Maternity allowance when both employed & self-employed

[confusedofengland]

I had DS3 on 20th February (due date was 27th February). I have just been informed by my employer that I am not entitled to SMP from them, as I have paid no contributions through them. Total pay before tax to date for this tax year was just under £5k. I was with them for over a year.

I am also registered self-employed, but have not done any s/e work for over a year now. I filed a nil tax return at the end of January. I paid some NIC recently (end of January) but can't remember what period it related to.

Would I be entitled to Maternity allowance in these circumstances?

You will need to apply for MA based on your employment if you have not been paying class 2 NI regularly. It'll be paid at 90% of your average salary (based on the payslips you send them).

I found some paperwork confirming that the nics I paid in January was for up to & including October 2013. Will that make a difference, do you think?

Up to Oct from when?

About 18 months previously. I had been paying them prior to that, too, but the sum I paid in January was for that period.