Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)
Last updated April 2006
This benefit is dealt with by the HM Revenue & Customs NI contributions office.
What is it?
- Paid to employees whose spouse or partner gives birth to or adopts a child
- If you have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing
- If you are the biological father or the mother's partner
- Paid by employers for up to two weeks.
Can I get it?
Were you:
- Employed by your present employer in the 15th week before the week your baby is due or employed in the week the adoption agency told your spouse or partner they had matched with a child?
- Employed by that employer without a break for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due, or employed up to and including the week your spouse or partner was matched with a child?
- Earning enough on average to be relevant for National Insurance (NI) purposes (this is a lower amount than the amount when you have to start paying NI contributions)?
If YES to all, claim SPP.
What else should I know?
You can choose when to start getting your SPP. Leave can start on any day of the week:
- on or following the child's birth, but must be completed within 8 weeks of the actual date of birth (or 8 weeks after the expected date of birth if the baby is born early); or
- from the date of the child's placement, but must be completed within 8 weeks of the date of placement
- you can take either one week or two consecutive weeks.
- your employer cannot pay you SPP for any week in which you are at work.
- if you have more than one job, you may be able to get SPP from each employer.
How much will I get?
If your average gross earnings are £84.00 a week or more, Statutory Paternity Pay is paid for 1 or 2 consecutive weeks at:
- £108.85 or 90% of your average weekly earnings if this is less than £108.85.
How do I claim?
You must tell your employer when you intend to take leave by the 15th week before your baby is due, or within 7 days of your spouse or partner being told by the adoption agency that they have been matched with a child. If you change your mind you must give 28 days notice.
Definitions
The European Economic Area (EEA) is made up of all European Community (EC) countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
UK means England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales.
Remember that this website is only a general guide to benefits and schemes, and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law. We have made every effort to ensure that the information on this website is correct at the date shown at the top of the page. However, changes in the law may make the website become gradually less accurate.