Self Employed - Maternity Allowance - Anything Else?!

[JoJoFTM]

Hi Ladies,

Firstly I'm new here so I apologise for jumping in asking for help rather than offering help to others first - bad form I realise :-(!!

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and am self employed - have been running my own business for 3.5 years so all up to date with NI etc... I know I can apply for Maternity Allowance, but does anyone know if there is anything else I should be looking into? My husband works and earns an average income - not a high rate tax payer, and I earned less than £20k 2010-2011...

I'm new to benefits etc and although I don't want to push the system we are really going to struggle (with mortgage, bills etc) if I take any time out so could do with finding out if there is anything else we are entitled too?

Any advice greatfully received :-)!

Worth looking into tax credits I should think. You also need to apply for Child Benefit once the baby is born (currently £80 a month).

I'm also self-employed and have been looking at this recently.

You need to sort your claim for MA out asap to make sure you don't have to wait for it - you can download the forms here: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017811

Then child benefit is £20 a week, not loads but enough to pay for some nappies...

You might qualify for tax credits, there's a calculator thing here: www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/who-qualifies/children/index.htm

It's calculated on joint income though so quite possible not. You might qualify for working tax credits once you go back to work as well.

Ahh thanks Grumpla and 2012baby - I will apply for MA this week - it all looks so daunting!!

Thnks for the advice re Child Benefit - like you say, not loads but better than a kick in the teeth and will all help :-).

Will also look into the tax credits, and working tax credits too :-)

Thanks again

Im also self employed and basically we would be better off if we had been on the dole all tis time!!!! so frustrating!

It does all seem a bit backwards doesnt it!! I think we'd definitely be better off to be renting somewhere rather than with a thumping huge mortgage on a tiny house! It appears we earn too much for any help, but too little to afford to live! Oh well will jsut have to get working again a week or 2 after having baby - at lease being self employed I can try and fit work around LO!

yep. I will have to go back to work pretty quickly. I know you can work for ten days whilst claiming maternity allowance they call it keeping in touch days. rubbish isnt it?