Advice/experience of claiming Maternity Allowance as self-employed

[Rideforthehills]

I have been self-employed for three years and I think I am eligible for Maternity Allowance. I've got a few weeks yet before I can claim but just want to make sure my paper work is in order so I can claim the maximum amount.

Has anyone claimed this? Any tips/warnings/advice?

How does the 26 week test period work if you are self-employed? Did you need to provide proof of earnings?

I am a freelance writer and editor so work from home. First baby, hence quite possibly stupid questions.

[whampiece]

When I claimed I didn't have to prove anything because I had paid the right amount of NI to cover the test period.

[Rolypolybabies]

As above. As long as your NI is paid in full for earning the test amounts you automatically qualify.

[MerlinsScarf]

If the test period falls into the current tax year and you haven't paid the NI on it yet then you can request a form, submit the relevant figures and they will send you an invoice. Otherwise you don't need any particular evidence of anything.

My only warning would be that some of the MA staff are good but others don't seem to have a clue about the way their own system works for the self employed, or the ways self employed people submit returns.

[lambdroid]

Also self-employed and claimed MA.

It was pretty straightforward and I found the MA staff helpful. They explained everything well to me, including all the test period stuff- mine fell in the current tax year so I hadn't paid the NI, but they let me know what to pay and it was all fine.

The most stressful thing for me was that in first letter they sent to me, it said I'd only get £37 a week (or whatever the minimum is, can't remember), which sent me into a huge panic. I phoned them and it's just that they have some ridiculous system where they send out that letter, then work things out properly and then send you the other letter saying that you're entitled to the full amount. It all worked out and was ok, but I could have really done without that!