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Even when you’re growing life you can’t escape boring paperwork.
You need a MatB1 form so you can get maternity pay and other benefits.
What’s a MATB1 form?
A MATB1 form, sometimes called a Maternity Certificate, is a form to prove to your employer (or the government) you’re pregnant and your due date. Yes, it’s a bit of tedious paperwork but really important to get sorted so you can get paid time off after your baby is born.
You should get one at your 20-week appointment when you usually have a scan too. But if you don’t you can ask your midwife or GP for it.
Why do I need a MATB1 form?
A MAT B1 form is necessary to prove that you’re pregnant and when you’re due so your employer can sort your maternity pay. You need one if you’re full time, part-time, self-employed and even if you’re not working.
If you have a job your MATB1 form lets you claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer. Self-employed or don’t work? You’ll need it to claim your Maternity Allowance from the government, an alternative to SMP.
Will I get SMP or Maternity Allowance?
If you have a full-time job you’ll usually get SMP, for up to 39 weeks. For the first six weeks, it’s 90% of your average weekly pay before tax. And for the next 33 weeks, it’s £172.48 or 90% of your average weekly pay (whatever is lower).
You can get SMP if you:
- earn £120 or more a week
- have had the same employer all the time for 26 weeks or more including during a qualifying week (which is the 15th week before your due date week)
- give your employer your MAT B1 form at least 15 weeks before your due date.
If you don’t fit neatly into this category or are self-employed or don’t work you can apply for Maternity Allowance.
You might be able to get Maternity Allowance if you:
- have a job but you don’t fit the list of things you need to get SMP
- are self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance
- don’t have a job.
There are different levels of maternity allowance and you could get £156.66 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks or £27 a week for 39 weeks or £27 a week for 14 weeks.
You can get SMP or MA payments from 11 weeks before you have your baby.
What should I do when I get my MATB1 form?
Once you get your MATB1 form, be sure to sign it and get a copy made just in case you lose the original one - this means things won't get held up.
Then you need to give it to your employer (if you have one) before you’re 25 weeks pregnant. They definitely need it by 15 weeks before the week you’re due to have your baby. Make sure you let your boss or HR department know (in writing) your due date and when you want your maternity leave and pay to start.
Have more than one job? Both employers need a copy of your MATB1 form.
Don’t have a job or think you won’t get SMP? You need to fill in a Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form before you’re 25 weeks pregnant.
Now you’ve got your head around maternity certificates, read more about benefits you can get in pregnancy.
A MAT B1 form, sometimes called a Maternity Certificate, is a form to prove to your employer (or the government) you’re pregnant and your due date. Yes, it’s a bit of tedious paperwork but really important to get sorted so you can get paid time off after your baby is born.
You should get one at your 20-week appointment when you usually have a scan too. But if you don’t you can ask your midwife or GP for it.
A MAT B1 form is necessary to prove that you’re pregnant and when you’re due so your employer can sort your maternity pay. You need one if you’re full time, part-time, self-employed and even if you’re not working.
If you have a job your MAT B1 form lets you claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer. Self-employed or don’t work? You’ll need it to claim your Maternity Allowance from the government, an alternative to SMP.
If you have a full-time job you’ll usually get SMP, for up to 39 weeks. For the first six weeks, it’s 90% of your average weekly pay before tax. And for the next 33 weeks, it’s £172.48 or 90% of your average weekly pay (whatever is lower).
You can get SMP if you:
- earn £120 or more a week
- have had the same employer all the time for 26 weeks or more including during a qualifying week (which is the 15th week before your due date week)
- give your employer your MAT B1 form at least 15 weeks before your due date.
If you don’t fit neatly into this category or are self-employed or don’t work you can apply for Maternity Allowance.
You might be able to get Maternity Allowance if you:
- have a job but you don’t fit the list of things you need to get SMP
- are self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance
- don’t have a job.
There are different levels of maternity allowance and you could get £156.66 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks or £27 a week for 39 weeks or £27 a week for 14 weeks.
You can get SMP or MA payments from 11 weeks before you have your baby.
Once you get your MAT B1 form, be sure to sign it and get a copy made just in case you lose the original one - this means things won't get held up.
Then you need to give it to your employer (if you have one) before you’re 25 weeks pregnant. They definitely need it by 15 weeks before the week you’re due to have your baby. Make sure you let your boss or HR department know (in writing) your due date and when you want your maternity leave and pay to start.
Have more than one job? Both employers need a copy of your MAT B1 form.
Don’t have a job or think you won’t get SMP? You need to fill in a Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form before you’re 25 weeks pregnant.
Now you’ve got your head around maternity certificates, read more about benefits you can get in pregnancy.
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