Maternity Allowance is a payment from the Department for Work and Pensions for people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby and do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from an employer. From 6 April 2026, it pays up to £194.32 per week for 39 weeks. It is tax-free. You can claim it whether you are employed, self-employed, recently unemployed, or have recently stopped working.
If your employer has rejected your SMP claim and issued you with an SMP1 form, Maternity Allowance is what you claim instead — and that SMP1 form goes with your application to DWP.
Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay — which one applies to you
The two schemes are mutually exclusive for the same pregnancy. SMP is paid by your employer if you are employed, have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks before your qualifying week, and earn at least £129 per week on average. Maternity Allowance is paid by DWP when SMP does not apply — because you are self-employed, you have not worked for your employer long enough, your earnings fall below the threshold, or your employment ended before you claimed.
| Your situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Employed, 26+ weeks with same employer, earning £129+ per week | SMP — claim through your employer |
| Employed, but worked fewer than 26 weeks or earn below £129/week | Maternity Allowance |
| Self-employed | Maternity Allowance |
| Recently left work or made redundant | Maternity Allowance (if you meet the test period conditions) |
| Not worked at all during the test period | Neither — check Universal Credit |
If SMP applies to your situation, see the full guide to Statutory Maternity Pay – GOVexplained at /family-and-childcare/childcare-and-parenting/statutory-maternity-pay/ for rates, eligibility and how to claim from your employer.
Who qualifies for Maternity Allowance
The test period
The test period is the 66 weeks before your expected week of childbirth. DWP looks at everything you did within those 66 weeks to assess whether you qualify. It does not matter if you had breaks in work, changed jobs, or mixed employed and self-employed work during that time — what matters is the totals across the whole period.
You can find your expected week of childbirth on your MATB1 certificate, which your midwife or GP will issue from around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The two qualifying conditions
To be eligible for Maternity Allowance you must meet both of the following:
- You were employed or self-employed for at least 26 of the 66 weeks in the test period.
- You earned at least £30 per week on average for at least 13 of those weeks.
The 13 earning weeks do not need to be consecutive. They do not need to overlap with your 26 weeks of work. DWP uses your best 13 weeks of earnings from across the entire test period to calculate your rate — if your earnings varied, this works in your favour.
Who counts as employed for this purpose
The eligibility rules are broader than many people expect. You can qualify through employed work, self-employment, agency work, zero-hours contract work, and work across multiple employers. If you recently left a job, were made redundant, or finished a contract, those weeks of work still count in your test period as long as you earned at least £30 per week during them.
If you are not working at all
If you have not worked or been self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the test period, you will not qualify for Maternity Allowance. This can happen if you have been out of work for most of the test period, or if you gave up work long before becoming pregnant. In this situation, Universal Credit may be available depending on your household income and circumstances.
Immigration status and public funds
Maternity Allowance is not listed as a public fund under the Immigration Rules. A No Recourse to Public Funds condition does not automatically bar a claim. However, whether a specific claim would affect your immigration status depends on your individual leave conditions, and the position can be complex. If you have an NRPF condition, seek immigration advice before applying.
How much Maternity Allowance you’ll get in 2026/27
The amount you receive depends on your average weekly earnings during the test period and, for self-employed claimants, your Class 2 National Insurance record.
| Your situation | Weekly rate from 6 April 2026 | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Employed or recently employed, average earnings £194.32/week or above | £194.32 | 39 weeks |
| Employed or recently employed, average earnings below £194.32/week | 90% of average weekly earnings | 39 weeks |
| Self-employed with sufficient Class 2 NI contributions | £194.32 | 39 weeks |
| Self-employed without sufficient Class 2 NI contributions | £27 | 39 weeks |
The standard rate of £194.32 represents a rise from £187.18 in 2025/26, uprated by 3.8% from 6 April 2026.
How DWP calculates your rate
DWP adds together your gross earnings from the 13 highest-earning weeks in your test period and divides by 13 to get your average weekly earnings. If that figure is £194.32 or above, you receive the standard rate. If it is below £194.32, you receive 90% of that figure, rounded to the nearest penny. You do not choose which 13 weeks DWP uses — they always take your best 13.
