You can get the dates by using the online Test Period calculator. You enter the baby’s due date and it works out the dates you need.
You enter the baby’s due date and it works out the dates you need.
Other ways to communicate with us
If you need braille, British Sign Language, a hearing loop, translations, large print, Easy Read, audio or something else, please contact us on 0800 169 0283.
If you use Relay UK dial 18001 followed by our telephone number.
If you live in Wales and want this Test Period table in Welsh call 0800 169 0296.
About the Test Period table
You need to work out your Test Period dates before you fill in the Maternity Allowance claim form.
Your Test Period is the 66 weeks before the week the baby is due. How much Maternity Allowance you get depends on your earnings or what you are treated as earning during your Test Period. For more information see the notes that come with the claim form.
Use the online Test Period calculator
You can get your Test Period dates by using the online Test Period calculator. You enter the baby’s due date and it works out the dates you need.
If you cannot use the online calculator, you can use this Test Period table to work out your dates instead.
How to use this Test Period table
Find the week in column 1 of the table that includes the date the baby is due. Read across the line to work out your Test Period and the 15th week before the week the baby is due.
If the week you expect to have the baby is not shown in column 1 of the table, contact us and ask for a new Maternity Allowance Test Period table.
The 15th week before the week the baby is due is used to decide if you should be getting Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). This week starts on the date shown in column 4 of the table.
Example
Date the baby is due is: 5 February 2026
The week that includes the date the baby is due (column 1) is: 1 February 2026 to 7 February 2026
Your Test Period (columns 2 and 3) is: 27 October 2024 to 31 January 2026
The 15th week before the week the baby is due (column 4) starts on: 19 October 2025
Date you can claim from (column 5) is: 26 October 2025
Do not sign, date or send us your claim form before the date in column 5. If you do, it may delay your claim.
2025
August 2025
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 03/08/2025 – 09/08/2025 |
28/04/2024 |
02/08/2025 |
20/04/2025 |
27/04/2025 |
| 10/08/2025 – 16/08/2025 |
05/05/2024 |
09/08/2025 |
27/04/2025 |
04/05/2025 |
| 17/08/2025 – 23/08/2025 |
12/05/2024 |
16/08/2025 |
04/05/2025 |
11/05/2025 |
| 24/08/2025 – 30/08/2025 |
19/05/2024 |
23/08/2025 |
11/05/2025 |
18/05/2025 |
September 2025
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 31/08/2025 – 06/09/2025 |
26/05/2024 |
30/08/2025 |
18/05/2025 |
25/05/2025 |
| 07/09/2025 – 13/09/2025 |
02/06/2024 |
06/09/2025 |
25/05/2025 |
