Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Overview

You can get £96.35 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You must be eligible for SSP.

You cannot get less than the statutory amount. You can get more if your company has a sick pay scheme (or ‘occupational scheme’) - check your employment contract.

There are different sick pay rules for agricultural workers.

There’s a separate guide on Statutory Sick Pay if you’re an employer.

If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

You could get SSP if you’re self-isolating because:

you or someone you live with has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve been in contact with someone with COVID-19

someone in your support bubble (or your ‘extended household’ if you live in Scotland or Wales) has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

you’ve been advised by a doctor or healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery

You could get SSP for every day you’re off work.

You cannot get SSP if you’re self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK and do not need to self-isolate for any other reason.

If your illness is not related to COVID-19

If your illness is not related to COVID-19, you can get SSP from the fourth day you are off work sick.

What you'll get

You can get £96.35 a week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks.

If you’re off work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

How many days you can get SSP for depends on why you’re off work.

If you’re self-isolating because you or someone you live with has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating if you started on or after 13 March.

If you started self-isolating before 13 March, you can get SSP from:

the fourth day you were sick - if you had COVID-19 symptoms

13 March - if you were self-isolating because someone you live with had symptoms

Check you’re eligible for SSP.

If you’re self-isolating because of contact with someone with COVID-19

You should self-isolate if you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating from 28 May.

If you’re self-isolating because someone in your ‘support bubble’ or extended household has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

You should self-isolate if someone in your ‘support bubble’ (or your ‘extended household’ if you live in Scotland or Wales) has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating from 6 July.

You are not eligible for SSP for any days away from work before 6 July.

If you’re self-isolating before surgery

If you’ve been advised by your doctor or a healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery, you can get SSP.

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days (including non-working days) to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you are self-isolating.

You are not eligible for SSP for any day you were self-isolating before 26 August.

If you’re off sick for another reason

You can get SSP from the fourth day you’re off sick.

The days you’re off sick when you normally would have worked are called ‘qualifying days’. If you’re eligible, you’ll get SSP for all your qualifying days, except for the first 3. These are called ‘waiting days’.

You only get paid for waiting days if you’ve already received SSP within the last 8 weeks, and that included a 3-day waiting period.

Check you’re eligible for SSP.

How you’re paid

SSP is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages, for example weekly or monthly.

If you have more than one job you may get SSP from each employer.

Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

If you think you are not getting the right amount of SSP, talk to your employer. If you’re still not happy, contact the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enquiry line.

Eligibility

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you must:

be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer

earn an average of at least £120 per week

have been ill or self-isolating for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days)

Agency workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.

Telling your employer

You must usually tell your employer you’re unable to work before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one).

You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer in time.

Exceptions

You will not qualify if you:

have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks)

are getting Statutory Maternity Pay

are self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK and do not need to self-isolate for any other reason

You can still qualify if you started your job recently and you have not received 8 weeks’ pay yet. Ask your employer to find out more.

You can still qualify if you’re on furlough.

Linked periods of sickness

If you have regular periods of sickness, they may count as ‘linked’. To be linked, the periods must:

last 4 or more days each

be 8 weeks or less apart

You’re no longer eligible for SSP if you have a continuous series of linked periods that lasts more than 3 years.

Fit notes and asking for proof

You only have to give your employer a fit note (sometimes called a sick note) if you’re off sick for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days).

You can get a fit note from your doctor or hospital doctor. If your employer agrees, a similar document can be provided by a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead. This is called an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report.

Proof if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’re self-isolating and cannot work because of COVID-19, you can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111 if you’re off work for 7 or more days. You do not have to go to your doctor or a hospital.

If you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19, your notification is proof.

If you’ve been advised by your doctor or healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery, your letter confirming the date of your procedure is proof.

Proof if you were ‘shielding’ because of COVID-19

Shielding has stopped in the UK.

You can no longer apply for a new shielding note or a replacement shielding note.

If you’re not eligible or your SSP ends

You may be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You can use form SSP1 to support your application.

If your SSP is ending your employer must send you form SSP1 either:

within 7 days of your SSP ending, if it ends unexpectedly while you’re still sick

on or before the beginning of the 23rd week, if your SSP is expected to end before your sickness does

If you do not qualify for SSP your employer must send you form SSP1 within 7 days of you going off sick.

How to claim

To claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), tell your employer by the deadline. Check with your employer how you should tell them.

