How Much Is Maternity Allowance? UK Rates, Eligibility and How to Apply (2026 to 2027)
Maternity Allowance pays up to £194.32 a week, or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings if that figure is lower, for up to 39 weeks from 6 April 2026. The overall Maternity Allowance amount depends on employment history, since the benefit supports pregnant workers and new mothers who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
Key Takeaways
- Maternity Allowance pays up to £194.32 a week for employed claimants from 6 April 2026, or 90 per cent of earnings if lower.
- Self employed claimants get between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks, based on Class 2 National Insurance contributions.
- The MA1 claim form is available from GOV.UK and can be submitted once a claimant reaches 26 weeks of pregnancy.
How Much Is Maternity Allowance in 2026 to 2027?
From 6 April 2026, the weekly rate of Maternity Allowance rises to a maximum of £194.32, or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings, whichever amount is lower. This is a 3.8 per cent increase from the previous 2025 to 2026 rate of £187.18, in line with the annual uprating linked to the Consumer Prices Index.
The rate applies equally to employed claimants and those who have recently stopped working before the birth.
According to GOV.UK, Maternity Allowance is paid tax free every two or four weeks, direct into a bank, building society or credit union account. Figures confirmed as of April 2026 via GOV.UK and MoneyHelper.
Because Maternity Allowance is a reserved benefit administered by DWP, the same rates apply across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Claimant Type | Weekly Rate | Maximum Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Employed | £194.32, or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower | 39 weeks |
| Self employed, full contributions | £194.32, or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower | 39 weeks |
| Self employed, reduced contributions | £27 | 39 weeks |
| Unpaid work in a partner’s business | £27 | 14 weeks |
These figures reflect the confirmed 2026 to 2027 rate and hold across every UK nation, with no regional variation.
What Is the Maximum Maternity Allowance You Can Get?
The maximum Maternity Allowance is £194.32 a week, paid for up to 39 weeks. This ceiling applies regardless of how much a claimant earns, since payments are capped at 90 per cent of average weekly earnings or this maximum figure, whichever is lower.
Claimants earning roughly £216 a week or more automatically reach the maximum £194.32 rate, because 90 per cent of that income exceeds the cap. Every recipient also receives Class 1 National Insurance credits automatically, protecting their State Pension record even during weeks with no earnings.
Cross checking the calculation against actual payslips beforehand helps avoid an underestimated claim.
How Much Is Maternity Allowance for Self Employed Workers?
Self employed claimants receive between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks, and the exact figure depends on Class 2 National Insurance contributions made during the 66 week test period before the baby is due, not on income directly.
To receive the full rate, a self employed claimant needs:
- registration with HMRC for at least 26 of the 66 qualifying weeks before the due date
- Class 2 National Insurance contributions paid for at least 13 of those 66 weeks
- earnings meeting the self employed earnings threshold of £30 a week or more
A common misunderstanding is that self employed claimants automatically receive the lower reduced rate of £27. In fact, the rate depends entirely on contribution history rather than income level, which is why two claimants with identical earnings can receive different amounts.
Claimants whose profits sit above the Small Profits Threshold of £7,105 for 2026 to 2027 are treated as having paid Class 2 contributions automatically, even though the contributions themselves became voluntary from April 2024.
HMRC also accepts voluntary Class 2 payments of £3.65 a week to top up entitlement after a claim has already been submitted, with the payment backdated once those contributions are recorded against the claim.
Widely circulated claim: Some advice sites state the self employed Maternity Allowance rate as £30 to £187.18 a week.
Correct position: The confirmed rate from 6 April 2026 is £27 to £194.32 a week.
Source: GOV.UK, Maternity Allowance: What you’ll get, corroborated by MoneyHelper’s 2026 to 2027 rate table.
Maternity Allowance and Universal Credit: How Much Will You Actually Get?
Universal Credit is reduced pound for pound by the amount of Maternity Allowance received, since Maternity Allowance counts as unearned income for Universal Credit purposes.
The overall benefit total usually stays the same or increases slightly because Universal Credit may still include the Universal Credit child element regardless of Maternity Allowance.
If you are affected by the benefit cap, use a benefits calculator before claiming to confirm your true household total. Report a change in circumstances on your Universal Credit account as soon as Maternity Allowance starts, since this prevents an overpayment building up later.
Maternity Allowance Eligibility: Who Qualifies?
You may qualify for Maternity Allowance if you have worked, or been self employed, for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and earned £30 a week or more in at least 13 of those weeks.
These eligibility rules apply whether you are currently employed, self employed, or have recently stopped working.
If You’re Employed
- Confirm you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer.
