As a self-employed person you might be eligible to get Maternity Allowance payments for up to 39 weeks. It’s different to Statutory Maternity Pay, so in this article we’ll explain what the difference is, and who can claim what.

What is the Maternity Allowance?

The Maternity Allowance aims to offer financial stability for mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth. It can provide vital support to those who might otherwise be ineligible for other types of maternity benefits.

It’s paid by the government to pregnant people and new mothers who aren’t eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay. It’s intended to support those who are self-employed, recently employed, or who have not been with their current employer long enough to claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

Who can claim Maternity Allowance?

To qualify for Maternity Allowance, you must have been:

• Registered as self-employed for a minimum of 26 weeks in the 66 weeks leading up to your baby’s due date
• Or employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks leading up to your baby’s due date, and earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks of your employment

How much can be claimed using the Maternity Allowance?

The amount of Maternity Allowance you get depends on whether you’re employed or self-employed:

• Employed: Those who meet the eligibility criteria will receive either £187.18 per week or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
• Self-employed: The rate for self-employed people depends on your National Insurance Contributions – between £27 (if you haven’t made any contributions) and £187.18 per week. We’ll expand on this in the next section.

Why profits and National Insurance matter for the Maternity Allowance

The guidance around the Maternity Allowance is a bit confusing because it refers to making Class 2 NI contributions – but these stopped being automatic from April 2024. This doesn’t effect your entitlement, it just means the way you qualify is a bit different:

• Your profits are £6,845 or more: You’ll be considered to have paid Class 2 NI contributions automatically, even though you won’t actually pay them
• Your profits are below £6,845: You don’t have to make contributions, but you can decide to make voluntary contributions (£3.50 per week). This is usually a cheaper way to protect your full entitlement to the Maternity Allowance!

How do I claim Maternity Allowance?

You’ll need to complete the Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form, which can be downloaded from the gov.uk website. You can also get one from your local Jobcentre Plus.

When you’ve filled it out, send the form with supporting documents such as your proof of income, your baby’s due date, and details of your employment or self-employment, to the address shown on the form.

You might also need to give your partner’s income details if applicable. To make sure payments start on time, it’s recommended you apply as soon as you are 26 weeks pregnant and at least 3 months before your baby is due.

How does the Maternity Allowance compare to Statutory Maternity Pay?

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid to pregnant employees during maternity leave as long as they’re eligible. It’s usually associated with employees, but this can also mean the director of a limited company.

It can be claimed for up to 39 weeks:

• For the first 6 weeks, it works out at 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings before tax
• The next 33 weeks are paid at either 90% of their average weekly earnings, or £187.18 per week – whichever is lower. From April 2026 the weekly amount increases to £194.32.

Who can claim Statutory Maternity Pay?

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, an employee needs to have worked for the same business continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the baby’s due date. They must earn at least £125 per week (on average, before tax), as well as have proof of pregnancy like a MATB1 certificate.

If you don’t meet the criteria (for example, if you’re a sole trader or if you haven’t worked as an employee for long enough), it might be possible to claim Maternity Allowance instead.

Can you claim Statutory Maternity Pay as a company director?

Yes, a company director can claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) as long as they meet the criteria we’ve mentioned above. Again, the right amount of notice needs to be provided, as well as a medical certificate like a MATB1 form confirming the pregnancy and expected due date (yes, even if you’re the sole director and person in your company!).

You might also be eligible for other types of parental leave and statutory pay, depending on your circumstances.

How does my company reclaim Statutory Maternity Pay?

To reclaim Statutory Maternity Pay, your company can generally recover 92% of employee SMP payments through the Employer Payment Summary (EPS) that’s submitted to HMRC via payroll. You need to include the total SMP paid to an employee(s) during each pay period in your EPS. In turn, HMRC then offsets this against your National Insurance contributions.

With most of the SMP costs therefore covered by HMRC, you’ll hopefully find there’s less of a financial burden to your business. As with all things HMRC, make sure you keep detailed records and submit everything on time to HMRC, so the reimbursement process is as smooth as possible.
 

You may be able to claim other benefits too

Let’s face it, pregnancy can be tough, and you may not be able to work as much as you’d like, so it’s worth knowing what else you might be able to claim if you need to.

Although you can’t claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) as a self-employed person (because it’s only for employees), you might still be able to get some financial help if you can’t work due to illness. These options include Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit, depending on your circumstances.

Self-employed people can also take out private insurance policies, such as income protection insurance, which again can help you cover the bills if you’re unable to work for a while.

 
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