Self employed and SMP?

[Ninni]

I can't remember how much the statutory maternity pay is and how long it's paid for? Am I still entitled if I am self-employed?

Have you been paying class 2 ni contribs? If so then you will be entitled to full maternity allowance - £123 a week for 9 months. If not then you can still apply for MA but the level will depend on your earnings.

Check out the NHS guide, there was another guide that you could download in pdf and that seemed easier to understand but can't find it.

Click and scroll down, there is mention of self-employment.

www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a- guide-to-maternity/maternity-allowance-ma/

www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/t echnical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Ben efitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

Hope the links work... I've copied this below as well:

What happens if you don't qualify for SMP?
Maternity Allowance
If you can't get SMP from your employer, you might get Maternity Allowance (MA) if you:

• are employed
• are self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance (NI) contributions
• have a Small Earnings Exception certificate
• are not employed but have worked close to or during your pregnancy

The conditions are that you:

• have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the week your baby was due (a part week counts as a full week)
• earned an average of £30 over any 13 of those 66 weeks

The standard rate of MA is £123.06 or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings, whichever is less. MA is paid for up to 39 weeks; it is not liable to Income Tax or NI contributions.

Hope this helps!