Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)
[ch 6: page 64]To get SAP, an adoptive parent must:
• be an employee;
• earn at least £112 a week in the eight weeks leading up to the matching date;
• have 26 weeks’ continuous service up to the week of matching with the child;
• provide proof of adoption; and
• give the correct notice of intention to take adoption leave.
Like SMP, SAP is 90% of the primary adopter’s average earnings for six weeks, followed by 33 weeks of SAP at a flat rate of £139.58 a week, or 90% of average earnings if less.
Qualifying surrogate parents can claim statutory adoption pay. For detailed information, see the TUC’s guide, Time off and Pay for Parents having a child through Surrogacy.