(1)

Subject to this section, if the claimant is entitled to be paid maternity allowance or maternity immunisation allowance, the Secretary must pay the allowance to the claimant, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.

Making of payments to third parties

(2)

The Secretary may instead pay the whole or a part of the allowance to someone other than the claimant, on behalf of the claimant.

Regulations may provide for timing and manner of making payments

(3)

The regulations may make provision for the time at which, and the manner in which, an allowance is to be paid for the purposes of this section. If such regulations are made, the Secretary must pay the allowance in accordance with the regulations.

Section subject to other provisions

(4)

This section is subject to Part 4 (Overpayments and debt recovery) and sections 225 to 228 (which deal with other debts etc.).