is there ANYTHING I can claim?

[surprisenumber3]

Due DC3 in April.

I work self-employed but very minimal income at the moment and don't earn enough to pay tax/NI so won't get SMP or MA.

However, the small amount I do earn really helps..is there anything I can claim while not working (prob only be for 8 weeks).

Hello,
You can claim contributory Job Seeker's Allowance if you've paid enough NI over previous years. Not sure of details but worth checking out.

I worked FT for 10 years, then went back to college to retrain for a year, then got pregnant with DD and fell down that no SMP or MA gap. Got contrib JA for 6 months while pregnant (had to sign on and 'look for work') but it kept the wold from the door.

brilliant, thank you will look into that.

I previously paid NI contributions from 1992-1999 and then 2001-2007 so might be worth looking at!

Great! I found they don't shout about it very loudly... Finger's crossed.

And that would be 'wolf' not 'wold' in previous post. We are not hunted by hills and valleys in this neck of the woods.

do I have to look for work even in the weeks following the birth? is that part of the deal? do they take DH's salary into account at tall?

DH's salary - no, it's based on your NI contributions and not means-tested. Runs for 26 weeks.

Looking for work - My 26 weeks ran out before my DD was born, then they assume SMP or MA will kick in for you. I don't honestly know how it would work for you, but have you contacted the DSS to double check you're not entitled to anything? Would it be worth suspending your business in order to qualify for JSA?

Also, when you register for child benefit, are you making sure you get the pension credits/NI 'points'-type thing that counts your years spent child-rearing when they come to calculate your state pension? I think it might be automatic if the CB is paid in your name not your DH's but may be worth checking.

thank you LYM. I think it is automatic CB is paid in my name but I also get some NI points because I receive Carer's Allowance for DS1 (this is why I had to give up work - couldn't juggle his appointments etc with working).

As I earn hardly anything now, I don't think I'm entitled to anything more than if I was a SAHM.

tax credits

I dont think you'll qualify for contributions JSA as you have to have two years NI contributions. Also if you claim carers allowance, they may not class you as being available for work in line with the criteria.

I think you can get INcome Support. When I was 6 months PG I lost my job and went wailing to the jobcentre, explaining that I really couldn't see myself getting another job at that stage of pregnancy and they said I could get IS for a while, which I did.

IS is only where no other household income though and assume OP has a partner.