Maternity allowance self employed

[Sunisshining12]

Apologies if posted in the wrong section!

Could someone please explain maternity allowance rules if self employed.

I understand you have to have paid class 2 NI contributions, but for this to kick in you need to earn £6k (or just under)

What if you earn under £6k. Can you still pay class 2 ni?

Or does it mean if you earn under £6k you're not entitled to MA seens as you're not eligible to pay class 2?

TIA

[Sunisshining12]

Spoken to hmrc after a long wait on the phone! He said yes still eligible will be sent a ni bill once a claim is made :)