Expecting and new mothers in the UK may be eligible to receive financial support of up to £184.03 per week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Maternity Allowance scheme. The initiative is designed to assist those who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), including self-employed individuals and those who have recently stopped working.
Who Can Claim Maternity Allowance?
Maternity Allowance is available to women who have been pregnant for at least 26 weeks and meet specific work history criteria. The payments can start as early as 11 weeks before the baby’s due date or from the day after birth.
To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following conditions within the 66 weeks before their baby’s due date :
- Worked at least 26 weeks as an employee.
- Been registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks.
- Earned at least £30 per week for at least 13 weeks (these weeks do not need to be consecutive).
Maternity Allowance provides support for a maximum of 39 weeks, meaning eligible mothers could receive a total of £7,117.17 over the full period. However, those who take a full 52-week maternity leave will not receive payments for the final 13 weeks.
Impact on Other Benefits
Receiving Maternity Allowance could affect other government benefits. Some payments may be adjusted, while others could remain unchanged. The benefits potentially affected include:
- Carer Support Payment
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) (which will stop during the Maternity Allowance period)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
- Carer’s Allowance
- Bereavement benefits
- Universal Credit
While some payments may decrease, the official guidance indicates that in many cases, the total support received will remain the same or increase.
How to Apply for Maternity Allowance
New mothers wishing to claim Maternity Allowance need to fill out the MA1 form, available for download online. Supporting documents, such as proof of income and confirmation of the baby’s due date, must be submitted along with the application.
For those uncertain about their eligibility or potential entitlements, the government provides an online maternity entitlement calculator to estimate benefits before applying.
This financial assistance aims to offer stability to mothers who are unable to claim Statutory Maternity Pay, ensuring they have some level of financial support while taking time off work to care for their newborn.
Payment Duration and Special Circumstances
Maternity Allowance provides up to 39 weeks of financial support, but those taking the full 52 weeks of maternity leave should note that the final 13 weeks will be unpaid. Additionally, eligibility does not require continuous employment, meaning the 26 weeks of work within the 66-week qualifying period do not need to be consecutive.
In cases of pregnancy loss, new mothers may still be granted if the baby was born alive at any point during the pregnancy or if the pregnancy ended in stillbirth from the 24th week onward.
For those uncertain about their eligibility, the government offers an online maternity entitlement calculator to estimate potential payments before applying.
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