NI17A - A guide to Maternity Benefits
Maternity Allowance (MA)
How MA is paid
Our policy is to pay all benefit directly into an account. This is the safest way to pay you and lets you choose how and when you get your money. You can use a bank or building society account. The Post Office® also provides a bank account that we can pay benefits into.
Payment direct into an account
We recommend that you get your money this way because:
- It is safe and secure
- It is convenient – you decide when and how much you want to withdraw
- Using an account may help you to save
- From some accounts you could have regular bills paid. This could save you money but you will need to make sure that there is enough money in your account to pay the bills. If not you may be charged a fee
- You can get your money from different places
We cannot pay your MA into an account if you are claiming Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance at the same time.
Frequency of payment
Maternity Allowance can be paid every two weeks or every four weeks directly into your bank or building society.
First payment
We will tell you when the first payment will be made and how much it is for. After that please check with your bank, building society or Post Office® card account to find out how much is paid into your account.
Getting someone to collect your benefit
If you want someone else to collect your benefit for you regularly, you may be able to make arrangements with your bank, building society or, if you have a Post Office® card account, the Post Office. Please ask them to help you with this.
There are special rules that apply when someone is unable to manage their own affairs. Where no one is appointed as a receiver by the Court of Protection or, in Scotland, the person’s estate is not being administered by a tutor, curator or other guardian appointed under Scottish law, then Jobcentre Plus may appoint someone to act for them. For more information, contact Jobcentre Plus.
