Maternity Allowance is a UK benefit you can get when you take time off to have a baby and can't get Statutory Maternity Pay, including if you're self-employed. As of October 2026 it pays up to £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks, and you can claim once you've been pregnant for 26 weeks.
If you're self-employed, a freelancer or a contractor, Maternity Allowance is usually the only maternity pay you'll get, so it's worth understanding before you're pregnant. Here's what GOV.UK says about who qualifies, how much you get and how to claim.
Who can get Maternity Allowance
GOV.UK says you may get it if you're employed but can't get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you're self-employed, you've recently stopped working, or you take part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner. For the full 39 weeks, you need to have been either:
- Employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby's due, earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 of those weeks
- Registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby's due
The weeks don't have to be together, and it doesn't matter if you had different jobs or periods of unemployment. GOV.UK calls those 66 weeks the Test Period, and has a calculator to work out the dates.
How much you get
| Your situation | Weekly amount (as of October 2026) | For up to |
|---|---|---|
| Employed or recently stopped working | £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is less | 39 weeks |
| Self-employed | Between £27 and £194.32, depending on Class 2 National Insurance | 39 weeks |
| Unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner's business | £27 | 14 weeks |
Maternity Allowance is paid every 2 or 4 weeks, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account. It lasts up to 39 weeks, so if you take the full 52 weeks of maternity leave, GOV.UK points out that your final 13 weeks will be unpaid.
The Class 2 rule for self-employed mums
This is the insight every self-employed woman planning a family should know. How much you get depends on how many Class 2 National Insurance contributions you've made in the 66 weeks before your baby is due. To get the maximum, you need to have been registered with HMRC for at least 26 of those weeks and to have paid Class 2 contributions for at least 13 of them. If you've paid none, you're entitled to £27 a week.
The good news is you can fix it after you apply. GOV.UK says HMRC will contact you if you've paid less than 13 weeks, tell you how many extra contributions you need, and let you top up. As of October 2026, Class 2 contributions are £3.65 a week. Once the extra contributions are linked to your claim, your payments are increased and backdated if necessary, which can take several weeks. Paying a few weeks of Class 2 can lift you from £27 to up to £194.32 a week.
How to claim
- Wait until you've been pregnant for 26 weeks; that's the earliest you can apply.
- Get the Maternity Allowance claim form, MA1.
- Gather proof of your baby's due date, such as your MATB1 certificate or a letter from your doctor or midwife on headed paper.
- If you're employed, include original payslips, and your SMP1 form if your employer refused SMP.
- Send the form and documents, and claim within 3 months of your Maternity Allowance start date to get the full amount.
Payments can start any time between the 11th week before your baby is due and the day after the baby is born.
If you do unpaid work in your partner's business
This route is easy to overlook in family businesses. You might get Maternity Allowance for up to 14 weeks if, for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, you've taken part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner and haven't been employed or self-employed yourself. In those same 26 weeks, your spouse or civil partner must be registered as self-employed with HMRC and pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions. You'll need to include more information about their business and the unpaid work you do with your claim.
GOV.UK also says you may still qualify if you lose the baby, where the baby is stillborn from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy or born alive at any point during the pregnancy.
How it affects other benefits
- Universal Credit is reduced by an amount equal to your Maternity Allowance, though you may get an extra amount for your children.
- Jobseeker's Allowance stops if you get Maternity Allowance.
- The benefit cap may affect the total benefit you can get.
- With Maternity Allowance you get Class 1 National Insurance credits automatically, which help with other benefits and the State Pension.
GOV.UK says your total benefit payments will usually either go up or stay the same, and you must report any days you work for your employer while receiving Maternity Allowance.
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If you're self-employed, read my guide to Class 2 National Insurance before you plan your leave, and my ideas for a side hustle while on maternity leave if you want to keep some income going.
My verdict
Maternity Allowance is a lifeline for self-employed mums, but the amount isn't automatic. Check your Class 2 record early, top up if HMRC asks, claim from week 26 and get the MA1 in within three months of your start date. Do that and you can turn £27 a week into up to £194.32 a week for 39 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Maternity Allowance in 2026?
As of October 2026, up to £194.32 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings if less, for up to 39 weeks if you're employed. Self-employed amounts range from £27 to £194.32.
Can self-employed people get Maternity Allowance?
Yes, if you've been registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby's due. The amount depends on your Class 2 National Insurance.
When can I claim Maternity Allowance?
Once you've been pregnant for 26 weeks. Claim within 3 months of your start date to get the full amount.
How long is Maternity Allowance paid for?
Up to 39 weeks, or up to 14 weeks if you qualify through unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner's business.
Can I increase my Maternity Allowance?
Yes. If you've paid less than 13 weeks of Class 2 National Insurance, HMRC will tell you how many extra contributions to pay, and your payments are increased and backdated.
Does Maternity Allowance affect Universal Credit?
Yes. Universal Credit is reduced by an amount equal to your Maternity Allowance payment.
