Overview

Maternity Allowance is a payment you can get when you take time off to have a baby.

You could get it if you:

  • are employed but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
  • are self-employed
  • have recently stopped working
  • take part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner

You can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks.

You can apply for Maternity Allowance as soon as you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start any time between the 11th week before your baby is due and the day after the baby is born.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg), British Sign Language (BSL) and easy read format.

Any money you get can affect your other benefits.