Maternity, paternity and sick pay: SMP, Maternity Allowance (39 weeks), paternity pay, Sick Pay (£123.25) and the Sure Start grant (£500)
Published: Last checked: October 20263 min read
Short answer
GOV.UK: Statutory Maternity Pay is 90% of average earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 (or 90%, whichever is lower) for 33 weeks. Maternity Allowance lasts 39 weeks; Sick Pay is up to £123.25 a week for 28 weeks. A £500 Sure Start grant may be possible for a first child.
In short
- This post is general information and does not assess anyone's personal situation. It is based on GOV.UK and the other official pages as they were on 18 October 2026. Amounts are updated each April and rules can change.
- Employees get statutory pay from their employer for maternity, paternity and sickness. For people who cannot get it there are state payments such as Maternity Allowance.
- GOV.UK's public funds list says contribution-based and statutory payments such as State Pension, Statutory Sick Pay and Maternity Allowance are not counted as public funds, so they are among the payments available even where an NRPF condition applies.
The rest is for members
Sign up for free to read the whole post.
Sign up and keep readingAlready a member? Log in
Official sources
This answer is based on the pages below. Check the source yourself before you decide.
- GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave, pay
- GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave, eligibility
- GOV.UK: Maternity Allowance
- GOV.UK: Paternity pay and leave, pay
- GOV.UK: Statutory Sick Pay
- GOV.UK: Sure Start Maternity Grant
Source links are for members. Sign up for free