Working while receiving maternity allowance?

[BarbaMamma]

I'm registered self employed and currently receiving maternity allowance. I've been offered a bit of work and know I'm entitled to 10 so-called KIT (keeping in touch) days. But how do you go about organising it? HMRC says contact Jobcentre Plus - not sure how that would work. Would love to hear from anyone who's done this - thanks.

Why would you need to organise anything? You're entitled to work for a maximum of 10 days while on mat leave without jeopardising your SMP or MA, so just work them and invoice for them as normal.

You only need to account for them if HMRC come asking, surely?

From what I've read they want to deduct each day you work from your MA payment, up to 10 days. You're proably right though - I really don't fancy complicating my life by getting involved with Jobcentre Plus and getting some jobsworth on the line...

The definitve guide on maternity benefits is N17A - here is a link to the relevent section of an online version.

There is no organising to do, as it says there, you can work for up to 10 days without it affecting your MA, just write to the Jobcentre Plus that dealt with your MA and tell them the dates.

Thank you Mranchovy! That's exactly the sort of information I was hoping for.