Benefits - Maternity allowance

Maternity allowance is usually paid to you if you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

You could get either £136.78 a week or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). It is paid for up to 39 weeks.

You might get Maternity Allowance if:

• You are employed, but not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay;
• You are registered self-employed and paying Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs), or hold a Small Earnings Exception certificate; or
• You have very recently been employed or self-employed.

You may be eligible if:

• You have been employed and/or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in your ‘test period’ (66 weeks up to and including the week before the week your baby is due). Part weeks count as full weeks; and
• You earned £30 a week averaged over any 13 weeks in your test period.

Download the Maternity Allowance claim form

Contact The Highland Councils Welfare Support Team for free advice and support on completing the form on:

Phone: 0800 090 1004

Find out more about Maternity Allowance