Maternity Allowance payment dates 2026: every 2 or 4 weeks
The weekly rate tops out at £194.32 for employed claimants, GOV.UK says, falling to £27 for some self-employed claimants and those doing unpaid work in a spouse’s business.
“Maternity Allowance is paid every 2 or 4 weeks,” GOV.UK says, with the money going straight into a bank, building society or credit union account rather than by cheque. The benefit runs for up to 39 weeks, and the weekly rate depends on how a claimant worked before the baby was due.
How much is the weekly rate?
Employed claimants, and those who have recently stopped working, get “£194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less)”, GOV.UK says. Self-employed claimants get “between £27 to £194.32 a week”. The full rate needs at least 26 weeks registered with HMRC in the 66 weeks before the baby is due. It also needs 13 weeks of Class 2 National Insurance contributions in that same window, or the rate falls to £27. The same £27 rate goes to a smaller group doing unpaid work for a spouse or civil partner’s business, but only “for up to 14 weeks”.
| Claimant | Weekly rate | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Employed, or recently stopped working | £194.32, or 90% of earnings if lower | 39 weeks |
| Self-employed, full contributions record | Up to £194.32 | 39 weeks |
| Self-employed, no Class 2 contributions | £27 | 39 weeks |
| Unpaid work in spouse’s business | £27 | 14 weeks |
Who can claim?
GOV.UK says claimants qualify for up to 39 weeks of Maternity Allowance. That needs being self-employed or employed for “at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby’s due”. Employed claimants also need to have earned “£30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks” of that employment — different jobs or gaps in work do not count against a claimant. For the unpaid-work route, a claimant’s spouse or civil partner must themselves be “registered as self-employed with HMRC” and pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions.
When do payments start, and what about bank holidays?
A claimant can apply once “pregnant for 26 weeks”, GOV.UK says, and “payments can start any time between the 11th week before your baby is due and the day after the baby is born”. Claiming “within 3 months” of that start date secures the full amount; a decision normally arrives “within 20 working days”. A payment due on a weekend or bank holiday “you’ll usually be paid on the working day before”, GOV.UK’s guidance on how benefits are paid says.
How often is Maternity Allowance paid?
Every 2 or 4 weeks, into a bank, building society or credit union account.
How much is the weekly rate?
Up to £194.32 a week; self-employed claimants get between £27 and £194.32.
When can I start claiming?
Once pregnant for 26 weeks, from 11 weeks before the due date.
What about a bank holiday?
Paid on the working day before instead, GOV.UK says.
Payments then continue on that 2-or-4-week cycle, GOV.UK says, until the 39 weeks run out.