Would be really grateful for advice on the following as I 'assumed' I would get maternity allowance without a doubt now I'm worried as I've started to actually look into it last minute and I may have messed up - please can someone tell me what to do..
I have been part-time self employed since 2012. First few years at a loss then £2k net earnings last year (2016-17) and just got my books back from accountant for net earnings of £4400 for 2017-18.
I had a part time job from 2009 working 16 hours a week earning £6700 a year. I left this is December 2017 to go self employed only... only to immediately get pregnant!
I was a single parent to one up until Jan 2016 so claimed benefits alongside and not sure I earned enough to pay NI contributions (I can check if someone can tell me what to look for... I literally know nothing about tax/national insurance etc which is why I have an accountant to do it all). My husband earns a lot so we do not get any tax credits etc since he moved in in Jan 2016. Shame it mainly all goes on the debt we're trying to get out of but that's another story.....
I am due to see the midwife on Monday and understand I have to ask for some sort of certificate to allow me to claim maternity allowance?
I am due end of August. I am planning to work up until end of July then return to work in January.
I do not make voluntary NI contributions - don't even know how?! Should I have been?? Will my long term employment have helped me as me leaving coincided with me getting pregnant? Or have I left myself in a rather cr*p situation?
How do I claim? Have I messed up? What should I do next?
Any help massively appreciated.