What is Maternity Allowance and who may be eligible?
Maternity Allowance is a benefit for pregnant women who cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from an employer. You may be eligible if you are employed but do not qualify for SMP (for example, because you have not worked for your employer long enough), if you are self-employed, or if you have recently stopped working. It provides up to £184.03 per week for up to 39 weeks. To qualify, the requirement is to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby's due date (the "test period"). The 26 weeks do not need to be consecutive — any 26 weeks within that 66-week period count. The earnings threshold is at least £30 per week in at least 13 of those weeks. Maternity Allowance is paid at the lower of £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. If you are self-employed and have been paying Class 2 National Insurance contributions, you typically receive a flat rate of £27 per week. The payment starts from 11 weeks before your due date at the earliest, or from the day after you stop work — whichever is later.
How to claim: the MA1 form
You can claim Maternity Allowance from 26 weeks of pregnancy onwards. Complete form MA1, which is available from GOV.UK, your local Jobcentre Plus, or by calling the Maternity Allowance helpline on 0800 055 6688. You can also apply online through GOV.UK. You will need your SMP1 form (if your employer has confirmed you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay), your MATB1 certificate (the maternity certificate from your midwife or GP, usually issued from 20 weeks of pregnancy), details of your recent employment and earnings, and your bank account details. If you are employed, you will also need payslips or other evidence of your earnings during the test period. If you are self-employed, you will need evidence of your self-employment (such as tax returns, business accounts, or invoices) and proof that you have been paying Class 2 National Insurance contributions. Submit your claim as early as possible — you can claim from week 26 of pregnancy, and the DWP recommends allowing plenty of time for processing before your planned start date.
Maternity Allowance vs Statutory Maternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance are different benefits with different eligibility rules. SMP is paid by your employer if you have worked for them continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date and earn at least £123 per week on average. SMP is paid at 90% of your average earnings for the first 6 weeks, then at the lower of £184.03 per week or 90% of earnings for the remaining 33 weeks. Maternity Allowance is the alternative for those who do not qualify for SMP. It is paid by the DWP rather than your employer. The key difference is that Maternity Allowance requires 26 weeks of employment in a 66-week period (not continuous employment with one employer), making it accessible to people who have changed jobs, had breaks in employment, or are self-employed. If you are unsure whether you qualify for SMP or Maternity Allowance, ask your employer first. They must give you a decision on SMP by the end of the 15th week before your due date. If they confirm you do not qualify (by issuing an SMP1 form), use this to support your Maternity Allowance claim. You cannot receive both SMP and Maternity Allowance for the same pregnancy.
Other support during pregnancy and early parenthood
In addition to Maternity Allowance, you may be eligible for other forms of support during pregnancy and early parenthood. The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to help with the costs of a new baby — you may be eligible if you receive certain benefits and this is your first child (or you are expecting a multiple birth). If you receive Maternity Allowance, this counts as income for Universal Credit purposes — meaning your Universal Credit payment may reduce. However, you may also qualify for additional Universal Credit elements, such as the child element once the baby is born. If your partner is employed, they may be eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay or Shared Parental Pay. Child Benefit can be claimed as soon as you have registered your baby's birth. If you are on a low income, you may also qualify for Healthy Start vouchers (a prepaid card for milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula), free NHS prescriptions (all pregnant women and new mothers up to 12 months after birth are entitled to free prescriptions), and free dental treatment during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth. Your midwife or health visitor can provide information about local support services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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