Maternity impact

Have a new client that has not yet ceased self employment (paying Class 2) but has traded as a limited company throughout the year (no income via self employment - should have ceased last year but previous advisor - well least said..).  We are just about to take an annual salary at the NIC threshold.

She is pregnant and will start maternity leave in June.  She is not eligible for SMP (not on payroll long enough) but has paid enough Class 2 to claim MA.  Given that all her income is now derived from the limited  company she needs to cease self employment.  If she wasn't pregnant and about to claim MA she would be entitled to a refund of her Class 2 contributions because of the PAYE salary to be taken at the NIC threshold.  Does this treatment change now that she is actually pregnant and will be claiming MA?

I will be calling the employer helpline but want to do a bit of reading up first.  Can anyone recommend a good place to start.

Thanks in advance

Pete