Maternity Allowance notes are the official instructions that help you complete the MA1 claim form, calculate your Test Period and provide the evidence needed for your application.
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you should use the current Department for Work and Pensions MA1 form and notes. Northern Ireland has separate Maternity Allowance documentation.
Maternity Allowance can provide financial support when you take time off to have a baby and cannot receive Statutory Maternity Pay, are self-employed or have recently stopped working.
The application can appear complicated because your entitlement can depend on employment, earnings, National Insurance contributions and dates within a 66-week Test Period.
The most important point is to use the current MA1 form and Maternity Allowance guidance notes rather than an older copy saved online. The DWP updated its MA1 claim form and notes in February 2026.
What Are Maternity Allowance Notes?
The Maternity Allowance notes, commonly called the MA1 Notes, accompany the MA1 claim form. They explain what information you need to provide and how different circumstances affect your claim.
They cover areas including your Test Period, employment, self-employment, Statutory Maternity Pay, pregnancy evidence, working while receiving Maternity Allowance and changes you need to report.
For England, Scotland and Wales, the current Maternity Allowance claim form and MA1 Notes are published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The notes are particularly useful because the MA1 application asks about work and earnings over a much longer period than many people initially expect. You should therefore work out your relevant dates before filling in the form.
Who Can Claim Maternity Allowance in the UK?
Maternity Allowance is mainly intended for people who cannot receive Statutory Maternity Pay but have a qualifying work history.
You may be able to receive Maternity Allowance if you:
- Are Employed but do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay
- Are Self-Employed and meet the relevant conditions
- Have Recently Stopped Working but worked enough during your Test Period
- Carry Out Unpaid Work for the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner and meet the separate conditions
For the standard entitlement route, GOV.UK says you generally need to have been employed or registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks during the 66 weeks before your baby’s due date.
If you were employed, you normally need earnings of at least £30 a week in at least 13 weeks. Those weeks do not have to be consecutive.
Your employment status can make a significant difference to the maternity support available to you.
This is particularly important where your working arrangement is informal, as your wider employment rights without a written contract may depend on whether you are legally classed as an employee or worker.
Can You Claim If You Recently Stopped Working?
Yes. Ending a job before you claim does not automatically prevent you from receiving Maternity Allowance.
The MA1 Notes state that you may still claim if your job has ended, provided you worked for at least 26 weeks during the relevant 66-week period and meet the other conditions that apply to you.
Your 26 weeks can include different periods of work and do not necessarily have to be with the same employer.
What If You Are Self-Employed?
Self-employed applicants are assessed differently from employees. The amount you receive can depend on your Class 2 National Insurance contribution record within the Test Period.
The current MA1 Notes also state that self-employed applicants must be registered for Self Assessment with HM Revenue and Customs. Late registration can potentially affect entitlement.
If you run your own business, keeping your financial records organised is useful beyond the MA1 application. Knowing which expenses you can claim when self-employed can also help you maintain clearer records of your business finances.
Self-employed people who file tax returns should also continue dealing with their normal HMRC responsibilities while applying for Maternity Allowance.
Keeping track of the relevant Self Assessment and tax return deadlines can help prevent maternity-related paperwork from disrupting your other obligations.
When Can You Apply for Maternity Allowance?
You can apply once you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. The MA1 Notes describe this as the start of the 14th week before the week in which your baby is due.
You should not sign and date the claim before the permitted claim date because doing so can delay the application. If you are eligible, Maternity Allowance payments can normally start from as early as the 11th week before the week your baby is due.
You should also avoid delaying your claim unnecessarily. Current GOV.UK Maternity Allowance claiming guidance says you should claim within three months of your Maternity Allowance start date to receive the full amount to which you are entitled.
If your baby arrives early, the MA1 Notes advise making the claim promptly if you have not already done so.
What Is the 66-Week Maternity Allowance Test Period?
The Maternity Allowance Test Period is the 66 weeks before the week your baby is due. It is based on your expected due date rather than the baby’s eventual date of birth.
You need your Test Period dates before completing the MA1 form because the DWP uses this period to examine your employment or self-employment history and, where applicable, your earnings.
The current MA1 guidance recommends using the online DWP Test Period calculator because it works out the relevant dates from your expected due date. A Test Period table is also available.
Why Do Your Highest-Earning 13 Weeks Matter?
If you are employed, your choice of payslips can influence the amount of Maternity Allowance you receive.
