Maternity Allowance in the UK: your complete guide 2025
If you are pregnant and not able to claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance (MA). Find out how MA works and if you are eligible.
Table Of Contents
What is Maternity Allowance?
Maternity Allowance is a payment made to employed or self-employed women who take time off to have a baby. Women who have recently stopped working and those who work unpaid for their partner’s business may also claim.
You can only claim Maternity Allowance if you are not able to get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
How does Maternity Allowance work?
Maternity Allowance is paid for up to 39 weeks. You can apply for Maternity Allowance from 26 weeks pregnant. You can choose to start your claim from the 11th week before your baby is due, up until the day after your baby is born.
Are you eligible for Maternity Allowance?
Most people will need to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due. This period, 66 weeks, is known as the Test Period and is used to work out whether you can claim.
Unpaid work and Maternity Allowance
You can claim MA for up to 14 weeks if you do unpaid work for a business run by your spouse or civil partner. You will need to have worked for your partner’s business for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due.
Self-employment and claiming Maternity Allowance
To claim payment if you are self-employed, you must be:
- Registered as self-employed with HMRC
- Paying Class 2 National Insurance (NI)
How to apply for Maternity Allowance
You will need to fill in the form MA1 to apply for Maternity Allowance. You can fill it in online and print it out, or print it out and fill it in. The form will need to be posted to the address on the form.
If you cannot print it out, order one from Gov.uk. If needed you can get a braille, large print or audio CD version of the form by calling Jobcentre Plus.
What you need to apply for Maternity Allowance
When you apply for Maternity Allowance, you will need to provide the following:
Details needed |
Documents/proof needed |
|---|---|
Employment history |
You need to provide details of your employment history for the 66 weeks before your baby is due. This is known as the Test Period; you can double-check what dates your Test Period is online |
Proof of income and salary |
Proof of your income, such as any payslips or bank statements |
Proof of a due date and birth |
You need to provide proof of your baby’s due date, or birth date if your baby has been born. This includes a letter from your doctor or midwife on headed paper, or your MATB1 certificate and or a birth certificate |
If you are applying because your employer has refused to pay Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) include your SMP1 form. If you were working for your partner’s business then you will need to provide proof of employment, such as a letter or timesheets.
You should send your completed claim form and evidence to the address on the form.
How much is Maternity Allowance and when is it paid?
Maternity Allowance payments are between £30 and £187.18 a week. MA is paid every two or four weeks, straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. You may be paid in a different way if you cannot open or manage an account.
If you are employed, or recently stopped working, you must have been registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due.
How much Maternity Allowance am I entitled to?
If you are employed, or recently stopped work, you’ll get £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for up to 39 weeks. You may get £30 for a few weeks while your contributions are linked to your Maternity Allowance application. The full amount should then be backdated.
How much Maternity Allowance do I get if I am self-employed?
You’ll get between £30 to £187.18 a week for up to 39 weeks if you’re self-employed. Maternity Allowance is based on your Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs). To get the full Maternity Allowance, you must have paid Class 2 NICs for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before the baby is due.
You can top up your National Insurance payments after you apply for Maternity Allowance.
How much Maternity Allowance will I get?
Employed or self employed |
Amount of Maternity Allowance |
|---|---|
Employed |
You will get £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) if you are employed or have recently stopped working. You can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks. This means if you take the full 52 weeks’ Statutory Maternity Leave, the last 13 weeks will be unpaid. |
Self employed |
You can get between £30 and £187.18 a week for up to 39 weeks if you are self-employed. If you have paid less than 13 weeks of contributions, your Maternity Allowance will be calculated based on how many weeks of Class 2 National Insurance contributions you have made. If you have not paid any Class 2 National Insurance contributions, you will be entitled to £30 per week. |
Can I increase my Maternity Allowance payments?
You can top up your National Insurance contributions.
If you have paid less than 13 weeks of Class 2 National Insurance the DWP will tell you how many weeks more you will need. Topping up your Class 2 National Insurance contributions will cost £3.45 per week.
Does Maternity Allowance change my other benefits?
Some of your other benefit payments may change, but your total benefits will not go down. You may also be affected by the benefit cap, which applies to anyone under State Pension age.
Maternity Allowance v Statutory Maternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Pay |
Maternity Allowance |
|---|---|
Paid by employers |
Paid by the Department for Work and Pensions |
Paid for 39 weeks |
Paid for 39 weeks |
90% of weekly earnings for six weeks then £187.18 or 90% of weekly earnings for the next 33 weeks |
Between £30 and £187.18 a week |
Paid when salary would be paid – so weekly or monthly |
Paid every 2 or 4 weeks |
Tax and National Insurance deducted |
Tax not deducted although benefit is taxable, counts towards National Insurance record |
Maternity Allowance – frequently asked questions
How long does a decision take?
You should hear within 20 days. If you can claim Maternity Allowance, you will get a form confirming this.
How quickly after applying will Maternity Allowance payments start?
You can apply for Maternity Allowance at 26 weeks pregnant and you can claim from 11 weeks before your baby is due. If your baby is born earlier, you can backdate the claim.
What happens if I lose the baby?
You may still qualify if your baby is stillborn from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy, or your baby is born alive at any point during your pregnancy.
Can I work while receiving Maternity Allowance?
During your Maternity Leave you can work for up to 10 days and still claim Maternity Allowance. These are known as keeping in touch (KIT) days. If you are working for an employer, you do not have to do KIT days. If you are self-employed, you can still be paid on these days.
Does Maternity Allowance affect other benefits?
If you are claiming Maternity Allowance, it may affect the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Bereavement benefits
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Council Tax Reduction
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – this will stop if you get Maternity Allowance
What other maternity benefits am I entitled to?
You may be able to share your Maternity Leave with your partner. This is known as Shared Parental Leave and you may get Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). ShPP is also £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Some employers pay contractual maternity pay instead of statutory maternity pay – your contract or company maternity policy should tell you if yours does.
What other help can I get while on maternity leave?
You may be able to claim extra help when you have your baby. Other help includes Child Tax Credit, Healthy Start vouchers and a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You may also be able to claim Child Benefit.
What is Statutory Maternity Pay?
This is the type of maternity pay that most people get. Your employer must pay you this if:
- You have worked for them in the 15th week before your baby is due and at least 26 weeks before that
- Your average pay, before tax, is at least £125 a week
How can I find out what maternity benefits I’m entitled to?
You can check your eligibility using the Gov.uk maternity entitlement calculator. You can apply for Child Benefit online as soon as your baby is born.
Summary – Maternity Allowance
Maternity Allowance is a payment for women unable to get Statutory Maternity Pay. How much you get depends on your recent work record and National Insurance contributions. You can top up NICs if you are self-employed and have not paid enough. MA is paid for 39 weeks. If you get it, you may also be eligible for other help.