01/06/2025 |
| 14/09/2025 – 20/09/2025 |
09/06/2024 |
13/09/2025 |
01/06/2025 |
08/06/2025 |
| 21/09/2025 – 27/09/2025 |
16/06/2024 |
20/09/2025 |
08/06/2025 |
15/06/2025 |
| 28/09/2025 – 04/10/2025 |
23/06/2024 |
27/09/2025 |
15/06/2025 |
22/06/2025 |
October 2025
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 05/10/2025 – 11/10/2025 |
30/06/2024 |
04/10/2025 |
22/06/2025 |
29/06/2025 |
| 12/10/2025 – 18/10/2025 |
07/07/2024 |
11/10/2025 |
29/06/2025 |
06/07/2025 |
| 19/10/2025 – 25/10/2025 |
14/07/2024 |
18/10/2025 |
06/07/2025 |
13/07/2025 |
| 26/10/2025 – 01/11/2025 |
21/07/2024 |
25/10/2025 |
13/07/2025 |
20/07/2025 |
November 2025
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 02/11/2025 – 08/11/2025 |
28/07/2024 |
01/11/2025 |
20/07/2025 |
27/07/2025 |
| 09/11/2025 – 15/11/2025 |
04/08/2024 |
08/11/2025 |
27/07/2025 |
03/08/2025 |
| 16/11/2025 – 22/11/2025 |
11/08/2024 |
15/11/2025 |
03/08/2025 |
10/08/2025 |
| 23/11/2025 – 29/11/2025 |
18/08/2024 |
22/11/2025 |
10/08/2025 |
17/08/2025 |
December 2025
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 30/11/2025 – 06/12/2025 |
25/08/2024 |
29/11/2025 |
17/08/2025 |
24/08/2025 |
| 07/12/2025 – 13/12/2025 |
01/09/2024 |
06/12/2025 |
24/08/2025 |
31/08/2025 |
| 14/12/2025 – 20/12/2025 |
08/09/2024 |
13/12/2025 |
31/08/2025 |
07/09/2025 |
| 21/12/2025 – 27/12/2025 |
15/09/2024 |
20/12/2025 |
07/09/2025 |
14/09/2025 |
| 28/12/2025 – 03/01/2025 |
22/09/2024 |
27/12/2025 |
14/09/2025 |
21/09/2025 |
2026
January 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 04/01/2026 – 10/01/2026 |
29/09/2024 |
03/01/2026 |
21/09/2025 |
28/09/2025 |
| 11/01/2026 – 17/01/2026 |
06/10/2024 |
10/01/2026 |
28/09/2025 |
05/10/2025 |
| 18/01/2026 – 24/01/2026 |
13/10/2024 |
17/01/2026 |
05/10/2025 |
12/10/2025 |
| 25/01/2026 – 31/01/2026 |
20/10/2024 |
24/01/2026 |
12/10/2025 |
19/10/2025 |
February 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 01/02/2026 – 07/02/2026 |
27/10/2024 |
31/01/2026 |
19/10/2025 |
26/10/2025 |
| 08/02/2026 – 14/02/2026 |
03/11/2024 |
07/02/2026 |
26/10/2025 |
02/11/2025 |
| 15/02/2026 – 21/02/2026 |
10/11/2024 |
14/02/2026 |
02/11/2025 |
09/11/2025 |
| 22/02/2026 – 28/02/2026 |
17/11/2024 |
21/02/2026 |
09/11/2025 |
16/11/2025 |
March 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 01/03/2026 – 07/03/2026 |
24/11/2024 |
28/02/2026 |
16/11/2025 |
23/11/2025 |
| 08/03/2026 – 14/03/2026 |
01/12/2024 |
07/03/2026 |
23/11/2025 |
30/11/2025 |
| 15/03/2026 – 21/03/2026 |
08/12/2024 |
14/03/2026 |
30/11/2025 |
07/12/2025 |
| 22/03/2026 – 28/03/2026 |
15/12/2024 |
21/03/2026 |
07/12/2025 |
14/12/2025 |
| 29/03/2026 – 04/04/2026 |
22/12/2024 |
28/03/2026 |
14/12/2025 |
21/12/2025 |
April 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 05/04/2026 – 11/04/2026 |
29/12/2024 |
04/04/2026 |
21/12/2025 |
28/12/2025 |
