Nine Months : Incapacity benefit

The incapacity benefit is paid at the time of the birth of your baby if you don't qualify for either Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or maternity allowance.

This may be the case if you have paid National Insurance contributions during the last two years that do not overlap the current calendar year. If you are unsure whether you can get this benefit or not, apply for it and let the Benefits Agency decide for you. You apply for it in the same manner as Maternity allowance.

The Incapacity benefit is paid from six weeks before your baby is due until two weeks after your baby is born. You will be paid some amount per week for this fixed period which cannot be changed.