Maternity Allowance (MA) 



Someone who is not eligible for SMP may qualify for MA, paid through the local Jobcentre Plus. There are three types of MA: 



• workers who cannot meet the SMP eligibility criteria (and some self-employed workers) will qualify for MA for 39 weeks at the flat weekly rate of £140.98 (2017-18), or 90% of average weekly wages if less;


• Some self-employed who have not paid enough Class 2 National Insurance to qualify for the full rate of MA (£140.98 a week) but who meet the other eligibility criteria for MA will get the lower rate of £27 a week for 39 weeks.


• Some people who are neither employed nor self-employed and are not eligible for MA for 39 weeks but who work unpaid in their partner’s business may qualify for MA at 14 weeks, again at a lower flat rate of £27 per week.