Maternity Allowance can support your income when you take time off to have a baby. Many self-employed parents rely on it. Additionally, some employees claim it when they do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
What is Maternity Allowance?
Maternity Allowance is a government benefit for people who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay through an employer. It provides financial support during pregnancy and after birth.
You can usually receive Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks. However, this does not replace Maternity Leave. Instead, it provides income during your time away from work.
Who Can Claim Maternity Allowance?
You may qualify for Maternity Allowance if you:
- Work for an employer but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay
- Run your own business as a sole trader or partner
- Recently stopped working
- Help your spouse or civil partner’s self-employed business without pay
Next, you need to check the eligibility rules. These rules use what the government calls a “test period”.
The test period covers the 66 weeks before the week your baby is due. You count backwards from your expected week of childbirth. Within that period, you check how many weeks you worked and how much you earned.
The rules offer flexibility, as for instance:
- Your 26 working weeks do not need to run together
- You can include part-time or temporary work
- You can choose your highest earning weeks when calculating pay
As a result, many people qualify even after changing jobs.
Eligibility Criteria
Most claimants must meet two conditions:
- The Work Rule
- The Earnings Rule (if qualifying through employment)
The Work Rule
During the 66-week test period, you must complete at least 26 weeks of:
- Employment
- Registered self-employment with HMRC
- A combination of both
You can include gaps between jobs and also short contracts. You may still qualify if you recently stopped working. Likewise, you can qualify after several different roles.
The Earnings Rule for Employees
If you qualify through employment, you must earn at least £30 per week in 13 weeks of the test period. The 13 weeks do not need to sit together. More importantly, you can choose the 13 weeks where you earned the most. Consequently, you may increase your weekly Maternity Allowance payment.
If You Do Unpaid Work for a Partner
You may still qualify if you helped your spouse or civil partner’s self-employed business without pay.
In this situation, you may receive up to 14 weeks of Maternity Allowance if you:
- Helped the business for at least 26 weeks in the 66-week period
- Did not have paid employment or self-employment yourself
Additionally, your spouse or civil partner must:
- Register as self-employed with HMRC
- Pay or qualify for Class 2 National Insurance Contributions
If You Lose the Baby
Maternity Allowance may still apply in difficult circumstances. You may qualify if one of the following happens:
- A stillbirth occurs from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy
- The baby is born alive at any stage of pregnancy
How Much Maternity Allowance You Can Get
Your weekly Maternity Allowance depends on your work pattern and your National Insurance record.
| If You Qualify Through Employment | You will receive the lower of 90% of your average weekly earnings or £187.18 per week (for 2025/26). From 6 April 2026, the weekly maximum increases to £194,32. |
| If You Qualify as Self-Employed | Self-employed claimants usually receive between £27 and the weekly maximum. Your Class 2 National Insurance position determines the amount. |
For example: You choose 13 strong weeks with average earnings of £160 per week. Maternity Allowance will usually pay 90% of £160. That equals £144 per week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will confirm the final amount after reviewing your evidence.
When Payments Start
You can apply once you reach 26 weeks of pregnancy. You can choose a start date between the 11th week before your baby is due and the day after the birth. If you apply late, you can usually backdate payments for up to 3 months. However, delays beyond this point may reduce your entitlement.
The DWP pays Maternity Allowance directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. You will usually receive payments every 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Your decision letter confirms the amount and payment schedule.
How to Claim Maternity Allowance
In order to claim, you will need to:
- Download and complete Form MA1 from GOV.UK or collect it from Jobcentre Plus
- Gather your supporting evidence
- Send the completed form and documents to the address shown on the form
Submit your claim around week 26 of pregnancy and at least three months before your due date.
You will usually need:
- Proof of your due date (such as an original MATB1 certificate)
- Proof of earnings (such as original payslips)
- Details of employment and self-employment during the 66-week period
- An SMP1 Form if your employer refused Statutory Maternity Pay
If you claim based on unpaid work for a partner, you may also need:
- Details of your partner’s self-employed business
- Details of the unpaid work you completed
The DWP often issues a decision within 20 working days. If approved, you will receive confirmation of your weekly amount and payment dates. If you disagree with the decision, you can request a mandatory reconsideration.
Reporting Changes While Receiving Maternity Allowance
You must report changes while you receive Maternity Allowance. This protects you from overpayments.
Report changes if you:
- Return to work (including keeping in touch days)
- Start or stop work
- Begin a new job
- Become entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay
- Return to unpaid work for a partner’s business
- Change your name, address or bank details
- Move abroad
- Enter custody
- Decide to stop claiming Maternity Allowance
If you fail to report changes promptly, the DWP may reduce or stop payments. You may also need to repay overpaid amounts. In some cases, a £50 penalty may apply.
You can complete up to 10 keeping in touch days with your employer without reducing Maternity Allowance. However, you must still report them.
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