The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that those eligible for the standard rate of maternity allowance will see a rise, as the payments increase from this week. Monday (April 10) was the first day of the increase, which will see a 10.1 per cent rise for those eligible, worth £15.82 a week or £617 in total over the 39 weeks it can be claimed.
This automatic increase is expected to benefit around 40,000 mothers this year, Cambridgeshire Live reports. The payments are given to new mums taking time off work to care for their newborn and provide a safety net for women before and after childbirth.
They are designed to cover those who do not qualify for statutory maternity pay. Last year, £360million was paid out in maternity allowance, supporting 46,000 mums during pregnancy.
Read more: DWP: New cost of living payments from April 2023 - full list of dates and who gets paid
DWP minister Viscount Younger of Leckie, said: "We want every child to have a good start in life, which is why we are increasing our support for mums. This builds on our extension of free childcare for working parents from this summer, alongside an increase to the universal credit childcare cost cap and further help with upfront payments.
"These changes will help parents progress in work and earn a better living to support their family."
Maternity allowance can be claimed from 26 weeks into pregnancy. Claims within three months after giving birth can also still lead to receiving the full 39 weeks worth of payments, LancsLive reports.
Working mothers receiving the standard rate of statutory maternity pay from their employer are also receiving a £15.82-a-week rise. Click here to check eligibility for maternity allowance.
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