Maternity Allowance
Report a change of circumstances
You need to report changes in your circumstances that happen while you’re receiving Maternity Allowance, for example if you go back to work.
Your Maternity Allowance could be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change straight away. If you’re paid too much you might have to pay some of the money back. You might also have to pay a £50 fine.
If you deliberately do not report changes, you’re committing benefit fraud.
Changes you need to report
Report a change of circumstances if you:
- return to work (including ‘keeping in touch days’)
- start or stop work
- start a new job
- become entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer
- return to unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner’s business
- change your address
- change your name
- change your bank details
- move abroad
- go to prison or are held in police custody
- no longer wish to claim Maternity Allowance
If you decide not to return to work after your Maternity Allowance has ended, you do not need to report this. Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get other financial support.
Reporting ‘keeping in touch days’
You need to report any days you work for your employer while receiving Maternity Allowance. These are known as ‘keeping in touch days’.
You can take up to 10 keeping in touch days without affecting the amount of Maternity Allowance you receive.
How to report changes
You can report changes by telephone or by post.
If you’re not sure whether you need to report a change, you can call for advice.
Report changes by phone
You need your National Insurance number when you call.
Maternity Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 169 0283
Textphone: 0800 169 0286
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0283
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Welsh language: 0800 169 0296
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Report changes by post
You need to include your National Insurance number on any letters.
Send details of your changes to:
DWP Maternity Allowance
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 2GL