If you’re not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay, you may still qualify for Maternity Allowance.

What is Maternity Allowance?

Maternity Allowance is money that can be claimed if you’re pregnant, when you’re not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay.

This might be because:

• you’re self-employed
• you haven’t been with your employer long enough (at least 26 weeks),
• you earn less that £112 a week.

You won’t be eligible for Maternity Allowance if you’re unemployed, haven’t been working, or earn less than £30 a week.

Maternity Allowance – How much do I get?

If you qualify for Maternity Allowance, the amount you will get depends on your circumstances.

You’ll get 90% of your average earnings per week for 39 weeks, up to a maximum of £139.58 if:

• you’re employed, but you can’t get Statutory Maternity Pay
• you’re self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before your baby’s due – the amount of Maternity Allowance you get depends on how much Class 2 National Insurance you’ve paid
• you have recently stopped working

In the 66 weeks before your baby’s due, you must:

• have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks
• have earned at least £30 a week over any 13-week

You’ll get £27 a week for up to 14 weeks if:

• you’re married or in a civil partnership
• you’re not employed or self-employed
• you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner
• the work you do is for the business and unpaid
• your spouse or civil partner is registered as self-employed with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and should pay Class 2 National Insurance
• your spouse or civil partner is working as self-employed person
• you’re not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay or the higher amount of Maternity Allowance (for the same pregnancy)