Eligible parents can get up to 37 weeks of statutory shared parental pay.
They can do this for any remaining weeks after the birth parent or primary adopter stops:
- maternity pay
- adoption pay
- maternity allowance
The birth parent or primary adopter can get up to 39 weeks of statutory maternity or adoption pay. They must take a minimum of 2 weeks' pay after the birth or adoption. After this they can end their pay so the remaining can be shared between the 2 parents. This leaves up to 37 weeks of pay to be shared.
For example, a birth parent stops their maternity pay after 30 weeks. They or their partner could get shared parental pay for the remaining 9 weeks.
The parent must tell their employer in writing that they are claiming shared parental pay. For example in a letter or email. They can do this at the same time as giving notice to take shared parental leave.
How much shared parental pay is
Statutory shared parental pay is either of the following, whichever is lower:
- £194.32 a week
- 90% of the employee's average weekly earnings
The rate is usually reviewed every year.
Checking eligibility for shared parental pay
For either parent to get shared parental pay, the birth parent or primary adopter must give notice to end their:
- maternity pay
- maternity allowance
- adoption pay
To get statutory shared parental pay, the parent must:
- have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks before the 15th week of the expected birth or adoption match date
- earn at least £129 a week, for 8 weeks before the 15th week of the expected birth or adoption match date
- still be working for the same employer a week before the first week they claim shared parental pay
A parent who will get shared parental pay must also:
- share responsibility with the other parent from the day of the child's birth or adoption placement
- give the correct notice, declaration and evidence when planning leave
The other parent must meet the employment and earnings test. This means they must have:
- worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before the expected birth date or adoption match date – it does not have to be for the same employer
- earned an average of at least £30 a week in any 13 weeks of those 66 weeks (that's £390 in total)
- the legal status of employee, worker or self-employed
Zero-hours or casual workers can be eligible for shared parental pay if they meet the above criteria.
People who are self-employed
Someone who is self-employed is not eligible for shared parental leave or pay. But if they pass the employment and earnings test, their partner could get shared parental leave and pay. This is as long as their partner is not also self-employed.
Check your eligibility
Check if you're eligible for shared parental pay on GOV.UK
Enhanced shared parental leave and pay
Some employers might offer more than the statutory minimum for shared parental leave and pay. This can be called 'enhanced' or 'contractual' leave and pay.
For example, shared parental leave with 26 weeks' full pay followed by 13 weeks' shared parental pay.
If an employer offers enhanced shared parental leave and pay, they should put information about this in:
- the employee's written statement of employment particulars
- the employer's pregnancy and maternity policy or shared parental leave policy