Maternity Pay & Benefits: What You’re Actually Entitled To

Money’s probably not the first thing on your mind when you find out you’re pregnant — but at some point, the practical stuff creeps in. Can I afford time off? Will I still get paid? What happens if I’m self-employed?

The answers aren’t always crystal clear, and let’s be honest — the official guidance can feel like it was written by a robot.

So, here’s a real-world breakdown of maternity pay and benefits, written in plain English, with the facts (and a bit of empathy) to go with it.

Do you get maternity leave?

Yes — everyone who’s employed has the right to up to 52 weeks off work when they have a baby. That’s split into:

26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave
Followed by 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave

You don’t have to take the full year, but you must take at least 2 weeks off after your baby’s born (or 4 weeks if you work in a factory). You can start your leave any time from 11 weeks before your due date.

And no — it doesn’t matter how long you’ve worked somewhere, or how many hours you do — the right to maternity leave applies to everyone who’s classed as an employee.

Will you get paid?

That’s where it gets more complicated.

If you’re employed and meet certain conditions, you’re probably entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

You’ll need to:

Have been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your baby’s due
Earn at least £123 a week (before tax)

If that’s you, here’s what you’ll get:

6 weeks at 90% of your usual pay
Then 33 weeks at £184.03 per week (or 90% of your average pay, if that’s lower)

The remaining 13 weeks (if you take the full year) are unpaid — so it’s a good idea to plan ahead for that if you can.

Some employers offer enhanced maternity pay — which is better than the legal minimum. If you’re not sure, ask HR or check your contract.

What if you don’t qualify for SMP?

Don’t panic. If you’re not eligible for SMP — maybe you haven’t been in the job long enough, or you’re self-employed — you might be able to get Maternity Allowance instead.

This comes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), not your employer.

To qualify, you’ll need to have:

Worked (either employed or self-employed) for 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before your due date
Earned at least £30 a week in 13 of those weeks

If that’s you, you could get:

£184.03 a week for up to 39 weeks

If you’re self-employed, this is usually what you’ll get — as long as you’ve been paying your Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

Other things you might be able to claim

Depending on your income, savings, and household situation, you might also be eligible for:

Universal Credit
Healthy Start vouchers (for help with buying milk, fruit, veg, and vitamins)
Child Benefit (most parents can get this — though higher earners might need to opt out or pay it back)
Sure Start Maternity Grant — a one-off £500 payment if you’re on certain benefits and this is your first child

What else should you know?

A few quick facts:

Your holiday leave continues to build up while you’re on maternity leave
You’re still entitled to pay rises and pension contributions
You’ll need to give your employer 28 days’ notice if you’re claiming SMP
You’ll also need to give them your MATB1 form (you get this from your midwife at around 20 weeks)

The Honest Take

This stuff can feel dry and overwhelming, especially when you’re already navigating pregnancy hormones, baby prep, and possibly some fairly feral heartburn.

But here’s the bottom line: you’re legally entitled to time off, and most people are entitled to some kind of financial support while they recover and bond with their baby.

The amounts aren’t always generous — and yes, many families feel the pinch — but you do have rights, and it’s worth knowing exactly what they are.

Quick checklist

Ask for your employer’s maternity policy
Get your MATB1 form from your midwife
Tell your employer when you want to start maternity leave
Check if you qualify for SMP or Maternity Allowance
Look into Child Benefit, Healthy Start, or Universal Credit
Budget for the unpaid portion of leave if you’re taking the full year

Need help working out what you’re entitled to? The GOV.UK maternity pay calculator is actually quite helpful or pop in to see Citizens Advice if things feel confusing.

Knowing your maternity rights and benefits is an important step for you and your family. Continue your journey with our Postnatal Classes, where we cover baby milestones and provide guidance for those early months after birth.