For employed claimants, DWP will ask for payslips to verify your earnings. For self-employed claimants, DWP checks your National Insurance record directly.
To give a concrete example: Sarah worked part-time throughout her test period. Her 13 best weeks of earnings total £2,080, giving an average of £160 per week. Her MA rate is 90% of £160 = £144 per week for 39 weeks, a total of £5,616 paid over the claim period.
When and how payments are made
Payments go directly into your bank, building society, or credit union account every two or four weeks. The earliest your payments can start is 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth. You choose your start date when you apply, within these limits.
Maternity Allowance if you’re self-employed
Class 2 National Insurance and your rate
Whether you receive the standard rate or the £27 reduced rate depends on your Class 2 National Insurance record for the test period. You need to have paid, or be treated as having paid, Class 2 NI for at least 13 of the 66 test weeks.
From April 2024, if your self-employed profits meet or exceed the Small Profits Threshold — set at £7,105 for 2026/27 — you are treated as having paid Class 2 NI automatically without making a payment. If your profits fall below this threshold, you are not treated as having paid, and you will need to make voluntary Class 2 contributions to access the standard rate.
Voluntary Class 2 contributions
You do not need to pay voluntary contributions upfront. When DWP receives your MA claim and identifies a shortfall in Class 2 contributions, HMRC will contact you separately with an opportunity to make voluntary payments. Once those payments are made, your rate increases to the standard £194.32. If you choose not to pay, or cannot afford to, your rate stays at £27 for the full 39 weeks. You can make voluntary payments later if you want to protect your State Pension record, even after your MA has ended.
What you need when applying
You will need to show proof of self-employment. This can include a copy of your HMRC registration, your Unique Taxpayer Reference, invoices, or tax returns. DWP will verify your NI record separately — you do not need to send NI records yourself.
If you pay yourself through a limited company
HMRC may classify you as employed rather than self-employed for tax purposes if you pay yourself a salary through your company. This can happen if you operate through a personal service company. In that case, you may qualify for SMP rather than MA. Check your employment status for tax — GOV.UK at before applying, as claiming the wrong one can cause delays.
Keeping in touch days
You can do up to 10 keeping in touch days of self-employed work during your MA payment period without losing your entitlement. Any employed work during the period could affect your MA if an employer begins paying you SMP. Report changes in your work situation to DWP promptly.
Is Maternity Allowance taxable
Maternity Allowance is tax-free. It is not subject to Income Tax or National Insurance and does not need to be included in a Self Assessment tax return. DWP reports MA payments directly to HMRC — you do not need to inform HMRC yourself unless specifically asked to do so.
This is a meaningful difference from Statutory Maternity Pay, which is paid through your employer’s payroll and subject to income tax and National Insurance deductions in the same way as normal wages. If you are comparing what you would receive under each scheme, the tax-free status of MA is a relevant factor.
How Maternity Allowance affects other benefits
Universal Credit
Maternity Allowance counts as income for Universal Credit purposes. For the assessment period in which you receive MA, DWP will reduce your UC award by the same amount. Your housing cost element and child elements continue as normal. You do not need to close your UC claim or reapply when MA starts. Report your MA start date and weekly amount through your UC journal so your award can be adjusted correctly. After your MA ends, your UC award returns to its normal level without you needing to contact DWP.
Housing Benefit
Maternity Allowance is treated as income for Housing Benefit purposes and may reduce your award for the period you receive it. Your local council is notified automatically when your MA claim starts, but you should also inform them directly of any change in your income, as automatic notification can sometimes be delayed.
Employment and Support Allowance
You cannot receive Maternity Allowance and contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance at the same time. If you are already receiving ESA when your MA starts, MA replaces it during the payment period. Once your MA ends, contact DWP to restart your ESA claim if you remain eligible — this does not happen automatically.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is fully compatible with Maternity Allowance. Apply as soon as your baby’s birth is registered — your MA payments are unaffected. The two are paid separately by different government departments.
