What is Maternity Allowance?

Maternity Allowance (MA) is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — not by your employer. It is available to self-employed women, freelancers, and employed women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). Unlike SMP, MA is claimed directly from DWP, usually via Jobcentre Plus.

Who qualifies for Maternity Allowance?

You may qualify if: (1) you are self-employed and have paid Class 2 NI for at least 13 weeks in the 66 weeks before your expected week of birth; (2) you are employed but do not qualify for SMP (e.g. you haven't worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date); or (3) you recently stopped working. Your earnings must generally average at least £30/week across the best 13 of those 66 weeks.

How much is Maternity Allowance?

The standard rate of Maternity Allowance in 2026/27 is £187.18/week (the same as the SMP standard rate), paid for up to 39 weeks. Self-employed women who paid Class 2 NI but earn below the minimum threshold receive a lower rate of £27/week instead.

How does Maternity Allowance differ from SMP?

SMP is paid by your employer for up to 39 weeks (6 weeks at 90% of your earnings, then 33 weeks at the standard rate). MA is paid by DWP at a flat standard rate (or lower rate) for up to 39 weeks. MA does not include the enhanced 6-week period at 90% of earnings that SMP does. If you qualify for SMP, you cannot also claim MA for the same period.

How do I claim Maternity Allowance?

You claim MA directly from DWP — your employer is not involved. You can claim from 26 weeks pregnant (no earlier). Download form MA1 from gov.uk or request one from your local Jobcentre Plus. You'll need your SMP1 form if your employer issued one (showing you don't qualify for SMP), plus evidence of your earnings (payslips or accounts for self-employed).

Can I claim Maternity Allowance if I am self-employed?

Yes — self-employed women can claim MA if they have paid Class 2 NI contributions for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before their expected week of birth. The standard rate applies if average earnings are above the minimum threshold. If earnings are below the threshold but Class 2 NI was paid, the lower rate of £27/week applies.

Does Maternity Allowance affect tax credits or Universal Credit?

Maternity Allowance is treated as income for Universal Credit and tax credit purposes. It is not taxable income for income tax purposes. If you receive Universal Credit, notify DWP when your MA starts — it will reduce your UC payment.

Maternity Allowance Calculator 2026/27 | Self-Employed & No SMP

Maternity Allowance Calculator 2026/27

Calculate Maternity Allowance for self-employed women, freelancers, and employees who don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. MA is paid by DWP at up to £187.18/week for 39 weeks. Check eligibility and total payable for 2026/27.

Your Situation

Enter your details to check Maternity Allowance eligibility

Which applies to you?

Average Weekly Earnings*

Paid Class 2 NI for at least 13 weeks

In the 66 weeks before your expected week of birth. Required to claim MA as self-employed.

MA vs SMP at a glance

MASMP

Who paysDWPEmployer

Weeks 1–6Flat rate90% AWE

Weeks 7–39Flat rate£187.18

Self-employed✓✗

✓ Eligible — Standard Rate

Self-employed with Class 2 NI paid and earnings above the minimum threshold.

Claim directly from DWP — your employer is not involved.

Maternity Allowance Payable

£7,300.02

over 39 weeks

£187.18/week

≈ £811.11/month

How to Claim

Maternity Allowance is claimed from DWP, not your employer.

Download form MA1 from gov.uk (or request from Jobcentre Plus)
Claim from 26 weeks pregnant — no earlier
Include evidence of earnings (payslips or self-employed accounts)
If employed: include form SMP1 from your employer

MA can start from 11 weeks before your expected week of birth (or earlier if you stop work).

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Maternity Allowance: Who Gets It and How Much

Maternity Allowance is a government benefit for women who can't get Statutory Maternity Pay — most commonly self-employed women, freelancers, and employees who haven't been with their employer long enough to qualify for SMP.

Maternity Allowance Rates 2026/27

Rate	Weekly Amount	Who Gets It	Duration
Standard rate	£187.18/week	Employed (no SMP) or self-employed earning above threshold	Up to 39 weeks
Lower rate	£27/week	Self-employed who paid Class 2 NI but earn below minimum	Up to 39 weeks

Self-Employed Maternity Allowance

If you are self-employed, you qualify for MA if you paid Class 2 National Insurance for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before your expected week of birth, and your average earnings are at or above the minimum earnings threshold.

Class 2 NI is paid as part of your Self Assessment tax return. If you have paid it for 13+ weeks in the qualifying period, you are eligible. If not, you may be able to make voluntary payments to reach the threshold — contact HMRC.

Maternity Allowance vs Statutory Maternity Pay: Which Applies to You?

If you are employed and your employer has confirmed you don't qualify for SMP (they should give you form SMP1), you can claim MA instead. You cannot receive both SMP and MA for the same weeks.

The key difference: SMP starts at 90% of your salary for the first 6 weeks — which can be significantly higher than the MA flat rate. If you qualify for SMP, it is usually worth more than MA for higher earners.

Use our SMP calculator to compare — if you qualify for both, take SMP.

Planning for Maternity Leave as Self-Employed

Unlike employed workers, self-employed women do not have an employer to maintain pension contributions or accrue holiday during maternity leave. Key things to plan for:

Tax return: MA is not taxable, but you must still file a Self Assessment if you have self-employment income in the year
Class 2 NI: continues to accrue on your Self Assessment during maternity leave
Class 4 NI: not payable on MA itself — only on trading profits
Universal Credit: MA counts as income for UC — report it when it starts