Maternity allowance when self employed

[SaRaRaRaRa]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on maternity allowance please. I started up as self-employed/freelance in July 2013. I have been working on a few ongoing projects since then and have invoiced as I have reached certain points in them, as follows:

Nov 2013 - £1,953
Jan 2014 - £1,335
March 2014 - £1,271
May 2014 - £2,279
July 2014 - £1,568

So, the first invoice covers work July-Nov 2013, second Nov-Jan, etc. I am now pregnant, due in October and I don't know if I qualify for maternity allowance? If I do, does anyone know how I work out the qualifying period and amounts?

Thanks very much in advance!

Have you paid your Class 2 NI contributions?

This outlines the criteria:
www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

I found the tel helpline helpful, although somebody on here suggested ringing twice to ensure you are told the right info!

MA pay is c£134 a week from memory, I finished my mat leave in March.

Congrats on the pregnancy.

Thanks, Margo. Yes, I've been paying my class 2 NI contributions.

I think I do qualify according to the criteria but I'll try the phone line - twice!

Congrats on your baby