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Statutory Adoption Pay
Statutory Adoption Pay is a weekly payment you get from your employer to help take time off work when you adopt a child.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay you must have been:
- matched with a child for adoption by an adoption agency
- employed by your present employer without a break for at least 26 weeks up to and including the week the adoption agency told you that you had been matched with a child for adoption
- earning an average of at least £90 a week (before tax)
How much do you get?
If your average weekly earnings are £90 or more (before tax), Statutory Adoption Pay is paid at £117.18 or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings if this is less.
If your child is due to be placed wth you for adoption on or before 31 March 2007 you will be entitled to receive Statutory Adoption Pay for up to 26 weeks if you qualify. If your Child is due to be placed with you for adoption on or after 1 April 2007 you will be entitled for Statutory Adoption pay for 39 weeks if you qualify.
How it's paid
Your employer will pay Statutory Adoption Pay to you in the same way and at the same time as your normal wages.
Statutory Adoption Pay is treated as normal pay and so they will also deduct tax and National Insurance as usual.
How and when to claim
To claim Statutory Adoption Pay you must give your employer documentary evidence from the adoption agency. This will usually be a 'matching certificate'.
You must also tell your employer when you intend to take leave within seven days of being told by the adoption agency that you've been matched with a child.
What else you need to know
You can choose when to start getting your Statutory Adoption Pay. It can start from the date of the child's placement or up to 14 days before the expected date of the placement.
If you have more than one job, you may be able to get Statutory Adoption Pay from each employer.
If your child is due to be placed with you for adoption on or before 31 March 2007 your employer can't pay you Statutory Adoption Pay for any week in which you do any work for your employer.
If your child is due to be placed with you for adoption on or after 1 April 2007 you may work for the employer paying you Statutory Adoption Pay for 10 days without losing any Statutory Adoption Pay
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