Maternity Allowance: Who Qualifies and How Much You'll Get

What is Maternity Allowance?

Maternity Allowance (MA) is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to pregnant women who don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. It's designed as a safety net for:

•Self-employed women

•Women who've recently changed jobs

•Women who've stopped working

•Those who don't earn enough for SMP

How Does Maternity Allowance Differ from SMP?

Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) are both designed to support you financially during maternity leave, but there are important differences you should understand.

Who pays: SMP is paid by your employer (who reclaims it from HMRC), while Maternity Allowance is paid directly by the DWP.

Higher-rate period: With SMP, you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks. Maternity Allowance does not have this higher-rate period — it is paid at a flat rate throughout all 39 weeks.

Rate of pay: Both benefits pay up to £194.32 per week at the standard rate for 2026/27. With MA, you receive the lower of 90% of your average weekly earnings or £194.32 per week for the full duration.

Tax treatment: SMP is treated as earnings and is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance. Maternity Allowance is not taxable, which can be a significant advantage — you keep the full amount. Read our guide on whether maternity pay is taxed for more details.

Use our SMP vs Maternity Allowance comparison tool to see which benefit applies to your situation.

Eligibility for Maternity Allowance

You may qualify if you've been:

Route 1: Employed or Self-Employed

•Employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date (these weeks don't need to be consecutive)

•Earning at least £30 per week in any 13 of those weeks

Route 2: Helping Your Partner

•You've been helping your self-employed spouse or civil partner with their business for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date

•You receive a lower rate of £27 per week for 14 weeks

How Much is Maternity Allowance?

The standard rate is the lower of:

•90% of your average weekly earnings

•£194.32 per week (2026/27 rate)

Use our Maternity Allowance Calculator to work out your exact entitlement based on your earnings.

For the full 39 weeks at the maximum rate, your total Maternity Allowance would be £7,578.48. If your average weekly earnings are below £215.91, your MA will be 90% of your earnings rather than the maximum rate.

When Does Maternity Allowance Start and End?

You can start receiving Maternity Allowance from the 11th week before your expected due date at the earliest. The latest it can start is the day after your baby is born.

You choose your start date when you apply. Unlike SMP, there is no automatic trigger if you are off sick before your due date — your MA start date remains as you requested. Maternity Allowance is paid for a maximum of 39 weeks from your chosen start date.

Use our Maternity Leave Planner to work out your key dates, including the earliest date you could start receiving MA. For guidance on choosing the right time, read our guide on when to start maternity leave.

How to Claim Maternity Allowance

1.Get form MA1 — download it from GOV.UK or pick one up from your local Jobcentre Plus

2.Gather your evidence — you will need your MATB1 certificate (from your midwife or doctor, usually issued around week 20), recent payslips or proof of self-employment earnings, and your SMP1 form if your employer has confirmed you don't qualify for SMP

3.Complete the form with your employment history and earnings details for the relevant 66-week period

4.Apply from week 26 of your pregnancy — you can submit your claim as soon as you reach 26 weeks pregnant

5.Wait for a decision — claims typically take up to 24 working days to process

Make sure you apply early to avoid delays. If your claim is rejected, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

Maternity Allowance for Self-Employed Women

If you are self-employed, Maternity Allowance is likely your main source of maternity income, as self-employed women do not qualify for SMP. To claim, you will usually need to show that you have been registered as self-employed and paying Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

Your MA rate is based on your self-employed earnings. If your profits are low, you may receive less than the maximum £194.32 per week rate. Read our detailed guide on maternity pay for the self-employed for more information on how your earnings are assessed and what evidence you need to provide.

Maternity Allowance and Other Benefits

Maternity Allowance is not taxable, which is a significant advantage over SMP. However, it may affect your entitlement to other means-tested benefits:

•Universal Credit — MA is counted as income, which may reduce your UC payments. See our guide on benefits during maternity leave.

•Housing Benefit — MA may affect the amount you receive

•Council Tax Reduction — your local authority will take MA into account when calculating your entitlement

•Sure Start Maternity Grant — you can still apply for this one-off £500 payment if you are on qualifying benefits and expecting your first child

If you are on a low income, check whether you are eligible for Universal Credit alongside your Maternity Allowance.

Can You Work While Receiving Maternity Allowance?

Yes! You are allowed up to 10 Keeping in Touch (KIT) days without losing your Maternity Allowance. These days let you attend training sessions, come in for important meetings, or ease your transition back to work. Read our guide on Keeping in Touch days explained for more details on how KIT days work.

If you do any work beyond your 10 KIT days, you will lose your MA for each additional week in which you work.

Financial Planning on Maternity Allowance

Because Maternity Allowance does not include a higher-rate period like SMP, your income drops to the flat rate from week one. It is important to start planning your finances well before your maternity leave begins.

Consider building a savings buffer before your leave starts, and make sure you have claimed all the benefits you are entitled to, including Child Benefit. Use our Take-Home Pay Calculator to understand your overall household income during maternity leave and read our guide on how much does a baby cost in the UK to budget for your new arrival.

Further Resources

•Maternity Allowance Calculator — check your exact entitlement

•SMP vs Maternity Allowance Comparison — see which benefit you qualify for

•Maternity Pay Calculator — calculate your SMP if you think you might qualify

•Your Maternity Leave Rights — understand your full legal entitlement

•Financial Planning for Maternity Leave — budgeting tips and strategies

•Returning to Work After Maternity Leave — plan your return