maternity allowance

[babylily]

Evening.
Apologies for what is probably a very stupid question. I am normally a resonably intelligent person but am suffering severely from pregnancy brain drain...

I think i will qualify for maternity allowance but I can't seem to get it clear in my head...
I was self-employed for 26 weeks of my test period, but have since gone onto smployment on a 3 month contract. The thing is I will not be working at all from about 15 weeks of pregnancy... I just stopped paying my self-employed contributions as won't be able to return to s/e until after baby.
I just wondered if I ought to keep paying my class 2 nics to ensure my entitlement or if it's okay to be neither employed or self-employed for a few months before I actually claim.
I'm confused!

[maeggee]

Hi you I might have forgotten how it does work but why not call the jobcentre advice centre and just ask or I will try to check on several websites what they say

[ThePinkOne]

The direct.gov website has all the info about entitlement here.

It's a hell of a form! Good luck

[glasgal]

as long as you paid NI for 13 of your 26 weeks it's ok