| 12/04/2026 – 18/04/2026 |
05/01/2025 |
11/04/2026 |
28/12/2025 |
04/01/2026 |
| 19/04/2026 – 25/04/2026 |
12/01/2025 |
18/04/2026 |
04/01/2026 |
11/01/2026 |
| 26/04/2026 – 02/05/2026 |
19/01/2025 |
25/04/2026 |
11/01/2026 |
18/01/2026 |
May 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 03/05/2026 – 09/05/2026 |
26/01/2025 |
02/05/2026 |
18/01/2026 |
25/01/2026 |
| 10/05/2026 – 16/05/2026 |
02/02/2025 |
09/05/2026 |
25/01/2026 |
01/02/2026 |
| 17/05/2026 – 23/05/2026 |
09/02/2025 |
16/05/2026 |
01/02/2026 |
08/02/2026 |
| 24/05/2026 – 30/05/2026 |
16/02/2025 |
23/05/2026 |
08/02/2026 |
15/02/2026 |
| 31/05/2026 – 06/06/2026 |
23/02/2025 |
30/05/2026 |
15/02/2026 |
22/02/2026 |
June 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 07/06/2026 – 13/06/2026 |
02/03/2025 |
06/06/2026 |
22/02/2026 |
01/03/2026 |
| 14/06/2026 – 20/06/2026 |
09/03/2025 |
13/06/2026 |
01/03/2026 |
08/03/2026 |
| 21/06/2026 – 27/06/2026 |
16/03/2025 |
20/06/2026 |
08/03/2026 |
15/03/2026 |
| 28/06/2026 – 04/07/2026 |
23/03/2025 |
27/06/2026 |
15/03/2026 |
22/03/2026 |
July 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 05/07/2026 – 11/07/2026 |
30/03/2025 |
04/07/2026 |
22/03/2026 |
29/03/2026 |
| 12/07/2026 – 18/07/2026 |
06/04/2025 |
11/07/2026 |
29/03/2026 |
05/04/2026 |
| 19/07/2026 – 25/07/2026 |
13/04/2025 |
18/07/2026 |
05/04/2026 |
12/04/2026 |
| 26/07/2026 – 01/08/2026 |
20/04/2025 |
25/07/2026 |
12/04/2026 |
19/04/2026 |
August 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 02/08/2026 – 08/08/2026 |
27/04/2025 |
01/08/2026 |
19/04/2026 |
26/04/2026 |
| 09/08/2026 – 15/08/2026 |
04/05/2025 |
08/08/2026 |
26/04/2026 |
03/05/2026 |
| 16/08/2026 – 22/08/2026 |
11/05/2025 |
15/08/2026 |
03/05/2026 |
10/05/2026 |
| 23/08/2026 – 29/08/2026 |
18/05/2025 |
22/08/2026 |
10/05/2026 |
17/05/2026 |
| 30/08/2026 – 05/09/2026 |
25/05/2025 |
29/08/2026 |
17/05/2026 |
24/05/2026 |
September 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 06/09/2026 – 12/09/2026 |
01/06/2025 |
05/09/2026 |
24/05/2026 |
31/05/2026 |
| 13/09/2026 – 19/09/2026 |
08/06/2025 |
12/09/2026 |
31/05/2026 |
07/06/2026 |
| 20/09/2026 – 26/09/2026 |
15/06/2025 |
19/09/2026 |
07/06/2026 |
14/06/2026 |
| 27/09/2026 – 03/10/2026 |
22/06/2025 |
26/09/2026 |
14/06/2026 |
21/06/2026 |
October 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 04/10/2026 – 10/10/2026 |
29/06/2025 |
03/10/2026 |
21/06/2026 |
28/06/2026 |
| 11/10/2026 – 17/10/2026 |
06/07/2025 |
10/10/2026 |
28/06/2026 |
05/07/2026 |
| 18/10/2026 – 24/10/2026 |
13/07/2025 |
17/10/2026 |
05/07/2026 |
12/07/2026 |
| 25/10/2026 – 31/10/2026 |
20/07/2025 |
24/10/2026 |
12/07/2026 |
19/07/2026 |
November 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 01/11/2026 – 07/11/2026 |
27/07/2025 |
31/10/2026 |
19/07/2026 |
26/07/2026 |
| 08/11/2026 – 14/11/2026 |
03/08/2025 |
07/11/2026 |
