account on a fortnightly basis.

How and when should I apply?

Use the claim form, enclosing the maternity certificate (MAT B1) and send it to the General Benefits Section, Ground Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas. The claim should be made in or after the 14^th week before the EWC.