Self-employed maternity pay: what you need to know

Is self-employed maternity pay available? The short answer is yes, but it depends on a few different factors. Our guide can help you figure out the maternity pay you’re entitled to and how you can claim it.

Working for yourself brings a level of flexibility that you often can’t find in traditional jobs. But sometimes it’s important to put your work on hold to care for your child full time. Keep reading to discover your maternity pay entitlement options as a self-employed parent.

What is maternity pay?

There are different types of maternity leave pay available depending on your employment status:

• statutory maternity pay is the legal minimum for an employer to pay (as long as you’ve worked there for a certain amount of time and earn at least £123 a week on average)
• enhanced maternity pay is offered by some companies as a benefit to get more than statutory maternity pay (it’s also known as ‘contractual’ maternity pay)
• maternity allowance is paid by the government if you’re self-employed and can’t claim statutory maternity pay

Our guide takes you through the main maternity pay types currently available in the UK. We also explain how self-employed mothers and mothers-to-be can claim them.

Maternity allowance

This benefit comes directly from the government. It’s designed for those who don’t qualify for statutory maternity pay. This makes it a key maternity benefit for self-employed mothers.

You can apply for maternity allowance after 26 weeks of pregnancy. Payments can begin 11 weeks before your baby’s due at the earliest, and the day after your baby’s born at the latest.

Am I eligible for maternity allowance?

Your eligibility will depend on the work you’ve done in the 66 weeks before your baby is due. This is known as your test period.

To qualify, you need to have been registered as self-employed or employed for at least 26 weeks in this test period. If you’ve done any paid work during a week in these 66 weeks, it counts as one full week. These 26 weeks don’t need to be consecutive.

At least 13 of these weekly earnings need to be £30 or over for you to be eligible.

How much maternity allowance will I get?

The amount of maternity allowance you get will depend on your Class 2 National Insurance (NI) contributions. Depending on your earnings, these are made automatically when you submit your Self Assessment tax return.

If you pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions for at least 13 weeks in your test period, you’ll get between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks.

If you’re employed or have recently stopped working, you’ll get 90% of your average weekly earnings or £194.32 a week – whichever is less. To calculate the average, your total gross earnings for the 13 eligible weeks of your test period will be added up and divided by 13.

If you haven’t paid enough Class 2 National Insurance contributions to get the full amount, you may get a reduced amount of £27 a week. You may still be able to qualify for the full rate by making early National Insurance contributions.

If your spouse or civil partner is self-employed and you do unpaid work for their business, you might get maternity allowance for up to 14 weeks. You need to have taken part in this unpaid work for at least 26 weeks of the 66 weeks before your baby’s due. Your partner also needs to be making Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

Is maternity pay taxable?

You don’t have to pay tax on maternity allowance.

If you’re newly self-employed, read more about filing your tax return and the Self Assessment process.

How do I apply for maternity allowance?

To apply for Maternity Allowance, you need to complete the maternity allowance claim form, and send it to the address given on the form.

If you can’t print the form, you can ask HMRC to send one to your address. You’ll also need to provide original payslips, proof of your baby’s due date, and proof of birth if your baby has already been born.

Statutory maternity pay

Statutory maternity pay comes from an employer. If you’re self-employed as a sole trader, you won’t be eligible for statutory maternity pay unless you’re also employed by someone else.

If you receive statutory maternity pay, you won’t qualify for maternity allowance. This applies even if you’re also working for yourself or helping out a self-employed spouse.

If you own your own limited company, your company could pay your statutory maternity pay. You can usually claim part or all of it back from the HMRC.  

Working while on maternity allowance – rules and regulations

If you do any work during your maternity allowance period, you must tell Jobcentre Plus.

You’re allowed to work a maximum of 10 days during the period you receive maternity allowance. If you work any more than this, you’ll lose your allowance for the extra days you work.

What about self-employed dads and partners?

Currently, dads and partners aren’t able to get self-employed paternity pay and paternity leave in the UK. This is only an option for employees with an employment contract.

Shared parental leave

Another option for self-employed mothers is shared parental leave, Shared parental leave allows mothers to end their maternity leave early and share it with their partner. You can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between you.

Self-employed people are unable to take shared parental leave for themselves. But if your partner is employed and you meet certain earning requirements, they might be able to claim it.

The government website has a form to help you work out if either you or your partner can take shared parental leave.

Employment and support allowance

If you don’t qualify for maternity allowance, you may be able to get employment and support allowance instead. If you claim maternity allowance and get rejected, you’ll automatically be considered for this alternative.

Your MAT B1 form – the maternity certificate that your midwife gives you after your 20-week scan – is enough to prove that you’re unable to work. You won’t need to undergo a work capability assessment.

Other benefits for pregnant women and parents

If this is your first child, you might be able to get the Sure Start Maternity Grant to help towards the costs of having a baby. If you live in Scotland, you’ll need to apply for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead.

Once your baby is born, you may also be entitled to tax-free childcare or child benefit.

Small business guides and resources

• Cost of living support and resources
• Small business grants for women
• Empowering Women in Business initiative
• What type of business insurance do I need?