Benefits - Maternity

Statutory Maternity Pay provides financial support during maternity leave for employed people. The amount depends on your earnings and is paid in two stages over 39 weeks, helping to support income before and after your baby is born.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is the minimum amount your employer must pay you during maternity leave if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Who can get SMP

You may qualify if:

• You are employed (not self‑employed)
• You have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your baby is due
• You earn at least £129 per week on average
• You give your employer the correct notice and proof of pregnancy (MATB1 form) 

How much you get (2026–2027)

SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks:

• First 6 weeks:

  • 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax)

• Next 33 weeks:

  • £194.32 per week or
  • 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower)

How it is paid

• Paid through your employer’s payroll
• Usually paid weekly or monthly (like your normal wages)
• Tax and National Insurance are deducted

How long maternity leave lasts

• You can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave
• SMP is paid for 39 weeks
• The remaining 13 weeks are unpaid (unless your employer offers extra pay) 

If you cannot get SMP

If you do not qualify (for example, if you are self‑employed or have not worked long enough):

• Your employer must give you a form SMP1
• You may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead  

Maternity Allowance provides financial support for people who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, including those who are self‑employed or recently worked. It offers up to 39 weeks of payments, helping to support income before and after your baby is born.

Maternity Allowance (UK)

Maternity Allowance is a payment from the government for people who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

Who can claim

You may be eligible if:

• You are pregnant or have recently had a baby
• You do not qualify for SMP from an employer
• You have:
  • Worked (employed or self‑employed) for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date
  • Earned at least £30 a week in at least 13 of those weeks

You can still qualify if you:

• Are self‑employed
• Have had different jobs or gaps in work
• Recently stopped working 

How much you get (2026–2027)

• Up to £194.32 per week or
• 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower)
• Paid for up to 39 weeks

If you are self‑employed with lower contributions:

• You may receive a lower amount (from £27 per week) depending on National Insurance contributions

How it is paid

• Paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Usually paid every 2 or 4 weeks
• Paid directly into your bank account 

Key points

• You cannot get both Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance for the same pregnancy
• If your employer says you do not qualify for SMP, they must give you a form SMP1
• Maternity Allowance is usually tax‑free 

During pregnancy, the NHS provides free maternity care, prescriptions and dental treatment, along with additional support such as Healthy Start and help with travel costs. These services are designed to support your health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy and after birth. NHS website has more information.

NHS benefits during pregnancy (UK)

If you are pregnant, you are entitled to a range of free NHS care and support to help keep you and your baby healthy.

1. Free NHS maternity care

Available to all pregnant people

This includes:

• Antenatal (pregnancy) appointments
• Screening tests and scans
• Care during labour and birth
• Support from midwives and doctors

2. Free prescriptions and dental care

With a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

• Free NHS prescriptions
• Free NHS dental treatment

You are entitled:

• During pregnancy
• For 12 months after your baby is born
• Your midwife, GP or health visitor can apply for the certificate

3. Healthy Start (if eligible)

Help with food and vitamins

• Money to buy:
  • Milk
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Infant formula
• Free vitamins for you and your child
• Available if you are on a low income or certain benefits, or under 18 

4. Help with travel costs to appointments

If you are on a low income

• You may get help through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
• Covers travel to hospital or specialist appointments

5. Paid time off for antenatal care

If you are employed

• You have the right to paid time off for:
  • Antenatal appointments
  • Parenting or antenatal classes

6. Extra help if you are on a low income

You may also qualify for help with:

• Health costs (via the NHS Low Income Scheme)
• Free prescriptions, dental care, and travel costs through HC2 certificates  

Shared Parental Leave and Pay (UK)