The MA1 Notes specifically instruct employed applicants to provide payslips covering their highest-earning 13 weeks within the 66-week Test Period. These 13 weeks do not need to be consecutive.
If you had more than one job during one of the weeks you choose, the notes say you should provide payslips from each employment for that week.
This is why simply sending your latest 13 payslips may not be the best approach. You should first identify the Test Period and then review your earnings within it.
How Do You Fill In the MA1 Form?
Completing the MA1 form is mainly a matter of matching your circumstances to the questions and supplying evidence where required.
You will need to provide personal and pregnancy details, your expected due date and information about your employment or self-employment during the Test Period. If you were employed, the form may also ask about Statutory Maternity Pay and the employers you worked for.
Work out your Test Period before completing the employment sections. You can then check which jobs, contracts and earnings fall inside those dates.
If you complete the MA1 digitally, note that the process is not a fully online claim. GOV.UK says the form can be filled in on a desktop or laptop and then printed. It cannot currently be completed using a mobile phone or tablet.
What Documents Do You Need for a Maternity Allowance Claim?
The documents you need depend on how you qualify, but employed applicants commonly need pregnancy evidence, earnings evidence and an SMP1 form where Statutory Maternity Pay has been refused.
| Document | When It May Be Needed | What It Shows |
|---|---|---|
| MA1 Claim Form | For every claim | Your circumstances and claim details |
| MAT B1 Certificate Or Medical Letter | To prove the baby’s due date | Evidence of pregnancy and expected week of childbirth |
| 13 Weeks Of Payslips | If you are claiming based on employment | Your earnings during your Test Period |
| SMP1 Form | If an employer refused Statutory Maternity Pay | Why you are not receiving SMP |
| Birth Evidence | If the baby has already been born and additional evidence is required | The baby’s actual birth |
| Additional Partner Or Business Evidence | For certain unpaid-work claims | Your relationship and the relevant business circumstances |
MAT B1 And Proof Of Your Due Date
Your MAT B1 certificate confirms your pregnancy and the week your baby is due. According to the MA1 Notes, you can obtain a MAT B1 from your doctor or midwife from the 20th week of pregnancy.
The notes say that a MAT B1 should be completed by the doctor or midwife and that you should not alter the information yourself. They also recommend keeping a copy if you send the original because it may not be returned.
A headed letter from your doctor or midwife can also be accepted as proof of the due date under current GOV.UK guidance.
Payslips And Earnings Evidence
Employed applicants should normally provide earnings evidence covering their highest-paid 13 weeks in the Test Period.
The current MA1 Notes say that if you do not have original payslips or online copies, you can ask your employer for copies or a statement covering your selected weeks.
Your gross earnings are considered before deductions such as Income Tax and National Insurance.
SMP1 Form
If your employer decides that you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay, they should give you an SMP1 explaining the reason.
An SMP1 can therefore be important evidence when you apply for Maternity Allowance instead. If you had more than one relevant employer, your circumstances may require evidence from more than one employer.
How Much Is Maternity Allowance In 2026/27?
For the 2026/27 tax year, an employed person or someone who has recently stopped working can receive £194.32 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 39 weeks.
If you are self-employed, Maternity Allowance can range from £27 to £194.32 per week for up to 39 weeks. Your amount depends partly on your Class 2 National Insurance contribution position during the relevant 66-week period.
Where you have not paid enough Class 2 contributions, HMRC may contact you after your claim to explain whether additional voluntary contributions could increase your entitlement.
If you do unpaid work for your spouse’s or civil partner’s self-employed business and meet the separate conditions, the current rate is £27 per week for up to 14 weeks.
Rates are reviewed periodically, so you should check the latest figures when making a future claim rather than assuming the 2026/27 amount will remain unchanged.
Does Maternity Allowance Affect Universal Credit?
Yes. Maternity Allowance can affect other benefits.
GOV.UK says that if you receive Universal Credit, your Universal Credit payment is reduced by an amount equal to your Maternity Allowance payment. You should report receiving Maternity Allowance through your Universal Credit account.
This does not necessarily mean you should avoid claiming Maternity Allowance. The interaction between benefits depends on your wider circumstances, household income and entitlement.
If Universal Credit forms part of your household budget, understanding how earnings can affect Universal Credit can provide useful wider context.
Once your baby is born, other family support may also become relevant. For example, eligibility for Child Benefit and its current rules is separate from the MA1 application.
Can You Work While Receiving Maternity Allowance?
There is limited scope to work while receiving Maternity Allowance.
