Husband running my business whilst on MA

[Georgias87]

Hi,

I've looked through the internet for hours and can't seem to find the answer. I run a small business of painting decorative personalised items for kids bedrooms, weddings etc. I have now stopped working as my baby is due in a few weeks time and my maternity allowance is due to start in a few weeks around my due date.
What I would like to know is if my husband who is a registered self employed decorater can take over taking any orders etc when the baby is a couple of months old until I want to return to working in 9 months?
It seems such a grey area, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Anyone???

I am only guessing but it would probably depend on income generated. Are you paid in advance? Or on delivery. Basically will taking the orders before you finish maternity mean extra income before you officially return to work?

Have you checked out how many keeping in touch days you’re allowed? That may help a little...

Sorry just read re-read and sounds like he would be doing the work. So he’d just be paid for covering? Meaning no income for you technically? If it goes on his tax return you’ll be fine I think

Thank you for your reply.
So yes basically he will do it all for me just not as much as I would normally do but I just don't wanty business to disappear and loose customers and he would have all money paid to him and file any profit with his self employed tax return next year?

Then that sounds fine-I’m not an expert but if you’re not drawing any income from it I can’t see how it would affect your maternity benefits.

(For comparison I’m self employed in a healthcare profession. I had maternity cover who treated all my patients and received all payment and then I took over again once mat leave ended. It didn’t occur to me it would be an issue tbh!)

I've spoken to someone today at DWP and yes it's fine as long as my husbands shows any profits on tax return next year 👍🏼 I just want him to be able to make products for my regular customers so that the business I've built for years doesn't die out whilst I'm enjoying baby time! X