Statutory Adoption Pay

If you are adopting a child you may be entitled to receive Statutory Adoption Pay from your employer for up to twenty-six weeks. You should qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay if:

• an adoption agency has matched you with a child
• you have been working for your current employer continuously for at least twenty-six weeks, including the week when
• you were notified of the match by the agency
• you are earning at or above the Lower Earnings Limit, currently set at £87 a week

As soon as you have been notified that your adoption agency has matched you with a child, you must notify your employer as to when you wish to take leave. You will also need to give your employer written confirmation of the adoption from the adoption agency. Your employer must know at least twenty-eight days in advance of the date at which you wish to begin receiving Statutory Adoption Pay. You are not able to receive Statutory Adoption Pay when you are at work, but if you are on leave you can choose for Statutory Adoption Pay to begin on the date that the child is placed with you, or up to two weeks before this date.

If you work for more than one employer, you may be entitled to receive Statutory Adoption Pay from each employer. Statutory Adoption Pay is taxable income. Currently Statutory Adoption Pay is the lesser of:

• £108.85
• 90% of your average earnings (gross) each week
  

If you consider you are entitled to receive Statutory Adoption Pay, you must inform your employer and ask them what procedure they require you to follow. You should be paid your money at the same time as you would usually be paid by your employer, but you will need to ask them if they have any special rules regarding when they will pay your Statutory Adoption Pay. If you need further assistance, you can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 for advice.