The current MA1 Notes state that if you are employed or self-employed, you can normally work for up to 10 keeping-in-touch days during your Maternity Allowance Period. Working beyond those 10 days may affect the amount you receive.
You must report days on which you work. You also need to report changes such as starting a new job, returning to work or changing the date on which you plan to stop working.
Different rules apply if your Maternity Allowance is based on unpaid work for your spouse’s or civil partner’s business.
Where Do You Send Your Maternity Allowance Form?
For England, Scotland and Wales, send your completed MA1 claim to the address printed on the current form.
Avoid relying on an address copied from an old article, forum post or previously downloaded MA1 form because the DWP has changed claim documentation and return details over time.
Northern Ireland uses a separate process. The Department for Communities publishes its own Northern Ireland MA1 form, Maternity Allowance notes and Test Period table.
The current nidirect publication was issued on 29 June 2026 and instructs applicants to send the completed form to the address shown on it.
That distinction matters if you search specifically for maternity allowance notes, as search results can show both GOV.UK and nidirect documents.
How Long Does A Maternity Allowance Claim Take?
GOV.UK says you should normally receive a decision within 20 working days after your claim is received.
If you qualify, you will receive confirmation of your entitlement. You may also be asked to confirm your final day of employment before your Maternity Allowance period begins.
If the DWP needs further evidence, missing information can extend the process. Providing the correct Test Period dates, earnings evidence and pregnancy documentation from the outset can therefore help avoid unnecessary follow-up.
If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be reconsidered. This process is known as mandatory reconsideration.
Which Maternity Allowance Notes Should You Use In Northern Ireland?
If you live in Northern Ireland, do not automatically use the England, Scotland and Wales version of the MA1 paperwork.
GOV.UK states that its main MA1 publication applies to England, Scotland and Wales, while Northern Ireland has a separate publication.
The Northern Ireland Test Period is still based on the 66 weeks up to and including the Saturday before the week you expect to have your baby, but you should follow the current nidirect instructions for the form, notes, postage and submission process.
Using the correct regional version is especially important because administrative instructions can change even where the underlying benefit operates in a similar way.
Conclusion: How To Use Maternity Allowance Notes Correctly?
The Maternity Allowance notes are more than instructions for filling in the MA1 form. They help you establish which weeks count towards your claim, what evidence you need and how your employment or self-employment affects entitlement.
Start by checking that you have the current MA1 form for your part of the UK. Work out your 66-week Test Period before completing the employment sections and, if you are employed, identify your highest-earning 13 weeks within that period.
You should then gather the appropriate evidence, which may include your MAT B1, payslips and SMP1. Self-employed applicants should pay particular attention to HMRC registration and Class 2 National Insurance because these can affect the rate paid.
Because Maternity Allowance rates and forms can change, use current government documentation rather than relying on older claim experiences or historic payment figures.
That gives you the best chance of completing your Maternity Allowance application accurately and receiving the amount for which you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Allowance Notes
Where Can I Download The Latest Maternity Allowance MA1 Notes?
The current MA1 claim form and notes for England, Scotland and Wales are published by the Department for Work and Pensions on GOV.UK. Northern Ireland has separate documents available through nidirect.
Can I Fill In The MA1 Form Online?
You can fill in the current interactive MA1 form on a desktop or laptop and then print it. It is not currently a fully online submission process, and GOV.UK says the interactive form cannot be completed using a mobile phone or tablet.
What Is The 66-Week Test Period For Maternity Allowance?
Your Test Period is the 66 weeks before the week in which your baby is expected. The DWP uses this period to assess relevant employment, self-employment and earnings. It is based on the expected due date rather than the actual birth date.
Which 13 Weeks Of Payslips Should I Send?
If you are an employed applicant, the MA1 Notes say you should provide payslips covering your highest-earning 13 weeks within the 66-week Test Period. The weeks do not need to be consecutive.
Do I Need An SMP1 Form To Claim Maternity Allowance?
You normally need an SMP1 if your employer has refused Statutory Maternity Pay. The document explains why you are not receiving SMP and can support your Maternity Allowance claim.
Can I Claim Maternity Allowance If I Am Self-Employed?
Yes, provided you meet the relevant conditions. The amount can depend on your registration with HMRC and your Class 2 National Insurance contribution record during the Test Period.
How Long Does A Maternity Allowance Claim Take?
Current GOV.UK guidance says you should normally receive a decision within 20 working days. A claim may take longer if further evidence or information is required.
