Can I get Maternity Allowance?

For pregnant people who are self-employed or employed but ineligible for Statutory Maternity Pay.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

You could get Maternity Allowance if you're employed but can't get Statutory Maternity Pay, self-employed, have recently stopped working, or do unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner's business.

It's paid for up to 39 weeks.
Apply once you've been pregnant for 26 weeks.
Payments can start from 11 weeks before your due date.
It can affect your other benefits.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to 39 weeks
Apply from 26 weeks pregnant
For self-employed too

Maternity Allowance in 2026/27

Item	Figure
Weekly amount	£194.32, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is less
How long	Up to 39 weeks
Earnings test	Earning at least £30 a week in any 13 weeks

In 2025/26 the weekly amount was £187.18.

Who it is for

Maternity Allowance is paid by the government (not your employer). It is usually for people who cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay, for example because they:

are self-employed
recently changed jobs or stopped working
earn less than the £129 a week needed for Statutory Maternity Pay

The main conditions

You can usually get the full amount if, in the 66 weeks before your baby is due:

you were employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks (they do not need to be in a row), and
you earned at least £30 a week in any 13 of those weeks (they can be added together)

Self-employed people can qualify too. How much you get can depend on your National Insurance record.

There is also a lower amount for some people who help their self-employed spouse or civil partner in their business without being paid.

Worked example

If you earn £180 a week on average, 90% is £162. As that is less than £194.32, you would get £162 a week. Over 39 weeks that is £6,318.

How to claim

Use form MA1, available on GOV.UK. You can claim once you have been pregnant for 26 weeks, and payments can start up to 11 weeks before your due date. Send proof of pregnancy (form MATB1) and proof of your earnings.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Rates are from the Department for Work and Pensions' official Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027. Rates usually change every April.

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for Maternity Allowance

Common questions

How much is Maternity Allowance?

If you are employed or recently stopped working, you get £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is less, for up to 39 weeks.

Can I get Maternity Allowance if I'm self-employed?

Yes, you can get between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks, depending on the Class 2 National Insurance contributions you have paid.

How much do I need to earn to get Maternity Allowance?

You need to have worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, earning £30 a week or more in at least 13 of those weeks.

How do I claim Maternity Allowance?

Fill in the MA1 claim form and send it with your payslips and proof of your due date, such as a MATB1 certificate. You should get a decision within 20 working days.

Official sources

1.Maternity Allowancewww.gov.uk/maternity-allowance
2.Maternity Allowance: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility
3.Maternity Allowance: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/what-youll-get
4.Maternity Allowance: how to claimwww.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/how-to-claim

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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