If you cannot work for 7 or more days (including non-working days) you need:

an ‘isolation note’ if you’re unable to work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

your notification from the NHS or public health authorities if you’ve been told to self-isolate because you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19

a ‘fit note’ (or sick note) if you’re off sick for another reason

a letter confirming the date of your procedure if you’ve been advised to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery

If you’re unhappy with a decision

Talk to your employer if you think:

their decision not to pay you SSP is wrong

you’re not getting the right amount of SSP

You can ask them for a reason.

If this does not sort the problem, contact the HMRC Statutory Payment Disputes Team.


Maternity pay and leave

Overview

When you take time off to have a baby you might be eligible for:

Statutory Maternity Leave

Statutory Maternity Pay

paid time off for antenatal care

extra help from the government

There are rules on when and how to claim your paid leave and if you want to change your dates.

You can work out your maternity pay and leave online.

You may also be eligible to get Shared Parental Leave and Pay.

Employment rights when on leave

Your employment rights are protected while on Statutory Maternity Leave. This includes your right to:

pay rises

build up (accrue) holiday

return to work

Leave

Statutory Maternity Leave is 52 weeks. It’s made up of:

Ordinary Maternity Leave - first 26 weeks

Additional Maternity Leave - last 26 weeks

You do not have to take 52 weeks but you must take 2 weeks’ leave after your baby is born (or 4 weeks if you work in a factory).

Use the maternity planner to work out the dates for your ordinary and additional leave.

You may be entitled to take some of your leave as Shared Parental Leave.

Start date and early births

Usually, the earliest you can start your leave is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.

Leave will also start:

the day after the birth if the baby is early

Use the maternity planner to work out the earliest date your maternity leave can start.

Change your date for returning to work

You must give your employer at least 8 weeks’ notice if you want to change your return to work date.

Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get:

90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks

£151.97or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

SMP is paid in the same way as your wages (for example monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

Use the maternity pay calculator to work out how much you could get.

If you take Shared Parental Leave you’ll get Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). ShPP is £151.97 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Start date

SMP usually starts when you take your maternity leave.

It starts automatically if you’re off work for a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before the week (Sunday to Saturday) that your baby is due.

Problems and disputes

Ask your employer to explain your SMP if you think it’s not right. If you disagree about the amount or your employer cannot pay (for example because they’re insolvent), contact the Statutory Payment Disputes Team.

Eligibility

Statutory Maternity Leave

You qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave if:

you’re an employee not a ‘worker’

you give your employer the correct notice

It does not matter how long you’ve been with your employer, how many hours you work or how much you get paid.

You cannot get Statutory Maternity Leave if you have a child through surrogacy - you could get Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay instead.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

To qualify for SMP you must:

earn on average at least £120 a week

give the correct notice

give proof you’re pregnant

have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth

If you usually earn an average of £120 or more a week, and you only earned less in some weeks because you were paid but not working (‘on furlough’) under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you may still be eligible.

You cannot get SMP if you go into police custody during your maternity pay period. It will not restart when you’re discharged.

Early births or you lose your baby

You can still get Statutory Maternity Leave and SMP if your baby:

is born early

is stillborn after the start of your 24th week of pregnancy

dies after being born

If you’re not eligible for SMP

Your employer must give you form SMP1 explaining why you cannot get SMP within 7 days of making their decision. You may be eligible for Maternity Allowance instead.

How to claim

Statutory Maternity Leave

At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want to start your maternity leave. Your employer can ask for this in writing.

Your employer must write to you within 28 days confirming your start and end dates.

Use the maternity planner to work out when you must claim your maternity leave.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Tell your employer you want to stop work to have a baby and the day you want your SMP to start. You must give them at least 28 days’ notice (in writing if they ask for it) and proof that you’re pregnant.

Your employer must confirm within 28 days how much SMP you’ll get and when it will start and stop.

If they decide you’re not eligible, they must give you form SMP1 within 7 days of making their decision and explain why.

Proof you’re pregnant

You need to give your employer proof of the pregnancy to get SMP. You do not need it for maternity leave.

Within 21 days of your SMP start date (or as soon as possible if the baby’s born early) give your employer either:

a letter from your doctor or midwife

your MATB1 certificate - doctors and midwives will give you this no more than 20 weeks before the due date

You will not get SMP if you do not give your employer proof that the baby is due.

Extra help

Maternity benefits

Use a benefits calculator to see what help you can get from:

Universal Credit

Child Benefit

Child Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit - this can continue for 39 weeks after you go on maternity leave

Income Support - you may get this while you’re not working

You could get a £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant (usually if it’s your first child).

