Maternity allowance and class 2 National Insurance contributions?

girlneedshelp

Previously, HMRC would collect class 2 National Insurance on a monthly basis for the self employed. From what I understand, it is now an annual bill that is assessed along with your tax return? So if someone wants to apply for maternity benefit, how do they prove their national insurance contributions, when they have not been paid yet (as they are now paid at the end of the year, and not weekly?)

Thanks for any help! :j

NYM

This link will give you some info on claiming Maternity Allowance...

girlneedshelp

Thanks NYM! I think I found the relevant section:

"To qualify for the standard rate of MA, Class 2 NICs may need to be paid before the Self Assessment filing date. If payment has to be made early under the exceptions process, HMRC will issue a Class 2 NICs payment request to cover the number of weeks that need to be paid in order to qualify for the standard rate of MA. This payment request will be issued when DWP informs HMRC of a claim to MA."

In other words, it seems that you would file a claim for Maternity Allowance, and this would then trigger DWP to inform HMRC about the claim, who would then issue a "Class 2 NICs payment request to cover the number of weeks" needed to claim. Am I understanding that correctly? Thanks so much!!! :j

girlneedshelp

Bump, bump... anyone able to confirm that I'm understanding this correctly? Thanks in advance! :-)

girlneedshelp

Anyone able to confirm that the above is true? A big thanks in advance!!! :-) :A

themull1

You will need your test period, this is 66 weeks prior the date in which your baby is due. You will need to pay 13 weeks in this 66 week period. You get a form off your doctor/hospital with the due date on. If you contact the DWP office regarding your Maternity, you will have to send them the signed form as proof of your pregnancy, they will send a form asking HMRC how much you have paid, to see if you qualify.

HMRC will check to see how much you have paid, if you haven't paid enough they will send you a bill accordingly, and wait to see if you pay, then send the information back to DWP letting them know if the bill has been paid or not.

girlneedshelp

That was very helpful... thanks very much for the clarification on that!!! :j