PART 2Claims
Special provisions where it is certified that a woman is expected to be confined or where she has been confined18
Where, in a certificate issued or having effect as issued under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 M1, it has been certified that it is to be expected that a woman will be confined and she makes a claim for maternity allowance in expectation of that confinement, any such claim may, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, be treated as a claim for an employment and support allowance, made in respect of any days in the period beginning with either—
a
the beginning of the sixth week before the expected week of confinement; or
b
the actual date of confinement,
whichever is the earlier, and ending in either case on the 14th day after the actual date of confinement.
2
Where, in a certificate issued under the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 it has been certified that a woman has been confined and she claims maternity allowance within three months of the date of her confinement, her claim may be treated in the alternative or in addition as a claim for an employment and support allowance for the period beginning with the date of her confinement and ending 14 days after that date.