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SMP and SPP

Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay Statutory Maternity Pay What is it? Statutory Maternity pay is a payment that is made by your employer, and will provide you with an income while you are on Maternity leave. In order to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you must satisfy to rules: You must have been employed for 26 weeks up to and including your qualifying week. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth. You must, on average, earn at least as much as the lower earnings limit for National Insurance. This amount is currently £75.00 a week. If, for any reason, you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, your employer should give you form SMP1, which explains why your employer thinks that you do not qualify. You should then send this form, to the Social Security/Jobcentre plus office with a Maternity Allowance claim form. Some employers have maternity policies that pay more than Statutory Maternity Pay. Ask your employer or check your contract of employment to see what they offer. How much will I get? Statutory Maternity Pay can be paid for up to 26 weeks. The first 6 weeks are paid at a rate of 90% of your average weekly earnings. The remaining 20 weeks are paid at a flat rate of £108.85 per week. Statutory Paternity Pay Statutory Paternity Pay gives a right to two weeks paid Paternity leave to parents. This payment will be at the same standard rate as Statutory Maternity Pay.