Maternity Benefits - an overview

For almost all benefits, you must be present and ordinarily resident in Great Britain to qualify. PLEASE NOTE that the figures and conditions below are subject to change, and are primarily intended to illustrate the variety of benefits available. While we try to ensure the information here is frequently updated and accurate, you may wish to check with your local authority, us, or the Advice Guide link on our Home Page for current figures and conditions.

Maternity Allowance

-   must meet the employment test - been employed (or self-employed) for any 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before the week the baby is due

-   average earnings of at least £30 per week

-   not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay

-   must still be pregnant (or had a premature birth in some cases)

-   is paid for 26 weeks (this is the Maternity Allowance Period - MAP)

-   can choose to start MAP anytime from 11th week before the week the baby is due up to the day after the date baby is born (some exceptions regarding stopping work and sickness

Statutory Maternity Pay

-   is paid by the employer when employee leaves work to have a baby

-   only paid if employed continuously for 26 weeks ending in qualifying week

-   qualifying week is 15th week before the week the baby is due

-   average weekly earnings of at least £79 (2004) or £82 (2005)

-   is paid for 26 weeks (this is the Maternity Pay Period - MPP)

-   can choose to start MPP any time from 11th week before week baby due to week after day baby born (exceptions when off work sick)

-   2 rates of Statutory Maternity Pay: First six weeks of MPP 90% of gross weekly earnings, next 20 weeks the lower of 90% gross weekly earnings or the flat rate (from 6 April 2005 = £106.00)

Statutory Sick Pay

-   must be in employment, earning gross minimum £82 per week (from 6 April 2005)

-   must be off work sick for at least 4 days in a row (not paid for first three days)

-   is paid for up to 28 weeks

-   Statutory Sick Pay from 6 April 2005 is 68.20per week

Statutory Paternity Pay

-   must be entitled to Statutory Paternity Leave - SPL

-   have average earnings of at least £82 per week (for 6 April 2005)

-   can choose to begin Paternity Pay Period from day baby is born to within 8 weeks of the date of birth (with exceptions if baby is born early)

-   must give required notice to employer - by 15th week before the week the baby is due

-   is paid for a block of one or two consecutive weeks (depending on how many weeks employee has chosen to take as SPL)

-   rate of Statutory Paternity Pay is the lower of 90% of normal weekly earnings or £106.00 (from 6 April 2005)

Other benefits associated with children:

-   Child Benefit (non-means tested)

-   Home Responsibilities Protection - protect your National Insurance Contribution (NIC) record for the time taken out of work to care for child/ren

-   Widowed Parents Allowance - if you are looking after a child and your late spouse has paid NI contributions

-   Child Support maintenance

-   Guardians Allowance for caring for a child that is not your own

-   Sure Start Maternity Grants - if you receive certain means tested benefits

-   Statutory Adoption Pay - similar to Statutory Maternity Pay

-   Help with Health costs - e.g. travel to antenatal appointments if on a low income