If you’re not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay, you could get Maternity Allowance from the government.

Company maternity schemes

You might get more than the statutory amount of leave and pay if your employer has a company maternity scheme. They cannot offer you less than the statutory amount.

Extra leave

You could get 18 weeks’ unpaid parental leave after the birth - this may be restricted to 4 weeks per year.


Maternity Allowance

Overview

Maternity Allowance is usually paid to you if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

The amount you can get depends on your eligibility.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You can claim Maternity Allowance as soon as you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start 11 weeks before your baby is due.

Any money you get can affect your other benefits.

What you'll get

You could get either:

£151.97 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks

£27 a week for 39 weeks

£27 a week for 14 weeks

Maternity Allowance is paid every 2 or 4 weeks.

You can claim Maternity Allowance once you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start 11 weeks before your baby is due.

Use the maternity entitlement calculator to work out how much you could get.

How you’re paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Impact on other benefits

Maternity Allowance will not affect your tax credits but it will affect how much you get for:

Council Tax Reduction

Housing Benefit

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Income Support

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) - this will stop if you get Maternity Allowance

bereavement benefits

Carer’s Allowance

Universal Credit

The benefit cap

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

Some individual benefits are not affected, but it may affect the total amount of benefit you get.

Eligibility

You can use the maternity entitlement calculator to check your eligibility.

Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks

You might get Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks if one of the following applies:

you’re employed, but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay

you’re self-employed

you’ve recently stopped working

In the 66 weeks before your baby’s due, you must also have been:

employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks

earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks - the weeks do not have to be together

You may still qualify if you’ve recently stopped working. It does not matter if you had different jobs or periods of unemployment.

If you usually earn £30 or more a week and only earned less in some weeks because you were paid but not working (‘on furlough’) under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you may still be eligible. You must give details in your claim form.

If you’re self-employed

To get the full amount of Maternity Allowance, you must have paid Class 2 National Insurance for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before your baby’s due.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will check if you’ve paid enough when you make your claim. They’ll write to you if you have not.

If you have not paid enough Class 2 National Insurance to get the full rate (£151.97 a week), you’ll get £27 a week for 39 weeks. You still need to meet all the other eligibility criteria to get this amount.

You may be able to get the full rate by making early National Insurance payments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you a letter to tell you how.

You’ll need to pay using the reference number in the letter to get the full rate, even if you’ve recently made a payment through Self Assessment.

Maternity Allowance for 14 weeks

You might get Maternity Allowance for 14 weeks if for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due:

you’re married or in a civil partnership

you’re not employed or self-employed

you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner

the work you do is for the business and unpaid

your spouse or civil partner is registered as self-employed with HMRC and should pay Class 2 National Insurance

your spouse or civil partner is working as self-employed person

you’re not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay or the higher amount of Maternity Allowance (for the same pregnancy)

If you lose the baby

You may still qualify if the baby is either:

stillborn from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy

born alive at any point during the pregnancy

Change of circumstances

Report any changes to your circumstances to your local Jobcentre Plus as they can affect how much you get. For example, if you go back to work.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

How to claim

You’ll need a Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form. You can either:

print it and fill it in

fill it in online and print it

order a form if you cannot print it

The form has notes to help you fill it in.

Send it to the address on the form.

If you’ve arranged to pay your Self Assessment tax and National Insurance bill in instalments because of coronavirus (COVID-19), your application might be rejected. Contact HMRC before applying for Maternity Allowance.

Alternative formats

Call Jobcentre Plus to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

What to send with your claim form

You need to provide:

proof of your income, such as original payslips or a Certificate of Small Earnings Exemption (if applicable for the 2014 to 2015 tax year)

proof of the baby’s due date, such as a letter from the doctor or midwife or your MATB1 certificate

your SMP1 form - only if you were refused Statutory Maternity Pay by your employer

If your proof of income includes times you were paid but not working (‘on furlough’) under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, mention this in the ‘additional information’ section of your form. Include the dates that you were on the scheme and how much (as a percentage) of your normal pay you were actually paid.

You may need to give more information about your partner’s self-employed business and what you do if you’re applying for Maternity Allowance for 14 weeks.

When you’ll hear about your claim

You should get a decision on your claim within 20 working days.

If you’re eligible, a form will be sent to you confirming your entitlement and asking you to confirm your last day of employment before leave.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.


Sure Start Maternity Grant

Overview

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

If you live in Scotland you cannot get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You can apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead.

You usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply:

you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already

you or your partner already get certain benefits

You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 6 months after the baby’s birth.

You do not have to pay the grant back and it will not affect your other benefits or tax credits.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

What you'll get

A Sure Start Maternity Grant is £500 and you do not have to pay it back.

You may not get a grant if you already have children.

If you already have children under 16

You can only get a grant if at least one of the following applies:

you’ve been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection and you have a child or children from before you arrived in the UK

Children under 16 | Grant if you have twins | Grant if you have triplets

You have 1 or more (and none of them are from multiple births) | £500 | £1,000

You’ve already had twins | £0 | £500

You’ve already had triplets | £0 | £0

How you’re paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Eligibility

Usually, to qualify for a Sure Start Maternity Grant there must be no other children in your family. You or your partner must also get one of these benefits:

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element

Universal Credit

You may also qualify if you’re getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.

If you already have children under 16

You may still be able to get a grant if any of the following apply:

the child you’re caring for is someone else’s (but not your partner’s) and the child was over 12 months old when the arrangement started

You must claim by the deadline.

If you’re not giving birth

You may also be able to get a grant if you’re adopting or becoming a surrogate parent.

The baby must be less than 1 year old on the date you claim. You must be receiving one of the benefits above and one of the following must also apply:

you’ve become responsible for the baby and you’re not the mother

the baby has been placed with you for adoption

you’ve got permission to adopt a baby from abroad

you’ve got a parental order for a surrogate birth

you’ve been appointed as guardian

you’ve an adoption or a residence order

How to claim

You can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. The latest you can claim is 6 months after your baby is born.

If you’re becoming responsible for a child, you must claim within 6 months of this happening.

Claim by post

Print out and fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form.

Get a health professional such as a doctor or midwife to fill in the statement on page 10 of the form. You can send your form without this statement if necessary to meet the deadline. If you do this, you’ll be contacted about arranging the statement at a later date.

Post the form to ‘Freepost DWP SSMG’ - you do not need a postcode or a stamp.

There’s a different form and postal address if you live in Northern Ireland.

You’ll get a letter telling you if your claim was successful.

If you get Universal Credit, you will not get a decision on your claim until after your next payment.

Get help with your claim

Call the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline.

You can also contact Jobcentre Plus.

Alternative formats

Call the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.


Paternity pay and leave

Overview

When you take time off because your partner’s having a baby, adopting a child or having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement you might be eligible for:

1 or 2 weeks’ paid Paternity Leave

Paternity Pay

Shared Parental Leave and Pay

You may not get both leave and pay, and there are rules on how to claim and when your leave can start.

Employment rights when on leave

Your employment rights are protected while on paternity leave. This includes your right to:

pay rises

build up (accrue) holiday

return to work

You can get time off to accompany your partner (or the surrogate mother) to 2 antenatal appointments.

If you’re adopting a child, you can get time off to attend 2 adoption appointments after you’ve been matched with a child.

Leave

Paternity leave

You can choose to take either 1 or 2 weeks. You get the same amount of leave if your partner has a multiple birth (such as twins).

You must take your leave in one go. A week is the same amount of days that you normally work in a week - for example, a week is 2 days if you only work on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Start and end dates

Leave cannot start before the birth. It must end within 56 days of the birth (or due date if the baby is early).

You must give your employer 28 days’ notice if you want to change your start date.

You do not have to give a precise date when you want to take leave (for example 1 February). Instead you can give a general time, such as the day of the birth or 1 week after the birth.

The rules are different if you adopt.

Shared Parental Leave

You may also be eligible for Shared Parental Leave (SPL). You cannot take Paternity Leave after you take SPL.

Leave for antenatal appointments

You can take unpaid leave to accompany a pregnant woman to 2 antenatal appointments if you’re:

the baby’s father

the expectant mother’s spouse or civil partner

in a long-term relationship with the expectant mother

the intended parent (if you’re having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement)

You can take up to 6 and a half hours per appointment. Your employer can choose to give you longer.

You can apply for leave immediately if you’re a permanent employee. You’ll need to have been doing a job for 12 weeks before you qualify if you’re an agency worker.

Pay

The statutory weekly rate of Paternity Pay is £151.97, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

Any money you get is paid in the same way as your wages, for example monthly or weekly. Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

Start and end dates

The money is usually paid while you’re on leave. Your employer must confirm the start and end dates for your Paternity Pay when you claim it.

