Answers · UK 2025/26
What is Maternity Allowance for self-employed in 2026/27?
Maternity Allowance for self-employed women is £184.03 per week (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower) for up to 39 weeks. To qualify, you must have been self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and have paid Class 2 NICs or met the test period earnings condition.
Full answer
Maternity Allowance (MA) is available to self-employed women and employees who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). The standard rate for 2026/27 is £184.03 per week (or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower) for up to 39 weeks. To qualify as a self-employed person, you must have been self-employed for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before your expected week of childbirth, and have paid or be liable to pay Class 2 NIC for at least 13 of those 26 weeks, or have average weekly earnings of at least £30 during those weeks (the Maternity Allowance threshold). Maternity Allowance starts from the earliest 11 weeks before your baby is due. You cannot receive MA and SMP at the same time. Claims are made to DWP using form MA1.
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.