1. What are maternity, paternity and other parental benefits

Statutory maternity pay

You can get statutory maternity pay (SMP) for 39 weeks if you are pregnant or have just had a baby, have an employer and earn at least £120 a week (April 2021 rate).

Maternity allowance

If you cannot get SMP but you have recently worked, either employed or self-employed, you may be able to get maternity allowance (MA) for 39 weeks. You may also qualify if you have helped your partner with her/his self-employment. See CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook for details.

Statutory paternity pay

You can get statutory paternity pay (SPP) for two weeks if your partner is having a baby and you are taking leave from work to care for her or for the child. You can also get statutory shared parental pay (SSPP) in some circumstances. See CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook for details. Unmarried partners, including same-sex partners, can claim SPP.

Statutory adoption pay

You can get statutory adoption pay (SAP) for 39 weeks if you are adopting a child and are earning at least £120 a week from employment (April 2021 rate). If a couple (including same-sex couples) are adopting a child, one can claim SAP and the other can claim SPP for two weeks (or SSPP, in some circumstances).

Statutory shared parental pay

You or your partner can get statutory shared parental pay (SSPP) instead of SMP, MA or SAP in certain circumstances.

Statutory parental bereavement pay

You can get statutory parental bereavement pay for up to two weeks if a child dies or is stillborn and you are earning at least £120 a week from employment (April 2021 rate).