Question for self-employed people who have claimed Maternity Allowance

[MegBusset]

I'm attempting to fill in my claim form for MA for DC2 which is due in April. I'm a bit confused by the form and wonder if anyone can help (the helpline is closed til Monday).

I've got all the notes about filling in the test period, choosing the weeks where you earned the most money etc. However, in the notes it also says:

"If you are registered as self-employed, and have paid Class 2 NI contributions, and do not hold a Small Earnings Exception certificate, you will be treated as having enough weekly earnings to result in the standard rate of MA for any week covered by that Class 2 NI contribution"

I am self-employed (have been since last April) and have paid my Class 2 NI since then. Does that mean I do NOT have to send in proof of my earnings for 13 weeks?

(Slightly complicating matters is the fact that some of my clients treat me as a casual worker employed for one day at a time and pay me via PAYE. Others pay me gross after I've invoiced them.)

If anyone can shed some light I would appreciate it...

Bump if anyone is around this evening

Hi Meg.... no I don't think you have to send in proof of earnings.... if you just provide them with the info they ask for (NI etc included), they check up at their end that you have paid enough to merit the MA.

(I'm not 100% certain, but I think that's how it goes).

Amyway, the MA people are very helpful, get it all ready to send in on monday morning, but put in a quick phone call before you do. If you can't get through, send it anyway (w a cover letter?) and they will get back to you soon enough if there is any other info they need.

Good luck!

IIRC your right, so long as you have paid your class 2 for every week you are treated as having earnt enough. You will also IIRC not have to pay class 2 for those weeks that you receive MA, however you can not work for reward in those weeks either.

The proof of earnings bit is for casuals who have variable earnings and pay PAYE.

It's been five years since I claimed, but if things are still the same then you do not have to send in proof of your earnings if you are up to date with your class 2 contributions.

Thanks all. I think the issue is that a couple of my clients insist on paying me via PAYE (deducting tax and NI at source) thus, I think, technically making me an employee on the days that I work for them. That's what I'm not sure about, if I need to provide payslips for those clients.