Put simply, maternity allowance (MA) is a weekly benefit paid to some women, who are either pregnant or have just given birth. 

Jobcentre Plus is the organisation which provides women with this allowance, which can be up to £145.18 – or 90% of your earning – for 39 weeks. 

MA can be claimed once you are 26 weeks pregnant, and can be paid 11 weeks prior to your due date – depending on eligibility. If you want to check the criteria, and find out more about this allowance, you can read the full article here.