MA1 form for Maternity Allowance

Prepare the Test Period, earnings evidence and maternity documents before completing the official DWP claim form.

Official DWP claim form

Download or order the current MA1 form

Use the current claim form, notes and Test Period calculator published by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Open the official MA1 publication →

Which maternity route applies?

SMP from an employer

If you meet the Statutory Maternity Pay rules, your employer normally pays SMP through payroll instead of DWP paying Maternity Allowance.

MA after SMP refusal

If an employer refuses SMP, ask for SMP1 and follow the MA1 instructions for including it with the Maternity Allowance claim.

Self-employed or recently employed

Maternity Allowance can cover some people who do not qualify for SMP, but eligibility and the payment amount depend on the official work and earnings rules.

Prepare and send form MA1

1

Check when you can apply

Apply from 26 weeks of pregnancy and choose a payment start date allowed by the Maternity Allowance rules.
2

Calculate the Test Period

Use the official calculator to find the 66-week Test Period and gather details of every job and relevant self-employment in that period.
3

Collect the evidence

Follow the current notes for payslips, MATB1 or other due-date proof, proof of birth where needed, and SMP1 if an employer refused SMP.
4

Complete and post the claim

Use a compatible PDF reader on a desktop or laptop, or complete a printed form. Send it to the address shown on the current MA1 form.

The interactive PDF has device limits

GOV.UK says MA1 cannot be completed on a mobile phone or tablet. Download it on a desktop or laptop and open it in a recent PDF reader, or print it. Do not enter personal information on UKTax.tools.

Frequently asked questions

What is form MA1?

MA1 is the Department for Work and Pensions claim form for Maternity Allowance in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate claim process.

When can I claim Maternity Allowance?

You can apply once you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start from the 11th week before the baby is due up to the day after the birth.

Is there an MA1 claim deadline?

Claim within 3 months of the date you want Maternity Allowance to start to receive the full amount you are entitled to. A later claim can mean losing money.

What is the Maternity Allowance Test Period?

The Test Period is the 66 weeks before the week the baby is due. MA1 asks about employment and earnings during that period; GOV.UK provides a calculator for the exact dates.

What documents go with MA1?

The official instructions require proof of income and the baby's due date, and may require proof of birth and form SMP1 if an employer refused Statutory Maternity Pay. Follow the current MA1 notes for original-document requirements.

Can I complete MA1 on a phone or tablet?

No. GOV.UK says to use a desktop or laptop with a suitable PDF reader, or print the form and complete it by hand. The form should not be completed in a mobile browser.

Can I save the MA1 form?

The current interactive PDF can save entered data when downloaded and opened in a recent compatible PDF reader. GOV.UK warns that browser viewers, macOS Preview and some other readers will not save it correctly.

Official sources

Related Calculators

Maternity Pay Calculator

Statutory Maternity Pay, enhanced employer pay, and the 52-week leave timeline.

SMP1 Form Guide

Employer decision and deadlines when an employee is not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.

MATB1 Maternity Certificate Guide

Get proof of pregnancy from a doctor or midwife and use it for SMP or Maternity Allowance.

Learn More

SMP Rate 2026-27 UK: £194.32/week + Eligibility Rules Explained

Statutory Maternity Pay 2026-27 is £194.32/week from the 7th week of leave, with 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings first. Lower Earnings Limit £129/week. Full qualifying conditions, employer reclaim, and what counts as continuous employment.

Maternity Leave Tax & NI 2026-27 UK: PAYE on SMP, Pension, KIT Days

SMP is fully taxable via PAYE and subject to Class 1 NI like normal pay. Tax code shifts mid-leave, the pension auto-enrolment asymmetry, KIT days at full salary, and the year-end refund pattern when SMP straddles the tax year boundary.