If you're expecting a baby, but don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance instead. This 3-minute guide covers what Maternity Allowance is, who qualifies, how much you can get, how it works if you're self-employed, and how you can use it.
What is Maternity Allowance?
Maternity Allowance is a statutory benefit paid by the government rather than by your employer. It is usually for people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby but do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
It can apply if you are employed but do not meet the SMP rules, have recently stopped working, are self-employed, or do unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner's business.
Who qualifies for Maternity Allowance?
You may qualify for Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks if, in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, you have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks.
If you are employed, or have recently stopped working, you usually also need to have earned at least £30 a week in at least 13 of those weeks. The 13 weeks do not have to be consecutive, and they do not all need to be with the same employer.
How much is Maternity Allowance?
If you are employed or have recently stopped working, Maternity Allowance can be paid for up to 39 weeks at whichever is lower of:
- £194.32 per week, or
- 90% of your average weekly earnings.
Unlike SMP, there is no higher-paid first 6 weeks at 90% of earnings. This is one of the biggest differences between SMP and Maternity Allowance.
How does Maternity Allowance work if I'm self-employed?
If you are self-employed, you may be able to get between £27 and £194.32 per week for up to 39 weeks.
The amount depends mainly on your Class 2 National Insurance record. To receive the full standard rate, you normally need to have been registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks during the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and to have paid or been treated as having paid sufficient Class 2 National Insurance contributions.
If you have not paid enough Class 2 National Insurance, you may initially be awarded a lower amount. In some cases, HMRC may contact you after you apply and explain how to top up your contributions so you can increase your Maternity Allowance.
When can I claim Maternity Allowance?
You can usually apply once you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. Your payments can begin at any point from the 11th week before your baby is due until the day after the birth, depending on your circumstances and when you stop working.
You will normally need to provide your MAT B1 certificate and evidence of earnings, such as payslips if you are claiming based on employed work. If your employer has decided you do not qualify for SMP, they should give you an SMP1 form explaining why.
Is Maternity Allowance paid through my employer?
No. Maternity Allowance is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, not through your employer's payroll. That means it will not appear in your usual payslip in the way SMP does.
It is not subject to Income Tax or National Insurance deductions. However, it can affect other benefits. In particular, Universal Credit is reduced by an amount equal to the Maternity Allowance received, so you should not assume that the two payments will simply be added together.
What if I do unpaid work for my partner's business?
There is a lower-rate form of Maternity Allowance for some people who do unpaid work for the business of their spouse or civil partner.
You may qualify for £27 a week for up to 14 weeks if, during at least 26 of the 66 weeks before your baby is due, you regularly did unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner’s business and were not employed or self-employed yourself. Your spouse or civil partner must also meet the relevant self-employment and National Insurance conditions.
Plan your year, not just your entitlement
The practical question isn't only "do I qualify for Maternity Allowance?" It's "what does this mean for my income month by month?"
Maternity Allowance may provide up to 39 weeks of support, but it does not cover a full year away from work. If you take 52 weeks of maternity leave and Maternity Allowance is your main income, the final 13 weeks may be unpaid.
Before setting your dates, check three things:
- Whether you qualify for SMP or Maternity Allowance.
- How much Maternity Allowance you are likely to receive.
- How many unpaid weeks you can afford to include in your plan.
Then model the income impact before committing to a leave plan. The biggest risk is not misunderstanding the headline entitlement — it's underestimating the point where income drops, stops, or interacts with other benefits.
Put it into practice
Plan your leave with confidence.
Use our free planner to map out your leave and pay week by week — based on your real circumstances, your employer's policy, and current UK rules.
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