Guides › Public Services › Maternity Allowance: If You Cannot Get Maternity Pay
Maternity Allowance: If You Cannot Get Maternity Pay
Maternity Allowance can be paid if you are pregnant or have just had a baby and cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay from an employer. If you are employed or recently stopped working, it is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings if less, for up to 39 weeks. Self-employed people get between £27 and £194.32 a week depending on National Insurance paid.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Maternity Allowance
Employed or Recently Stopped Working
£194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is less, for up to 39 weeks. source
Self-Employed
Between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks, depending on the Class 2 National Insurance you paid in the 66 weeks before your due date. source
Unpaid Work for a Partner's Business
£27 a week for up to 14 weeks if you do unpaid work for your spouse's or civil partner's business. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 39 weeksMaximum paymentIf employed or self-employed
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check with your employer whether you can get Statutory Maternity Pay.
Step 2 of 5
If not, claim Maternity Allowance.
Step 3 of 5
Have your MAT B1 form from your midwife.
Step 4 of 5
Gather payslips or self-employed records.
Step 5 of 5
Claim Sure Start and Child Benefit too if eligible.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Mandatory Reconsideration (GOV.UK)
The first step to change a decision. Usually within one month.
Citizens Advice
Free, independent help with benefits, including challenges and appeals.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Maternity Allowance can affect Universal Credit, so report it.
Rules here are for England and Wales. Scotland has its own disability and carer benefits from Social Security Scotland, and Northern Ireland benefits are run through nidirect.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/maternity-allowance/what-youll-get Checked 16 October 2026
- gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration Checked 13 October 2026