I'm currently employed but not entitled to SMP as do not earn enough a week, so I have to claim maternity allowance. I don't wish to return to work after baby is born, if I quit 6 weeks before baby is due, will I still be able to claim maternity allowance? I know with different benefits (JSA) they can not pay you any money for a certain period of time as you technically made yourself unemployed, but is this the same with maternity allowance?