Maternity Allowance Calculator
Estimate your weekly Maternity Allowance and total payment for up to 39 weeks, whether you’re employed, recently stopped working, or self-employed.
Your Maternity Allowance Details
Enter your work status and earnings to estimate your payment
Choose the option that best matches your work situation.
Your average gross weekly earnings over your best 13 weeks (used if employed/recently stopped work).
Weeks employed or registered with HMRC in the 66 weeks before your baby is due. You usually need at least 26.
Only relevant if self-employed. 13 or more weeks gives the maximum rate.
Your Maternity Allowance Estimate
Weekly rate, total payment, and eligibility check
Enter your details above and click Calculate Maternity Allowance to reveal your estimated weekly and total payment.
Maternity Allowance Rate Guide
A quick reference for how much Maternity Allowance you could get, depending on your situation, from 6 April 2026.
| Situation | Weekly Rate | Weeks Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed, earnings ≥ £215.91/wk | £194.32 | Up to 39 | Capped at the maximum standard rate |
| Employed, lower earnings | 90% of average weekly earnings | Up to 39 | Must earn at least £30/week on average |
| Self-employed, 13+ weeks Class 2 NI | £194.32 | Up to 39 | Maximum rate for full NI record |
| Self-employed, partial Class 2 NI | £27 – £194.32 | Up to 39 | Scales with weeks of contributions paid |
| Self-employed, no Class 2 NI | £27 | Up to 39 | Can be topped up and backdated later |
| Spouse/civil partner assisting business | £27 | Up to 14 | For unpaid work in their business |
Maternity Allowance Calculator FAQ
Everything you need to know about Maternity Allowance rates, eligibility, and how it compares to Statutory Maternity Pay.
From 6 April 2026, the standard rate of Maternity Allowance is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower, paid for up to 39 weeks. Self-employed claimants may receive between £27 and £194.32 a week depending on how many weeks of Class 2 National Insurance contributions they have paid.
You may be eligible for Maternity Allowance if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from an employer. Generally, you must have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before your baby is due, and have earned at least £30 a week on average over any 13 of those weeks.
Self-employed claimants can qualify for Maternity Allowance based on their National Insurance record rather than earnings from a single employer. The amount depends on how many weeks of Class 2 National Insurance contributions have been paid in the 66-week test period, up to the maximum rate of £194.32 a week if at least 13 weeks of contributions have been made.
Yes. If you have done unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner’s self-employed business, you may be able to get a lower rate of Maternity Allowance, currently £27 a week, for up to 14 weeks, even if you would not otherwise qualify.
Maternity Allowance is usually paid for up to 39 weeks, in line with the paid portion of statutory maternity leave. If you claim late, you may receive fewer weeks of payment, so it is best to apply as early as possible, from 26 weeks of pregnancy onward.
Maternity Allowance is tax-free and does not usually reduce most other benefits, but it does count as income for Universal Credit, so your Universal Credit award may be reduced by the amount of Maternity Allowance you receive in each assessment period. Housing and child elements of Universal Credit are not affected.