Pay from your employer for up to 39 weeks when you take maternity leave, if you meet the earnings and service conditions.
Many people who are entitled to support never claim it. Check who qualifies, how much you could get and how to make your claim through the official channel.
The rules depend on where you live in the UK and on your household’s circumstances.
What Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) offers
- Up to 39 weeks: Paid for up to 39 weeks.
- Paid by employer: Your employer pays it and reclaims most of it from HMRC.
- Shared Parental Pay: You can convert some weeks into Shared Parental Pay.
- More from your employer: Your contract may offer more than the statutory amount.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | Employees earning at least £129 a week on average who have worked for their employer continuously for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due week |
| How much | 90% of average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 or 90% (whichever is lower) for 33 weeks (2026/27) |
| How it's paid | Through your employer's payroll like your wages |
| How to claim | Tell your employer at least 28 days before you want SMP to start |
Key points
Up to 39 weeks: Paid for up to 39 weeks.
Paid by employer: Your employer pays it and reclaims most of it from HMRC.
Shared Parental Pay: You can convert some weeks into Shared Parental Pay.
About Your employer (rules set by HMRC)
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is run by Your employer (rules set by HMRC). Claims are made free of charge through the official government channel.
We explain the rules independently and then send you to the official page to claim. We are not a government website.
Amounts and rules can change. The decision on your claim is made by Your employer (rules set by HMRC).