Maternity Allowance if Self-employed

[Morningnewspaper]

Does anyone know about maternity allowance if you're self-employed and has anyone been through the process? How and when do you do it and how much do you get and for how long? Obviously I can't apply for stautory maternity pay from my employer...

Hi I was looking into this last night and found these which may help you. It doesn't mention any of the changes which come into effect in April 2007.
working families website
Maternity Allowance
HTH

I am getting MA and am self employed.

You can claim from 28 weeks, and was VERY straight forward. As long as you don't have a small earning certificate you get the full amount of 108 a week for 26 weeks.

Basically all they do is check you have worked for 26 weeks in your 66 week period and you have paid 13 weeks worth of NI and bobs your uncle!

You also need a MATB1 certificate signed by your midwife to send off to them with your application. I have found them a little bit slow in dealing with it, though all sorted now.

Oh that's all great thank you so much - the website looks great and I must remember the MATB1! Is there anywhere on-line that I can get the application forms or do i really have to go to a job centre??

Have you tried www.direct.gov.uk itll tell you all you need to know on there and weather you can apply online or not, im sure you have to go to the job centre for the form, i know i did!

Hi again - you can download the form on the second link below, just scroll down nearly to the bottom of the link.

I got my form online - you do have to print it out though so that you can accompany it with the cert. If you follow the second link that Irkids put on below you can download it from there.

MATB1 I got from the midwife.

Thanks ladies - you have all been very helpful! I'm 22 weeks now, so will set the ball in motion as soon as I hit 28 weeks. I presume you are not allowed to be earning any money at the same time?!?!

Hi there. I think you posted this thread twice. I put the link to get the Maternity Allowance application form online on your other thread. hth.

Does anyone know if you can claim maternity allowance and still continue to earn a minimal amount?
I am hoping to carry on with one of my clients throughout 6 month mat leave. Would give me an extra £250 per month but can't find anything that tells me whether doing so would negate the mat allowance.

katierocket, pretty sure you can't earn anything while you are claiming mat allowance.... last time around, I just made sure I dated my invoices accordingly (either I pre-issued them before work was complete or post dated them). Depends on your accounting methods...!

Thanks orangina hadn't even thought of doing that.

this thread has really helped me too, Thanks

Hi

I am 27 weeks and self employed in a partnership.
I am just completing my mat allowance form. My average earnings over the 13 weeks test period (which I understand don't have to be consecutive)average £300 a week, Should I budget to recieve £270.00 ie 90% or is it capped at £108 a week?
What do you all think?

I suppose that I am lucky that I have a business partner who is able to run it in my absence (Although I'll still be around!)

Thanks

Flossi...You will recieve the 108 a week, you either get 108 a week or 90% of your earnings, which ever is less.

Thanks pucca! I did think that the upper amount was too good to be true!!!