Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid to you by your employer when you take time off to have a baby.

You have to qualify for SMP and how much you get may change after the first 6 weeks.

SMP is paid:

for up to 39 weeks
in the same way as your wages are usually paid

You get SMP even if you don’t return to work after the baby is born.

What you'll get

Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks, usually as follows:

the first 6 weeks - 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax
the next 33 weeks - £135.45 or 90% of your AWE (whichever is lower)

You can’t get less than the statutory amount but you can get more if your company has a maternity scheme.

Use the maternity pay calculator (online form calculator), to work out how much you could get.

How you’re paid

The money is paid in the same way as your wages (eg monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

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Eligibility

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you must:

have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth - known as the ‘qualifying week’
earn on average at least £107 a week
give the correct notice
give proof you’re pregnant

Use the maternity pay calculator (online form calculator), to work out the qualifying week and how much you could get.

If you go back to work

You can work up to 10 days while you get SMP without losing your entitlement. These are called Keeping in Touch (KIT) days.

If you’re not eligible

Your employer must give you form SMP1 explaining why you can’t get SMP within 7 days of making this decision.

You can apply for Maternity Allowance instead.

Download ‘Form SMP1, Non-payment of Statutory Maternity Pay’ (PDF, 59KB)

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1 How to claim

You must tell your employer the following information at least 28 days before you want your SMP to start:

that you want to stop work to have a baby
the day you want your payments to start

Your employer can ask for this in writing.

They should confirm within 28 days how much you’ll get and when your SMP will start and stop. However, if they decide that you’re not eligible, they must let you know this within 7 days of making this decision.

Proof you’re pregnant

You won’t get SMP if you don’t provide proof that the baby is due.

You must give your employer proof that your baby is due (and the actual date of birth if premature). You can use a doctor’s letter or a MATB1 certificate (midwives and doctors usually give you these 20 weeks before the due date).

Change your start date

You can change the date your SMP starts. Usually, you must give your employer 28 days’ notice. If you don’t they can refuse to pay you SMP.