Maternity Allowance (MA)

Someone who is not eligible for SMP may qualify for MA, paid through the local Jobcentre Plus. There are two types of MA, both paid at a flat weekly rate:

• some workers who cannot meet the SMP eligibility criteria will qualify for MA for 39 weeks at the flat weekly rate of £139.58 (2015-16); and

• for babies born on or after 27 July 2014, people who are not employed or self-employed and are not eligible for MA for 39 weeks but who work unpaid in their partner’s business may now qualify for MA at 14 weeks, at a lower rate of £27 per week (2015-16).