Maternity Allowance vs SMP
Edited by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet. Last reviewed 23 June 2026.
Direct answer
Who claims Maternity Allowance?
194.32per week, same as SMP flat rate
Maternity Allowance is the DWP-paid alternative for people who do not qualify for SMP. The standard rate is 194.32 per week for up to 39 weeks. The most common eligibility route is the test for self-employed people: 26 weeks of employment or self-employment in the 66 weeks before the EWC, with average weekly earnings of at least 30. Employees who left their job before the qualifying week typically claim MA, not SMP.
Three eligibility routes
- Employed but cannot get SMP from your employer (e.g. AWE below LEL).
- Self-employed and paying Class 2 NI for at least 13 weeks of the 66-week test period.
- Recently employed or self-employed (worked at least 26 of the last 66 weeks).
MA rates
The standard rate is the lower of 194.32 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, paid for up to 39 weeks. Self-employed claimants who paid Class 2 NI in fewer than 13 weeks of the test period may get a lower rate of 27 per week for 14 weeks.
How to claim
Claim using form MA1 (paper or online via GOV.UK) from 26 weeks pregnant. You can claim up to 3 months before the date you want MA to start. Decisions usually arrive within 24 working days. Payments are made into your bank account every 2 or 4 weeks.
Decision card
Scheme
Statutory Maternity Pay
- You qualify if
- 26 weeks continuous service with the same employer by end of QW + AWE 125+
- You receive
- 90% AWE x 6 weeks, then 194.32 or 90% AWE x 33 weeks
- Best when
- You meet the continuous-employment test
Scheme
Maternity Allowance
- You qualify if
- Employed or self-employed for 26 of last 66 weeks with AWE 30+
- You receive
- 194.32 or 90% AWE per week for up to 39 weeks
- Best when
- You do not qualify for SMP