PSA - Maternity Allowance and small earnings exceptions

[Sparklies]

Don't do what I did if you're self-employed and hold a Small Earnings Exception certificate and want maternity allowance.

I assumed, from the wording on various forms (and when I applied for the certificate pensions were mentioned, but not MA - but I was told because I had existing young children that this would count in terms of contributions.. only for pensions it seems) that I'd be entitled to full maternity allowance as I held this form. It turns out not to be the case - they assume I've earned £30/week. I'm entitled to maternity allowance, just not "full" maternity allowance. So instead of the full rate of £130 or whatever it is, I get £27 (90% of £30). I wish I'd looked into it better, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

To say we're screwed is an understatement. I'm 26w6d today and have cancelled it immediately in the vain hopes I can get in enough class II contributions before 40 weeks (you need 13 weeks worth) but my baby (high risk) is due to be delivered by EMCS at 38w2d so it'll probably all be for nothing as I won't manage 13 weeks of contributions. So we're £4K out of pocket which is absolutely the last thing we needed. If I'd known this even two weeks ago we'd have been fine.

I hope I can spare at least one person this disaster :(

It sound like you'll probably be fine if you were there for a year!

I had something similar happen to me years ago with a job (thankfully I wasn't pregnant) - I was there a year too and had similar promises. It really is upsetting and crap. I hope you can find something else soon.

JJWMummy - my goodness that is awful, and just bizarre! I am not in the slightest bit surprised, but I am still shocked.

How on earth can they be conflicting?!! So stupid and unfair. I'm sorry you had to struggle.

There's no way any of us can know this random and illogical stuff often until it's too late, so the more we can share our various stories, hopefully people will remember and as you say, if it helps just one person..

Sparklies - really glad to hear that you have found a way round their system. I very nearly applied for a small earnings certificate because of the same thing saying that you will still be eligible for MA (no mention of it being at e lower rate) but only didn't cause I am a bit disorganised so was very pleased that I hadn't when I found out about the rules.

Very pleased that you found a loophole in their slightly crazy system.

What ae you doing about keeping your business going during mat leave? I can't decide whether to get someone else to come in and do some work, or try and get enough done in the 10 days you are allowed to just keep things ticking over. I don't want to turn down too many customers when I have spent the last year and half to build thhem up, but also want to use the mat leave.

greedychops - Glad it is not just me that completely didn't realise! I'm normally fairly disorganised myself and procrastinate over these things, but had a moment of being super organised which was when I started the business. Which reminds me, I really need to sort out an accountant one of these days..

I can't remember if I mentioned elsewhere in the thread or not, but I'm a family portrait photographer so like you it's painful having to turn down clients. Even though my website says "not taking bookings at present" I had somebody yesterday ask me to photograph their newborn.. who was due the day before mine! Not even a Keep In Touch day would sort that one especially as I need an ELCS!!

I'm planning on basically doing only a few sessions (squeezed into my ten KIT days) over the next nine months, and basically cherrypick them as best I can. Newborns generally pay the most so I'll go for those probably. Fortunately for me, most months my income from the business isn't an awful lot more than the highest rate of maternity allowance is anyway so I won't be suffering too badly. DH is the main earner in the family these days, or we would be in trouble!

Ohh my word - I am completely gutted. I rang the self employment office today to ask various bits about a claim I am yet to make and ... it turns out I applied for a small earnings certificate. Granted, I had not seen any contributions come out as haven't looked at our account for a good few months (basically due to a very annoying dongle internet security whatsit) and lo and behold .... nada.
I am pretty sure I only let them know I was becoming self employed again but the bloke I spoke to was SO rude. I am writing to complain but I have a feeling they'll take his side and then I'll have done myself out of about £50 a week - quite a few nappies that eh ladies?!
Anyone know of anything else I could have done / can now do to make it better?? Don't think I can move my start date as that was part of the ding dong today ... I also have only 12 weeks left until my due date (well, 12 + 5) so I probably can't pay 13 weeks worth of NI contributions.
I am SO cross :(
xx