When to apply for Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay?

[me4ever]

Just a question about when to apply for Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay. On the info sheets it says:

"Claims for Parental Leave Pay can be lodged up to three months prior to the child's expected date of birth or adoption"
And it says more or less the same for the Dad and Partner Pay.

Does this mean that it has to be done before you reach 3 months before your due date (Which is coming up this week for me)? Or can you do it afterwards as well? It doesn't say must, it says can?

[Teeki]

You can't apply before three months before your due date. So for me, my edd is 23/10, I can apply as of today. Or, because I'm also getting employer maternity leave, I can wait until baby is born and apply then with paper forms.

If you were to try and lodge the claim today, it would ask "are you expecting a child on or before 23/10/2013?" Or something along those lines.

Hope that helps!

[briggsy's girl]

You can apply UP TO three months before edd. Not before that.
It would generally be suggested to pre claim as then its all done and waiting for proof of birth so that it can be started at the date you request. Even in teeki's situation you can apply in advance (cos you will still have to do some stuff online which is a pain with a newborn) and then provide proof of birth and have the payment processed ready to start paying on the date you want

[Teeki]

Yep, that's what I'll be doing Online is so much easier! And thanks for the thread m4e, I didn't actually realise I was that close and could start the claim now lol.

[me4ever]

Thanks ladies! The "up to" had me a bit confused... And I'm off on holidays in a few days, so I can leave it for another 4 weeks till I'm back, then What a relief.