TL;DR: Too long, Didn’t read
The Amount: For the first 6 weeks, you get 90% of your average earnings. After that, it drops to £184.03 per week (or 90%, whichever is lower) for 33 weeks.
The “Test”: To qualify, you must have worked for your employer for 26 weeks leading up to the “Qualifying Week” (15 weeks before your due date).
Start Date: You can usually start maternity leave 11 weeks before your due date.
Not Eligible? If you haven’t worked there long enough, you can likely claim Maternity Allowance from the government instead.
Seeing those two lines on the test is exciting. But after the excitement comes the panic: “How am I going to pay the bills while I’m off?”
UK Maternity Pay rules are notoriously complicated. There are strict “test weeks” and dates you need to hit. If you miss them, your employer doesn’t have to pay you a penny.
What is Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)?
SMP is the legal minimum your employer must pay you while you are on maternity leave. It lasts for 39 weeks (even though you can take 52 weeks of leave).
Weeks 1–6: You get 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax).
Weeks 7–39: You get £187.18 per week OR 90% of your earnings (whichever is lower).
Weeks 40–52: Unpaid.
(Note: Rates are correct for the 2025/26 tax year. Check your contract—many employers offer “Enhanced Maternity Pay” which is much higher).
The “Continuous Employment” Test
This is where people get caught out. You don’t get SMP just for having a job. You must have worked for your employer for 26 continuous weeks continuing into the “Qualifying Week.”
What is the “Qualifying Week”? It is the 15th week before the week your baby is due.
Translation: You basically need to have been employed by them before you got pregnant (or very shortly after).
If you started a new job when you were 4 months pregnant, you likely won’t qualify for SMP from that new employer.
A Quick Story: Meet Maya
Maya joins a new company in January.
She finds out she is pregnant in February.
She applies for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
The Verdict: Maya Qualifies. Even though she has only just started, she will have worked there for 26 weeks by the time she hits the critical “15 weeks before due date” mark. Therefore, she gets the money.
Contrast: If Maya had joined in May (while 5 months pregnant), she wouldn’t have built up enough time by the deadline. She would have to claim Maternity Allowance from the government instead.
“I Don’t Qualify! What Now?” (Maternity Allowance)
If your boss says “No” because you haven’t worked there long enough, don’t panic. You can claim Maternity Allowance (MA) directly from the government.
Who is it for? Self-employed people, or employees who recently changed jobs.
How much is it? It is usually the same flat rate (£187.18 per week).
How to claim: You need form SMP1 from your employer (explaining why they won’t pay you) to apply for MA.
Your Other Rights While Pregnant
Money isn’t the only thing. Remember:
Paid Time Off for Antenatal Care: You have the right to paid time off for appointments (scans, midwife). You don’t need to make up the hours.
Protection from Redundancy: You have special protection (“Redundancy Protection Period”) from the moment you tell them you are pregnant until 18 months after birth.
Holidays: You continue to “accrue” (build up) holiday days while on maternity leave. You can tack these onto the end of your leave to get full pay for a few more weeks.
Summary: Check Your Dates
The maths is hard, but the rule is simple:
Work out your Due Date.
Count back 15 weeks. (This is your “Qualifying Week”).
Did you work there for 26 weeks before that date?
Yes? You get SMP.
No? Ask for form SMP1 and call the Jobcentre for Maternity Allowance.
(Sources: Gov.uk – Maternity Pay, Acas – Maternity Rights)
This guide is for information purposes only. Rates (£187.18) are subject to change every April. Always check your contract for ‘Enhanced’ pay.