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Maternity Allowance and voluntary NI

Ed Pybus
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Welfare rights worker for disabled children and families - CPAG in Scotland

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Total Posts: 40

Joined: 19 September 2012

Hiya,

Can anyone clarify if our interpretation is correct. If a claimant is self employed and earns below the national insurance threshold, can they pay voluntary Class 2 NI contributions for 13 weeks in the employment test period in order to have entitlement to Maternity Allowance at the full rate?

Many thanks

Ed

Brian JB
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Advisor - Wirral Welfare Rights Unit, Birkenhead

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Joined: 18 June 2010

Not an answer, but a similar query. If someone with an expected date of confinement in 26 weeks time, who prior to 6/4/15 got a small earnings exception (and who will not have profits sufficient for Class 2 2015/2016 or current year) pays Voluntary NI for at least 13 weeks this year, will she be treated as earning £155.09 per week (which is how I read it)?

Stuart
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that’s how I understand it - she can pay voluntary class 2 early for at least 13 weeks (see CPAG handbook p949/50) (early because they are only due on 31 January after the end of the tax year)- but make sure she pays them in respect of the 2016/2017 tax year so the 13 weeks fall with the 66 week test period prior to her EWC- (counting back from the time when you say her baby is due in six months time, means she would not have 13 weeks in the 2015/2016 tax year falling within her test period).

Brian JB
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Advisor - Wirral Welfare Rights Unit, Birkenhead

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Total Posts: 472

Joined: 18 June 2010

Thanks Stuart, much appreciated