Problems with NI and MA. A warning to the self employed!

[farmerswifey]

Ok so my MW gave me my Matb1 form at 24 weeks but I have been struggling to sort things out due to problems with national insurance.

I am self employed and pay my NI quarterly. I filled in my MA forms and sealed them in an envelope with my MATB1 and before I posted it I rang to check with NI that I was paid up to date. They informed me that they are changing the pay dates and from October you will only be able to pay bills either at 6 monthly intervals or by DD.

Now I dont mind doing either one but I was cross to find out that they were just going to send me a bill in October so that they can start 6 monthly bills - and until this one is paid I will be in arrears.
I told them about my MA (as I know they check you are paid up to date in NI) and they said they have had loads of probs with this and they would send me a bill up until my 'test dates'. Until I have paid this they advised me not to post my MA forms incase of confusion.

This is really a warning to anyone self employed that pays by quarterly bills so that you can get this sorted sooner than I have!!

Hope it helps someone.

I actually got my bill through the post today (it took 2 weeks) and have paid it straight away and FINALLY posted my MA forms.

Does anyone know how long it will take for them to sort my MA out?

xxxxxxx

 

[xxembobxx]

Aarrggghhh I'm in exactly the same boat as you!
28 weeks and due to get my MAT B1 tomorrow. I only started SE in April and like you was told it is now 6 monthly bills
I called a couple of weeks ago and asked for a bill sooner and received mine yesterday. I paid it today so hoping it will show up when Job Centre check but I am worried as don't have much faith in govt departments!
It is a bit of a fiasco isn't it? I would say surely somebody in govt could have foreseen problems like this but it will no doubt have been a man that decided on the 6 monthly bills.

 

[farmerswifey]

It really and truly is a complete farce!
Glad you have got yours sorted though before you get your Matb1.
Ive been struggling to get my bill through. Paid it now and sent my forms - but like you say - will it show up when they check? They are SO SLOW and crap at communication in this way.
At least I have my stamped invoice saying I have paid. If they question me I will fax it to them!!

Good luck with yours! xxxxxxxxxx

 

[xxembobxx]

Good luck with yours! xxxxxxxxxx

Ditto to you xxxxxxxxx

I'm lucky in that I qualify under the fact I was employed in the last 66 weeks. I'd prefer to base it on NI though as my employment period was ML so the MA wouldn't be full rate.
Although lucky I am eligible that way I'm also fairly certain it's going to confuse them when I detail everything on the form - I'm almost counting on them querying something. Not counting on it getting sorted that quickly but fingers crossed - I hope they prove my doubts wrong