Maternity allowance form

[Rachtoteach]

Have I done it wrong?

I keep reading (now that I have sent the flipping form off) that you have to send in invoices covering a test period? I have just sent off the original form and the only thing I sent with it was a Matb1 - I didn't see a requirement for anything else. Am worrying now. Will they request invoices from me at a later date?

Thanks!

I think you only have to send the invoices and payslips etc off if you were employed, rather than being self employed. If you're self employed they just assume you have earned the right amount to qualify. That's how I read it anyway, I applied for and am now receiving MA and there was never any problem with my application.

Same here, I applied earlier this year and assume they can cross ref with HMRC re: self assessment tax return and National Insurance. A lot of this is based on trust e.g. You're alllowed ten keeping in touch days (individual calendar days on which you can do an amount of paid work) but it's up to you to let them know if you do more.

Where do you keep reading that? To be clear, as long as you have paid six months worth of Class 2 NI contribution you qualify for MA as self employed. You don't need to send in your invoices, and it has nothing to do with your tax return.

oh yes, that's right - memory shot to hell - you need to have paid 13 weeks of class 2 NI during the test period to get the full amount of MA. But, be warned, if you got a small earnings exception certificate so you don't pay class 2 you get much less MA per week. I was advised to return my certificate and voluntarily pay 13 weeks class 2 - even though my self employed income at the time didn't require me to, to get full MA

Actually you need to have been registered for Class 2 for 26 weeks, but the amount you get is based on the best 13 weeks so you get the full amount of MA if you have held the small earnings certificate for 13 weeks and paid full contributions (only £2.65 a week) for 13 weeks.

Note that voluntary NI contributions (Class 3) are something different and do not count for MA, and also that you don't get credit towards the basic state pension if you hold the Small Earnings Exemption so I usually advise paying the £2.65 a week if self employment is your only source of earnings, particularly if you May become pregnant.