- Check you meet the 26 week work test in the 66 weeks before the due date.
- Gather proof of earnings from payslips or a P60.
If You’re Self Employed or Unpaid in a Partner’s Business
- Check whether Class 2 National Insurance contributions have been paid or are treated as paid.
- Confirm registration with HMRC covers at least 26 of the 66 qualifying weeks.
- If working unpaid in a spouse or civil partner’s business, confirm at least 26 weeks of unpaid work in the same period.
Being unemployed at the time of claiming does not automatically disqualify you. For example, someone who stopped working in month four of pregnancy after meeting the 26 week test earlier in the period can still receive the full rate, since eligibility looks at the whole 66 week window rather than current status.
Maternity Allowance Calculator: Check Your Exact Amount
You can use the free maternity entitlement calculator on GOV.UK to work out your exact Maternity Allowance amount before making a claim.
The calculator asks for your average weekly earnings, employment or self employment history, and expected due date, then applies the same 90 per cent and £194.32 rules used by DWP when assessing a real claim.
Running the calculator before you apply for Maternity Allowance helps you plan finances ahead of the 39 week payment period and flags whether making voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions would increase your final rate.
Maternity Allowance Form: How to Get and Complete the MA1?
The Maternity Allowance form, known as the MA1, is available to download from GOV.UK or by request from Jobcentre Plus. Completing it correctly the first time avoids delays to your first payment.
- Download the MA1 claim form from GOV.UK or request a paper copy from Jobcentre Plus.
- Complete the employment or self employment section covering the 66 weeks before your due date.
- Attach proof of your due date, usually a MATB1 certificate from a midwife or doctor.
- Include an SMP1 form from your employer if you were told you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
- Post the completed form and evidence to the address shown on the MA1.
Submitting the Maternity Allowance form as soon as you are 26 weeks pregnant gives HMRC enough time to verify contributions before your payments are due to start.
How to Apply for Maternity Allowance?
You can apply for Maternity Allowance as soon as you reach 26 weeks of pregnancy, and payments can begin as early as 11 weeks before your due date, or automatically from the day after birth if you work right up until labour.
Applying early protects your full entitlement, since Maternity Allowance claims can normally only be backdated by three months.
If your application is refused, DWP automatically checks whether you qualify instead for Employment and Support Allowance using the same assessment, so a refused claim does not necessarily mean no support is available.
Claimants who do not qualify for either benefit may still be eligible for a one off Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500, provided they have no other children under 16 and receive a qualifying benefit.
Applying through the same claim form keeps the process straightforward, since no separate form is needed for the Employment and Support Allowance assessment.
Maternity Allowance Contact Number: Who to Call for Help?
The main Maternity Allowance enquiry line is 0800 055 6688, run by DWP for questions about an existing or new claim. Different queries are handled by different teams, so calling the right number first avoids being transferred unnecessarily.
- Maternity Allowance claims and payments: 0800 055 6688
- HMRC self employed National Insurance queries: 0300 200 3500
- General benefits guidance: MoneyHelper, 0800 011 3797
Claimants who need another Maternity Allowance form after losing the original can request one by calling the same number. Calling earlier in the day tends to mean shorter waiting times on this line.
Conclusion
How much Maternity Allowance pays depends on earnings and National Insurance contributions, with a maximum of £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks from 6 April 2026. Applying as soon as you reach 26 weeks pregnant protects the full entitlement. Maternity Allowance provides reliable weekly support for eligible new mothers throughout 2026 to 2027.
FAQ
What is the difference between Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay?
Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay are different benefits with different eligibility rules. Statutory Maternity Pay comes from an employer and requires 26 weeks of continuous employment with the same business. Maternity Allowance comes directly from DWP and covers claimants who do not meet that employer based test, including self employed workers.
Will you qualify for Maternity Allowance if you are unemployed?
Yes, in many cases. Eligibility depends on work history during the 66 weeks before the baby is due, not on current employment status. Someone who stopped working partway through pregnancy can still qualify, provided they meet the 26 week work test and earnings threshold during that period.
What happens if you do not qualify for Maternity Allowance?
DWP automatically checks eligibility for Employment and Support Allowance using the same claim form. This assessment based benefit can support claimants who fall short of the Maternity Allowance work test, so a refusal does not always mean no financial help is available.
How much can you get for maternity benefit overall?
Maternity Allowance itself pays between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks. The total amount received depends on whether Maternity Allowance is combined with a one off Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500, or with continued Universal Credit for children, both of which can raise total household support above the weekly figure alone.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice; please consult GOV.UK for official, binding guidance on benefit entitlements.
