do they count 26 weeks as employee and se for the ma

[happy81]

Hi,i am self employed but i recieved an offer for a job but have to become an employee.the problem is that am worried do they going to pay me the ma as i am pregnant.i have been working for about 12 weeks as a self employed and probably will continue as an employee at least 20 weeks so will have the minimum 26 weeks before i apply for ma.sorry is complicated,hope it makes any sense.Thanks

You will get Maternity Allowance if you have worked and paid National Insurance for at least 26 weeks during the last 66 weeks, regardless of how many employers you have had or whether you were self employed. The MA comes from the government and you would apply to them. Lots of info here, plus how to claim:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchil dren/DG_10018869

If you have been an employee of a company for 26 weeks at 15 weeks before your due date, you would be eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay which is a different payment altogether, sound like if you take this job you will not get SMP but you will be able to claim MA.

thank you