Statutory Adoption Pay
Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) is a weekly
payment you receive from your employer. It is designed to help you
take time off of work when you adopt a child.
Who can claim?
To qualify for SAP, 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 £102 a week (before tax)
How much will I receive?
If your average weekly earnings are £102 or
more (before tax), SAP is paid at £128.73. If you are paid
less than this, SAP will be paid at 90 per cent of your average
weekly earnings.
Your employer will pay SAP to you in the same
way and at the same time as your normal wages. However, it is worth
remembering that SAP is treated as normal pay, so tax and National
Insurance will be deducted.
How and when can I claim?
If you wish to claim SAP, you must provide
your employer with documentary evidence from the adoption agency
certifying that you will be adopting a child. This is generally in
the form of a matching certificate.
Once the adoption agency has confirmed that
you have been matched to a child, you have seven days to tell your
employer when you intend to take leave.