Working with Co-minder and assistant - Maternity Allowance???

[Helcatt]

Does anyone, maybe know the answer to this or can you point me in the right direction?

Maybe its just another thing I need to chat over with my accountant....

I will be going on Maternity Leave in December, w/c23rd, not that that is really important.

So, I currently work with 2 assistants, one is going to take over as CM (as soon as Ofsted red tape jumped through) and the two of them will work together while I am off, though I will be around a fair bit, helping with planning and maybe a bit of paperwork

As I will be off, but the income from the business will not be affected, am I able to claim Maternity Allowance? Last time I was off, it was straight forward, I worked on my own and business shut down while I was off then built it up again after DD was about 6 months - so obviously entitled then

Thanks

Hx

[sarah707]

I think you need to get proper advice :D

[Helcatt]

I think you need to get proper advice :D


What? As opposed to the "no Advice" so far received? :D

I thought Mr Anchovy might be around

The accountant seemed really vague - I did pop in and ask the question this morning and he just said that I might as well apply and see what happens.

Who else would I try? HMRC? Maternity Alliance were also very vague - thought they might be the ones to talk to

HX

[MrAnchovy]

Yes eligibility for MA is not based on income, it is solely based on two things:

Paying Class 2 National Insurance for 13 weeks since before the start of your pregnancy
Not working while receiving MA (you are allowed to work on up to 10 days, known as "Keeping In Touch" days)

The Department for Work and Pensions are terrible at answering questions on Maternity Allowance for the self employed, if you want to speak to anyone the HMRC National Insurance help line is a better bet.

But best just to look at the official guide (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/maternity-allowance-ma/changes-you-must-tell-us-about/) - you will see that all the references are to working, not to earning.

I am a bit busy on a couple of special projects at the moment...

[Helcatt]

Thank you so much!

That answers the question.

Hx