Self Employed Maternity Allowances

jojoro_3

Hi, I just wondered whether anyone could help. I'm pregnant and due in March and am self employed. I have a certificate of exception for Class 2 NI so it looks as tho I'm only entitled to 90% of the Maternity Allowance Threshold of £30 i.e. £27 per week, which is what they will class my earnings as, even though my earnings are more than this. Can someone just confirm this is the case? Why is tax so chuffing confusing? Thanks!

ceeforcat

I have never heard of 90% rule for self-employed persons, only for employed and I believe that you will get £30 per week for 39 weeks.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/maternity-allowance-ma/

jojoro_3

Hi, and thanks for your answer. It was on another DWP webpage
dwp.
gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/maternity-allowance-ma/rates-of-ma/ where it mentions the rate of MA at 90% of the MAT. If I claim MA I can't work for the weeks I'm claiming it, so there isn't much point in claiming it! I might as well just get saving. Great!

lalamb77

Hi,

Depending on how much you earn could it be worth cancelling your small earnings certificate and start paying voluntary class 2 contributions which I believe is £2.50 a week to give you a the right to claim the much higher MA rate.

This article seems quite useful:

http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/09/08/self-employed-protect-your-right-to-maternity-allowance/?doing_wp_cron

If you cancel now you could still have 13 weeks of paying class 2 contributions without holding a certificate?

It maybe worth considering if the difference in weekly rate is £90.

Hope it helps.