back paying class 2 NI contributions to get maternity leave?

tryingtogetorganised

Hi,

I have been self employed for the last 2 years but unfortunately I'm having to close down very soon.

I haven't been paying NI as advised my my accountant (small earnings excemption) but would I be able to make a backpayment of NI contributions now?

It would be so I could be eligible for standard maternity allowance (I'm due in June). I would have to have paid NI contributions for the 66 weeks before the birth.

Thank you in advance for any advice,

X

krisskross

this from the website suggests you would be eligible anyway with the exemption certificate. Hope it hasn't changed.

How do I qualify?

To get Maternity Allowance you must have:

• been employed and/or self employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks up to and including the week before your baby is due. This 66 week period is known as the Test Period. Part weeks are counted as full weeks; and
• earned on average at least £30 or more a week in any 13 weeks in the Test Period. If you are registered self employed you will be treated as having an amount of earnings if you have paid Class 2 Contributions or a Small Earnings Exemption certificate.

Mor

Becles

There are two rates of MA for self employed people.

It's £27 a week for people who hold a small earnings certificate and around £120 a week for people who don't have a certificate and pay NI.

I'm not sure if you can back pay or not, but it would be worth ringing up and asking for advice.