I have just be refused maternity allowance, due to the face i was apparently not emlpoyed for long enough, Hello I worked for 30 weeks full time out of the 66week period and you only have to work 26 weeks and earn minimum of 30 pound a week.Now i am fighting them about it but just p***es me off big time, especially when all these MP's are claiming all these bloody expenses.

My problem is if i lose the case then what do i do, my husband is about to be made redundant and I am 35+5 weeks how am i ment to get a job now? I need that money as obviously we dnt know how long it will take husband to get into new job. i know we can claim benifits but i still dnt think that this is equivilent to what i know i am entitle to.

Not expecting any replys but feels good to vent.

Sarah and Pink Bump 35+5

Hi i had to claim maternity allowence when i had my daughter so i know what a palava it can be. do you have pay slips for the time you were working? if you do photocopy them, even if they want to orginals, photocopy them so you can keep a copy! whats your next step? have you been down to job center to see someone about it? if you havent, make an appointment as they will help you with it. good luck and im sorry to hear about your hubbys job x

Hi there saw your post and felt so mad for you had to reply lol x
I completely agree its a right farce what people have to go through to claim benefits they are entilited too.
We have two sons and are expecting our third baby in August and my husband was recently laid off. It been a right joke and the ammount of money we can claim is pathetic it wont keep our heads above water. Yet i know at keast twenty in my villages who make a living out of fiddling the system and they are all fine.
Am going to vote in half an hour but have no faith in any of them.
Hope they get it sorted and pay you what you are owed. Try not to let the worry spoil this special time x x x

I'd say speak to citizens advice (if you haven't already) they have experts who will be able to represent you if it needs to go to a benefits tribunal etc. They make it really difficult to appeal against their decisions but if you think you are entitled then fight for it! CB will also be able to advise you on anything else you are entitled to apply for like the maternity grant etc.
The benefits system is all wrong in this country they make you jump through hoops to claim what you are entitled to yet some people seem to get everything so easily. I'm sick of reading in the newspaper about people who have defrauded honest taxpayers out of thousands (sorry kinda hijacking your rant now).
Hope everything works out for you, know money is the last thing you want to be worrying about with lo on the way! x x