• Help

• FAQ
• Quiz
• User Guide
• Direct Debit Instruction

Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave & Pay

• How much paternity leave is a parent entitled to?
• Can an employee take odd days paternity leave?
• Does an employee have to tell the employer when he wants his paternity leave to start?
• Can you help me calculate my employee's statutory entitlements?
• We have an employee working full time with another employer and part time for us. His partner has had a baby and he is now on paternity leave with pay from the main employer. Is he entitled to paternity pay from us?
• Who is entitled to maternity leave?
• Who is entitled to maternity pay?
• Is there any assistance for a woman who does not qualify for statutory maternity pay (SMP)?

  If a woman does not qualify for SMP, she may qualify for a Maternity Allowance (MA) instead. She must meet all of the criteria for SMP but may not have been working for her current employer for 26 weeks. She must however have worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks prior to the date when the baby is due (even if this was with different employers) and earned at least £30 a week. If this is the case she will be able to claim MA at £117.18 a week (to be reviewed April 2009), or 90% of average earnings, whichever is the lower sum.

  To claim MA send form MA1 (obtainable from your local Benefits Agency office or ante natal clinics) with your maternity certificate form MAT B1 to your local Benefits Agency office.

  Women on a very low income may be able to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

• How much maternity leave is a woman entitled to?