SOON-TO-BE mums can get extra help preparing for a new baby thanks to a little-known benefit.
The extra financial support could boost an expecting mother’s income by up to £172.48 a week.
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Mothers taking maternity leave are generally entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from their employer.
But in some circumstances, they may not be eligible, for instance, if they lost or left their job recently.
The same will also apply to women who work for themselves.
Instead, they may be eligible for the Maternity Allowance which is paid by the government and is worth up to £172.48 a week.
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That adds up to £6,726 over the 39 weeks you could get it, though the exact amount you can get depends on your eligibility.
The allowance is expected to see another boost this year in April 2024, it will also rise from £172.48 a week to £184.03.
Last year the government boosted the allowance by 10.1% taking the initial figure of £156.66 to £172.48 a year.
Around 40,000 mums benefited from the increase in April last year.
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Who is eligible for Maternity Allowance?
You could be eligible for Maternity Allowance if you’re not entitled to maternity pay, you’re self-employed or you’ve recently stopped working.
The following must apply within the previous 66 weeks of your due date too:
- You must be registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby’s due
- You must employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby’s due
If you’re self-employed you must have paid Class 2 National Insurance for at least 13 of the 66 weeks to get the full amount of £172.48 a week.
If you’ve been employed, you must have been earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks of your employment. The weeks do not have to be together.
You may still qualify if you’ve recently stopped working. It does not matter if you had different jobs or periods of unemployment.
You can check your eligibility for Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay using the calculator on Gov.UK.
If you do unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner’s business
You might get Maternity Allowance for up to 14 weeks if, for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due.
- You must have taken part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner
- and have not been employed or self-employed
In the same 26 weeks, your spouse or civil partner must:
- Be registered as self-employed with HMRC
- Pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions
If you sadly lose the may you may still qualify for support.
This applies if your baby is either stillborn from the start of week 24 in the pregnancy or born alive at any point during the pregnancy.
If you can’t claim maternity benefits you might be able to get Universal Credit – here’s how to claim.
How much is Maternity Allowance?
Maternity Allowance is worth different amounts depending on your situation. The following rates will apply from Monday, April 10:
- 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) up to a maximum of £172.48 a week for 39 weeks
- £27 a week for 39 weeks, or
- £27 a week for 14 weeks.
The allowance is expected to see another boost this year in April 2024.
It will rise from £172.48 a week to £184.03.
How do I claim Maternity Allowance?
You can claim Maternity Allowance once you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks.
Payments usually start 11 weeks before your baby is due and is paid every two or four weeks.
Mothers can still launch claims within three months after giving birth and will still be entitled to the full 39 weeks’ worth of payments.
You should be aware that the money you get from Maternity Allowance can affect other benefits you get, including:
- Universal Credit
- Council tax reduction
- Housing benefit
- Employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) – this will stop if you get Maternity Allowance
- Bereavement benefits
- Carer’s allowance
It could also affect the amount you get because of the benefit cap.
If you’re eligible, to get the money you need to fill in the Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form.
You can do this online, or by printing it out and sending it by post – the address is on the form.
You’ll need to give information about your employment in the 66 weeks before your baby is due called the “test period”.
You will also need to include other documents when you send in your claim form:
- Proof of income
- Proof of a due date and birth
- Additional information
You should get a decision on your claim within 20 working days.
If you’re eligible, a form will be sent to you confirming your entitlement and asking you to confirm your last day of employment before leaving.
Other help for expecting mothers
You could also be eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which offers soon-to-be-parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a one-off upfront sum of £500.
You can get prescriptions and dental treatment for free while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby’s due date.
Ask your doctor or midwife for a maternity exemption certificate (MATEX) to claim the free care.
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