Is Maternity Allowance a public fund
Maternity Allowance is not listed as a public fund under the Immigration Rules. This matters for people with a No Recourse to Public Funds condition on their visa who are concerned that claiming MA might affect their immigration status. However, because the position depends on individual leave conditions and can be complex, anyone in this situation should take immigration advice before applying.
How to apply for Maternity Allowance
- You can apply from 26 weeks of pregnancy. The earliest your payments can start is 11 weeks before your due date — applying early avoids processing delays.
- Download the MA1 claim form from GOV.UK or request a paper copy by calling the Maternity Allowance helpline on 0800 169 0283.
- Complete the form by hand and post it to: Freepost DWP Maternity Allowance. No stamp is needed.
- Include your MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor as proof of your due date.
- If your employer rejected you for SMP, include the SMP1 form they gave you.
- If you are employed, include payslips from your best 13 earning weeks in the test period — 13 payslips if you are paid weekly, or 4 if paid monthly.
- If you are self-employed, you do not need to send payslips. Include proof of self-employment such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference, invoices, or tax returns. DWP checks your NI record directly.
- DWP will confirm your entitlement by letter. Payments go into your bank account every two or four weeks.
Backdating your claim
Maternity Allowance can be backdated by up to three months if you met the eligibility conditions throughout that period. Backdating is not automatic — you need to indicate on your claim form that you want your payments backdated and specify the date from which you are requesting them. If you delay applying for more than three months after your baby is born, you may lose some payment weeks permanently.
If your claim is refused
You can request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter. If the reconsideration upholds the refusal, you can appeal to a First-tier Tribunal. The Maternity Allowance helpline on 0800 169 0283 can advise on how to request a reconsideration and what evidence to include.
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to Maternity Allowance if I’m unemployed?
It depends on what you were doing in the 66 weeks before your due date. If you worked or were self-employed for at least 26 of those weeks and earned at least £30 per week for 13 of them, you can qualify even if you are not currently employed. If you have not worked at all during the test period, you will not qualify for MA — Universal Credit may be available instead depending on your circumstances.
How is the 66-week test period calculated?
Count back 66 weeks from the Sunday before your expected week of childbirth. Everything you did during those 66 weeks — all employment, self-employment, agency work, and zero-hours work — counts toward your qualifying total. You can find your expected week of childbirth on your MATB1 certificate.
Can I claim Maternity Allowance if I’ve just started a new job?
Yes, if your work history across the full 66-week test period adds up to at least 26 weeks and you earned at least £30 per week for 13 of those weeks. Your new job contributes to the total alongside any previous employment in the period. You are not required to have been with one employer for any specific duration.
What is the difference between Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay?
SMP is paid by your employer if you are employed, have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks before your qualifying week, and earn at least £129 per week. MA is paid by DWP when SMP does not apply — usually because you are self-employed, recently changed employer, or earn below the SMP threshold. SMP is taxable; MA is tax-free. Both pay up to £194.32 per week for 39 weeks from April 2026.
Can I get Maternity Allowance and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes, but MA counts as income for Universal Credit, so your UC award will be reduced by the amount of MA you receive in each assessment period. Your housing and child elements continue. You do not need to close your UC claim. Report your MA start date through your UC journal.
How long does Maternity Allowance take to process?
DWP does not publish a guaranteed processing time, but most claims are decided within a few weeks of receiving the completed form and supporting documents. Applying early — from 26 weeks of pregnancy — gives the most time to resolve any issues before payments need to start.
What happens if I go back to work while receiving Maternity Allowance?
You can do up to 10 keeping in touch days of work without losing your MA. Working more than 10 KIT days will end your MA entitlement for any week in which you exceed this. If you return to work permanently, your MA stops. Report any return to work to DWP promptly to avoid overpayments.
Can I get Maternity Allowance if I have no recourse to public funds?
Maternity Allowance is not listed as a public fund under the Immigration Rules, so an NRPF condition does not automatically bar a claim. However, whether claiming MA would affect your specific leave to remain depends on your individual immigration conditions. Take immigration advice before applying if you have an NRPF condition on your visa.
Next Steps
- Statutory Maternity Pay explained – GOVexplained
- Universal Credit – GOVexplained
- Child Benefit – GOVexplained