Maternity Allowance (MA) If you do not qualify for SMP (maybe because you have not worked for your employer long enough or your earnings are too low) you may qualify for MA instead. You should qualify for MA if:

• You meet all of the conditions for SMP but have not been working for your employer for 26 weeks, but have worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks prior to the date when your baby is due (even if this was with different employers) you can get MA at £106 a week, or 90% of your average earnings, whichever is the lower sum.
• Your earnings are too low to get SMP (less than an average of £82 a week) but are an average of at least £30 a week from one or more jobs, you can get MA at 90% of your average earnings.

To claim MA send form MA1 (obtainable from your local Jobcentre Plus office or ante natal clinics) with your maternity certificate form MAT B1 to your local Jobcentre Plus office. If you are an employee you will also need to provide form SMP1 which you should get from your employer.

If you are on a low income you may be able to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500. Speak to your midwife or contact your local Jobcentre Plus for more information.