Am I entitled to Maternity Allowance whilst self employed if I don’t earn enough to pay tax and NI? SAHM

[Testhelppp]

Hi.
I am a SAHM who works very adhoc doing some design work for a local business (for the past 5 months). I probably earn between 400-600 per month, so way under the personal allowance threshold. I have just found out I am pregnant with DC3.

Am I entitled to Maternity Allowance? I have never paid any tax or NI. I have read online about possibly paying voluntary NI to ensure that I can claim MA?

Many thanks

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

Presumably you work in a self- employed capacity? Sending an invoice rather than being on the payroll?
The question seems to be are you registered as self-employed rather than how much you earn. There might be time to register.

Are you registered as self employed? You need to be registered, then pay Class 2 NI contributions for at least 13 weeks (£3.45 per week). Then you'll be able to claim full SMA.

Yes I am.

Thank you - this is how I understood it too.

Am I right I’m thinking it doesn’t matter how much I have earned (or not earned) whilst being self employed as to whether I qualify or not? The only thing that matter is that I pay the voluntary NI contributions?

My DH thinks that I must have this wrong - else lots of stay at home mum’s that don’t actually do any self employed work would just register as self employed purely to claim MA. But I’m sure I do have this correct?!

You're right.