HELP!

[Freddie15VES]

I’m self employed and I’ve had my letter through from the DWP today telling me that their decision on my allowance is £27 per week - how am I supposed to live off that!

I saw someone mention that if you pay an NI payment then they’ll top you up to the full amount, is this right?!

I'm really worrying!

I paid to have an extra amount per week which was well worth it but I can’t remember the details. I think for me it told me in the information they sent that I could do that so check to see if there’s any info in with their decision. I’d definitely call them to check that out.

Hi! I've been looking into this recently as expecting no 2 next year and also self employed.

This is what it says in the gov website:

You can get between £27 to £172.48 a week for up to 39 weeks if you’re self-employed.
How much you get depends on how many Class 2 National Insurance contributions you’ve made in the 66 weeks before your baby is due.
To get £172.48 per week you must have:
• been registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due
• paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before the baby is due

So basically when you do your tax return make sure you pay the NI (£3.45 per week) and backdate it for at least 13 weeks.

It might take them some time to update your claim depending on when baby is due. So you may get £27 to start with then they'll backdate it.

Hope that's helpful