To change the start date you must give your employer 28 days’ notice.

You could get more pay if your employer has a company paternity scheme - they cannot offer you less than the statutory amounts.

Eligibility

You must be taking time off to look after the child and be one of the following:

the father

the husband or partner of the mother (or adopter) - this includes same-sex partners

the child’s adopter

There are extra conditions you need to meet to qualify for leave and pay.

You cannot get Paternity Pay and Leave if you’ve taken paid time off to attend adoption appointments.

Paternity Leave

You must:

be an employee

give the correct notice

have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’

The ‘qualifying week’ is the 15th week before the baby is due. This is different if you adopt.

Paternity Pay

You must:

be employed by your employer up to the date of birth

earn at least £120 a week (before tax)

give the correct notice

If you usually earn an average of £120 or more a week, and you only earned less in some weeks because you were paid but not working (‘on furlough’) under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you may still be eligible.

If you lose your baby

You can still get Paternity Leave or Pay if your baby is:

stillborn from 24 weeks of pregnancy

born alive at any point during the pregnancy

If you’re not eligible

Your employer must tell you within 28 days if you do not qualify and why using form SPP1.

How to claim

Claim Paternity Leave and Pay through your employer. You do not need to give proof of the pregnancy or birth.

The rules and forms are different if you adopt.

Paternity Leave

At least 15 weeks before the baby is due, tell your employer:

the due date

when you want your leave to start, for example the day of the birth or the week after the birth

if you want 1 or 2 weeks’ leave

Your employer can ask for this in writing. You can ask for Paternity Pay at the same time, if you use form SC3 (or your employer’s own version).

Use the paternity planner to find out when you need to claim Paternity Leave by.

Paternity Pay

At least 15 weeks before the baby is due, give your employer form SC3 (or their own version).

Adoption and surrogacy

Eligibility

You must have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks by the ‘matching week’. For adoption this is either:

the end of the week you’re matched with the child (UK adoptions)

the date the child enters the UK or when you want your pay to start (overseas adoptions)

You must also meet the other eligibility conditions for paternity leave or pay.

Start and end dates - Paternity Leave

Your period of Paternity Leave can start:

on the date of placement

an agreed number of days after the date of placement

on the date the child arrives in the UK or an agreed number of days after this (overseas adoptions only)

the day the child’s born or the day after if you’re working that day (surrogate parents)

Leave must be taken within 56 days of the date of placement or the child’s arrival in the UK (overseas adoptions).

How to claim - Paternity Leave or Pay

You must use form SC4 (or your employer’s own version) for:

leave - within 7 days of your co-adopter or partner being matched with a child

pay - 28 days before you want your pay to start

For overseas adoptions the form and notice period is different. The process is explained on form SC5.

Proof of adoption

You must give your employer proof of adoption to qualify for Paternity Pay. Proof is not needed for Paternity Leave unless your employer asks for it.

Proof can be a letter from your adoption agency or the matching certificate.

You’ll need to provide this information within 28 days.

Surrogacy arrangements

To be eligible for Paternity Pay and Leave if you use a surrogate to have a baby, you must:

be in a couple

be responsible for the child (with your partner)

have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the ‘qualifying week’ (the 15th week before the baby is due)

At least 15 weeks before the due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want to start your leave  - they may ask for this in writing.

Your employer may ask for a written statement to confirm you intend to apply for a parental order in the 6 months after the child’s birth. You must sign this in the presence of a legal professional.

You cannot get Paternity Leave if you take Shared Parental Leave.


Shared Parental Leave and Pay

How it works

You and your partner may be able to get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if you’re:

having a baby

using a surrogate to have a baby

adopting a child

You can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between you.

You need to share the pay and leave in the first year after your child is born or placed with your family.

You can use SPL to take leave in blocks separated by periods of work, or take it all in one go. You can also choose to be off work together or to stagger the leave and pay.

To get SPL and ShPP, you and your partner need to:

meet the eligibility criteria - there’s different criteria for birth parents and criteria for adoptive parents or parents using a surrogate

give notice to your employers

Eligibility for birth parents

To be eligible for Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP), both parents must:

share responsibility for the child at birth

meet work and pay criteria - these are different depending on which parent wants to use the shared parental leave and pay

You’re not eligible if you started sharing responsibility for the child after it was born.

The eligibility criteria are different if you’re adoptive parents or parents using a surrogate.

