Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)

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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.