Statutory Adoption Pay - Can I get Statutory Adoption Pay?

To qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay, you must have been matched with a child for adoption by an adoption agency.

You must have been 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.

You must be earning an average of at least £123 a week (before tax). 

Where a couple adopts a child, only one parent is entitled to take adoption leave and claim Statutory Adoption Pay. The other parent may be able to get paternity leave and get Statutory Paternity Pay during this time. This includes same-sex couples.

If you don't use up all your Statutory Adoption Leave and Statutory Adoption Pay, and you go back to work, your partner may be able to take the remainder of the leave and claim your remaining pay to look after the child. This is called Shared Parental Leave and Pay.