26/07/2026 |
02/08/2026 |
| 15/11/2026 – 21/11/2026 |
10/08/2025 |
14/11/2026 |
02/08/2026 |
09/08/2026 |
| 22/11/2026 – 28/11/2026 |
17/08/2025 |
21/11/2026 |
09/08/2026 |
16/08/2026 |
| 29/11/2026 – 05/12/2026 |
24/08/2025 |
28/11/2026 |
16/08/2026 |
23/08/2026 |
December 2026
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 06/12/2026 – 12/12/2026 |
31/08/2025 |
05/12/2026 |
23/08/2026 |
30/08/2026 |
| 13/12/2026 – 19/12/2026 |
07/09/2025 |
12/12/2026 |
30/08/2026 |
06/09/2026 |
| 20/12/2026 – 26/12/2026 |
14/09/2025 |
19/12/2026 |
06/09/2026 |
13/09/2026 |
| 27/12/2026 – 02/01/2027 |
21/09/2025 |
26/12/2026 |
13/09/2026 |
20/09/2026 |
2027
January 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 03/01/2027 – 09/01/2027 |
28/09/2025 |
02/01/2027 |
20/09/2026 |
27/09/2026 |
| 10/01/2027 – 16/01/2027 |
05/10/2025 |
09/01/2027 |
27/09/2026 |
04/10/2026 |
| 17/01/2027 – 23/01/2027 |
12/10/2025 |
16/01/2027 |
04/10/2026 |
11/10/2026 |
| 24/01/2027 – 30/01/2027 |
19/10/2025 |
23/01/2027 |
11/10/2026 |
18/10/2026 |
| 31/01/2027 – 06/02/2027 |
26/10/2025 |
30/01/2027 |
18/10/2026 |
25/10/2026 |
February 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 07/02/2027 – 13/02/2027 |
02/11/2025 |
06/02/2027 |
25/10/2026 |
01/11/2026 |
| 14/02/2027 – 20/02/2027 |
09/11/2025 |
13/02/2027 |
01/11/2026 |
08/11/2026 |
| 21/02/2027 – 27/02/2027 |
16/11/2025 |
20/02/2027 |
08/11/2026 |
15/11/2026 |
| 28/02/2027 – 06/03/2027 |
23/11/2025 |
27/02/2027 |
15/11/2026 |
22/11/2026 |
March 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 07/03/2027 – 13/03/2027 |
30/11/2025 |
06/03/2027 |
22/11/2026 |
29/11/2026 |
| 14/03/2027 – 20/03/2027 |
07/12/2025 |
13/03/2027 |
29/11/2026 |
06/12/2026 |
| 21/03/2027 – 27/03/2027 |
14/12/2025 |
20/03/2027 |
06/12/2026 |
13/12/2026 |
| 28/03/2027 – 03/04/2027 |
21/12/2025 |
27/03/2027 |
13/12/2026 |
20/12/2026 |
April 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 04/04/2027 – 10/04/2027 |
28/12/2025 |
03/04/2027 |
20/12/2026 |
27/12/2026 |
| 11/04/2027 – 17/04/2027 |
04/01/2026 |
10/04/2027 |
27/12/2026 |
03/01/2027 |
| 18/04/2027 – 24/04/2027 |
11/01/2026 |
17/04/2027 |
03/01/2027 |
10/01/2027 |
| 25/04/2027 – 01/05/2027 |
18/01/2026 |
24/04/2027 |
10/01/2027 |
17/01/2027 |
May 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 02/05/2027 – 08/05/2027 |
25/01/2026 |
01/05/2027 |
17/01/2027 |
24/01/2027 |
| 09/05/2027 – 15/05/2027 |
01/02/2026 |
08/05/2027 |
24/01/2027 |
31/01/2027 |
| 16/05/2027 – 22/05/2027 |
08/02/2026 |
15/05/2027 |
31/01/2027 |
07/02/2027 |
| 23/05/2027 – 29/05/2027 |
15/02/2026 |
22/05/2027 |
07/02/2027 |
14/02/2027 |
| 30/05/2027 – 05/06/2027 |
22/02/2026 |
29/05/2027 |
14/02/2027 |
21/02/2027 |
June 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 06/06/2027 – 12/06/2027 |
01/03/2026 |
05/06/2027 |
21/02/2027 |
28/02/2027 |
