Maternity Allowance

What is it?

Maternity Allowance may be available to help you take time off to have your baby.  You must not be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from any employer. You must also have been a registered self-employed person or have been employed in at least 26 weeks out of the 66 week period running into the week before the week your baby is due.

You should claim as soon as you can after you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. If you delay, you may lose benefit. There are a number of conditions that you need to meet in order to claim maternity benefit.

What are the benefit rates?

Standard rate: £117.18 or 90% of your average gross weekly earnings if this is less than £117.18.

What do I need to do next?

To make sure you do not miss out on any benefit due to you, you should contact us to find out if you need to fill in this form. If you download a form you should contact us to establish the date of your claim. For more information contact Jobcentre Plus.

More detailed information can be found in leaflet NI 17A - A Guide to Maternity Benefits available on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

Contact Jobcentre Plus for a claim form or you can download a Maternity Allowance claim form in PDF format. This form does not apply in Northern Ireland. Please choose a form from the options below.

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