Hi, I am pregnant (due in March) and self-employed, so will have to claim maternity allowance. As my profits are quite low, I usually get asked by the system whether I wish to make voluntary NI contributions when filing my tax return. Does anyone know what would be better this year: pay my NI as soon as possible and then apply for maternity allowance, or just apply, receive the letter from HMRC telling me the amount of NI owed and only pay afterwards? I am somehow concerned that if I pay up now, then there will be a delay in linking my payment to my maternity allowance application.