| 13/06/2027 – 19/06/2027 |
08/03/2026 |
12/06/2027 |
28/02/2027 |
07/03/2027 |
| 20/06/2027 – 26/06/2027 |
15/03/2026 |
19/06/2027 |
07/03/2027 |
14/03/2027 |
| 27/06/2027 – 03/07/2027 |
22/03/2026 |
26/06/2027 |
14/03/2027 |
21/03/2027 |
July 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 04/07/2027 – 10/07/2027 |
29/03/2026 |
03/07/2027 |
21/03/2027 |
28/03/2027 |
| 11/07/2027 – 17/07/2027 |
05/04/2026 |
10/07/2027 |
28/03/2027 |
04/04/2027 |
| 18/07/2027 – 24/07/2027 |
12/04/2026 |
17/07/2027 |
04/04/2027 |
11/04/2027 |
| 25/07/2027 – 31/07/2027 |
19/04/2026 |
24/07/2027 |
11/04/2027 |
18/04/2027 |
August 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 01/08/2027 – 07/08/2027 |
26/04/2026 |
31/07/2027 |
18/04/2027 |
25/04/2027 |
| 08/08/2027 – 14/08/2027 |
03/05/2026 |
07/08/2027 |
25/04/2027 |
02/05/2027 |
| 15/08/2027 – 21/08/2027 |
10/05/2026 |
14/08/2027 |
02/05/2027 |
09/05/2027 |
| 22/08/2027 – 28/08/2027 |
17/05/2026 |
21/08/2027 |
09/05/2027 |
16/05/2027 |
| 29/08/2027 – 04/09/2027 |
24/05/2026 |
28/08/2027 |
16/05/2027 |
23/05/2027 |
September 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 05/09/2027 – 11/09/2027 |
31/05/2026 |
04/09/2027 |
23/05/2027 |
30/05/2027 |
| 12/09/2027 – 18/09/2027 |
07/06/2026 |
11/09/2027 |
30/05/2027 |
06/06/2027 |
| 19/09/2027 – 25/09/2027 |
14/06/2026 |
18/09/2027 |
06/06/2027 |
13/06/2027 |
| 26/09/2027 – 02/10/2027 |
21/06/2026 |
25/09/2027 |
13/06/2027 |
20/06/2027 |
October 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 03/10/2027 – 09/10/2027 |
28/06/2026 |
02/10/2027 |
20/06/2027 |
27/06/2027 |
| 10/10/2027 – 16/10/2027 |
05/07/2026 |
09/10/2027 |
27/06/2027 |
04/07/2027 |
| 17/10/2027 – 23/10/2027 |
12/07/2026 |
16/10/2027 |
04/07/2027 |
11/07/2027 |
| 24/10/2027 – 30/10/2027 |
19/07/2026 |
23/10/2027 |
11/07/2027 |
18/07/2027 |
| 31/10/2027 – 06/11/2027 |
26/07/2026 |
30/10/2027 |
18/07/2027 |
25/07/2027 |
November 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 07/11/2027 – 13/11/2027 |
02/08/2026 |
06/11/2027 |
25/07/2027 |
01/08/2027 |
| 14/11/2027 – 20/11/2027 |
09/08/2026 |
13/11/2027 |
01/08/2027 |
08/08/2027 |
| 21/11/2027 – 27/11/2027 |
16/08/2026 |
20/11/2027 |
08/08/2027 |
15/08/2027 |
| 28/11/2027 – 04/12/2027 |
23/08/2026 |
27/11/2027 |
15/08/2027 |
22/08/2027 |
December 2027
| 1: The week that includes the date the baby is due |
2: The first day of your Test Period |
3: The last day of your Test Period |
4: The 15th week before the week the baby is due starts on |
5: The date you can claim from |
| 05/12/2027 – 11/12/2027 |
30/08/2026 |
04/12/2027 |
22/08/2027 |
29/08/2027 |
| 12/12/2027 – 18/12/2027 |
06/09/2026 |
11/12/2027 |
29/08/2027 |
05/09/2027 |
| 19/12/2027 – 25/12/2027 |
13/09/2026 |
18/12/2027 |
05/09/2027 |
12/09/2027 |
| 26/12/2027 – 01/01/2028 |
20/09/2026 |
25/12/2027 |
12/09/2027 |
19/09/2027 |
