Self employed WTT march 2012

[Chloe2986]

Hello there. I am currently a self employed garden designer. AS far as MA goes i know i can apply for this when i fall pregnant, when does it start and when does it finish?

Also does anyone else know what else i should be applying for as far a credits etc etc, im all new to this and dont have a clue. Im trying to be super organised.
Also do you know how much MA i would receive a week as im self employed, and btw i have paid my NICS!

chloe

 

[xxembobxx]

MA is paid for up to 39 weeks and starts from your 29th week of pregnancy. You should apply at 25 weeks (don't think you can do so before) and if you haven't stopped work by 29 weeks you can specify when you want it to start, the latest date being the day your baby is born.
If you have paid class 2 NIC's then you will be entitled to the max amount of MA which is £128.73 per week.
MA is not classed as income for tax credits purposes so you will be classed as having no income but tax credits are assessed on joint income if you have a partner.
You can claim tax credits if you are over 25 and normally work more than 30 hours a week - if it's a joint claim it would be up to your partner to work 30 hours +.

 

[Chloe2986]

so if i was to claim tax credits, would they assess you on your last tax year and calculate from that?

 

[xxembobxx]

They usually do assess income on the previous tax year but once they have done taht you can then call them and ask to be reassessed on this year due to a drop in income. The only problem with being assessed on current year income is a possibility of overpayment but I believe they keep a portion of money you are entitled to until your income is confirmed at the end of the tax year so as long as you inform them of any changes immediately you should be ok.