Can I get maternity pay if I am self-employed UK?

Self-employed women cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), but you can claim Maternity Allowance if you have been self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date and paid Class 2 National Insurance. Maternity Allowance pays up to £184.03 per week for up to 39 weeks.

How much is Maternity Allowance for self-employed?

The maximum rate is £184.03 per week for 39 weeks (2026/27). The amount depends on your earnings in the test period. If you paid Class 2 NI contributions, you qualify for the full rate. If your earnings were very low, you may receive a reduced rate of £27 per week.

Can I work while claiming Maternity Allowance?

Yes. You can do up to 10 Keeping in Touch (KIT) days during your Maternity Allowance period without losing any payment. After those 10 days, any work will cause you to lose a week's allowance for each week you work. Many self-employed women plan their workload around these rules.

Do I still pay tax while on Maternity Allowance?

Maternity Allowance itself is not taxable. However, any self-employment income you earn during the year is still taxable as normal. Your Class 2 NI contributions continue to be due if you are still registered as self-employed, though you may be able to claim exception if your profits are below the Small Profits Threshold.

Self-Employed and Pregnant — Your Financial Rights and Benefits UK | PocketWise

Being self-employed and pregnant means navigating a different set of rules compared to employees. You will not get Statutory Maternity Pay, but there is financial support available. This guide covers what you can claim, how to plan, and how to protect your income.

What Maternity Benefits Can Self-Employed Women Claim?

Maternity Allowance

This is the main benefit for self-employed mothers.

Detail	Information
Amount	Up to £184.03 per week (2026/27)
Duration	Up to 39 weeks
Taxable?	No
Who qualifies	Self-employed women who paid Class 2 NI for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before the due date
When to claim	From 26 weeks pregnant
Paid by	Jobcentre Plus (not an employer)

Eligibility

Requirement	Details
Self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66-week test period	The 66 weeks before the week your baby is due
Paid Class 2 NI contributions	For at least 13 of those 66 weeks
Earnings	Average weekly earnings of at least £30 (relevant test period)

If you have not been paying Class 2 NI, you can make voluntary payments to fill gaps — but you must do this before claiming Maternity Allowance.

How to Claim

Step	Action
1	Get form MA1 from gov.uk or your local Jobcentre Plus
2	Complete the form with your self-employment details
3	Provide proof of your due date (MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor)
4	Provide evidence of your self-employment and NI contributions
5	Submit from 26 weeks pregnant — the earliest you can start receiving it is 11 weeks before the due date

When Maternity Allowance Starts

Option	Details
Earliest start	11 weeks before your due date
Latest start	The day after the baby is born
Your choice	You choose when to start within this window
Flexibility	Starting later means payments run later (useful if you want to work closer to the due date)

Other Benefits and Support

Universal Credit

Detail	Information
Can you claim UC during Maternity Allowance?	Yes, but Maternity Allowance is counted as income and reduces your UC
Work-related requirements	You are exempt from work-related requirements during your maternity period
Childcare element	Once you return to work, you can claim up to 85% of childcare costs
Child element	£333.33/month (first child born before April 2017) or £287.92

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Detail	Information
Amount	£500 lump sum
Who qualifies	First child (or multiple birth), and you receive a qualifying benefit
Qualifying benefits	Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit
When to claim	From 29 weeks pregnant to 6 months after birth

Other Support

Benefit	Details
Free NHS prescriptions	Free during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth
Free NHS dental treatment	Free during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth
Healthy Start vouchers	Help with milk, fruit, and vegetables if on qualifying benefits
Child Benefit	£26.05/week from birth — claim even if self-employed to protect NI record

Financial Planning Before Maternity

Building a Maternity Fund

Start planning as early as possible. Calculate how much income you need to replace.

Monthly need	Maternity Allowance covers	Gap to fill
£2,000	£798 (at £184.03/week)	£1,202
£2,500	£798	£1,702
£3,000	£798	£2,202

Preparation	Months before	Savings needed (6-month break at £2,000/month)
Very early	18+ months	Save £67/month
Early	12 months	Save £100/month
Standard	9 months	Save £134/month
Late	6 months	Save £200/month

Tax Planning

Action	When	Benefit
Increase pension contributions before maternity	While still earning	Reduces tax bill and builds retirement savings
Consider your tax year timing	Before and during maternity	A lower income year means a lower tax bill
Claim all business expenses	Before maternity	Reduce your taxable profit
Set aside money for tax	Throughout	Your tax bill is still due even if income drops
Check Class 2 NI contributions	Before claiming MA	Ensure you have enough qualifying weeks

Business Preparation

Action	Details
Inform key clients	Give them plenty of notice — maintain the relationship
Arrange cover	Subcontract or partner with someone to cover your absence
Set up auto-replies	Let new enquiries know your availability
Complete ongoing projects	Aim to finish work before your planned maternity start
Invoice before you stop	Do not leave money outstanding during your break
Consider income protection insurance	Some policies cover maternity — check if self-employed policies do

Keeping in Touch Days

Rule	Details
Number of KIT days	10 during the Maternity Allowance period
What counts	Any work on your business — even checking emails for an hour counts as a full day
Effect on MA	No reduction in Maternity Allowance for KIT days
After 10 days	Any further work causes you to lose a week’s MA for each week you work in
Flexible working	KIT days can be spread throughout the 39 weeks

Returning to Self-Employment

Consideration	Details
Gradual return	Consider starting part-time and building up
Childcare costs	Factor in nursery, childminder, or nanny costs
Tax-Free Childcare	Government pays 20% on top of what you put in (up to £2,000/year per child)
Free childcare hours	15 hours from 9 months for working parents
Business expenses	Childcare is not a business expense but Tax-Free Childcare helps
Rebuilding clients	Allow time to rebuild if you lost clients during your break

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