You can check if you can get SPL and ShPP. You’ll need to know:

your child’s due date or birth date

your and your partner’s employment status and earnings

if you and your partner can get Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Paternity Pay

If both parents want to share the SPL and ShPP

To be eligible for SPL and ShPP, you and your partner must:

have been employed continuously by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date

stay with the same employer until you start your SPL

To be eligible for SPL, you must be ‘employees’ (not ‘workers’) - check your employment status. If either of you is a ‘worker’, you might be able to share ShPP but not SPL.

To be eligible for ShPP, you must each earn on average at least £120 a week. If you usually earn an average of £120 or more a week each, and you only earned less in some weeks because you were on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), you may still be eligible.

If the mother’s partner wants to take the SPL and ShPP

For the mother’s partner to take SPL and ShPP, both the mother and the mother’s partner must meet some eligibility requirements.

The mother must:

have been working for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before the week the baby’s due (the 26 weeks do not need to be in a row)

have earned at least £390 in total across any 13 of the 66 weeks

The mother’s partner must:

stay with the same employer until they start their SPL

To be eligible for SPL, the partner must be an ‘employee’ (not a ‘worker’) - check their employment status. If the partner is a ‘worker’, they might be able to get ShPP but not SPL.

To be eligible for ShPP, the partner must earn on average at least £120 a week. If either person earned less than the amount needed because they were on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, they may still be eligible.

If the mother wants to take the SPL and ShPP

For the mother to take SPL and ShPP, both the mother’s partner and the mother must meet some eligibility criteria.

The mother’s partner must:

have earned at least £390 in total in 13 of the 66 weeks (add up the highest paying weeks, they do not need to be in a row)

The mother must:

To be eligible for SPL, the mother must be an ‘employee’ (not a ‘worker’) - check their employment status. If the mother is a ‘worker’, they might be able to get ShPP but not SPL.

To be eligible for ShPP, the mother must earn on average at least £120 a week. If either person earned less than the amount needed because they were on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, they may still be eligible.

Eligibility for adopters or parents using a surrogate

To be eligible for Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP), both adoptive parents or both parents using a surrogate must:

share responsibility for the child on the child’s due date or birth date if you’re using a surrogate, or the date they’re placed with you if you’re adopting

meet the work and earnings criteria - these are different depending on which one of you wants to use the shared parental leave and pay

The eligibility criteria are different if you’re birth parents.

You can check if you can get SPL and ShPP. You’ll need to know:

your child’s due date or birth date if you’re using a surrogate, or the match date if you’re adopting

your and your partner’s employment status and earnings

if you and your partner can get Statutory Adoption Pay or Statutory Paternity Pay

If both parents want to share the SPL and ShPP

To be eligible for SPL and ShPP, you and your partner must:

have been employed continuously by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the week your child was placed with your family

stay with the same employer until you start your SPL

If only one of the parents wants to take the SPL and ShPP

Both parents must meet some eligibility criteria.

The parent who wants to take the leave and pay must:

stay with the same employer until they start their SPL

To be eligible for SPL, they must be an ‘employee’ (not a ‘worker’) - check their employment status. If they are a ‘worker’, they might be able to get ShPP but not SPL.

To be eligible for ShPP, they must earn on average at least £120 each a week.

The other parent must:

have been working for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before the week the child was placed with you (the 26 weeks do not need to be in a row)

If either parent earned less than the amount needed because they were on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, they may still be eligible.

What you'll get

If you’re eligible and you or your partner end maternity or adoption leave and pay (or Maternity Allowance) early, then you can:

take the rest of the 52 weeks of maternity or adoption leave as Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

take the rest of the 39 weeks of maternity or adoption pay (or Maternity Allowance) as Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)

You can check when you and your partner can take your leave and how much statutory pay you’ll get using the Shared Parental Leave and Pay planning tool.

How much pay you’ll get

ShPP is paid at the rate of £151.97 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

This is the same as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) except that during the first 6 weeks SMP is paid at 90% of whatever you earn (with no maximum).

When you can start

You can only start Shared Parental Leave (SPL) or Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) once the child has been born or placed for adoption.

You can check when you and your partner can start your leave using the Shared Parental Leave and Pay planning tool.

For SPL to start

The mother (or the person getting adoption leave) must either:

return to work, which ends any maternity or adoption leave

give their employer ‘binding notice’ of the date when they plan to end their leave (you cannot normally change the date you give in binding notice)

You can start SPL while your partner is still on maternity or adoption leave as long as they’ve given binding notice to end it.

You can give binding notice and say when you plan to take your SPL at the same time.

A mother cannot return to work before the end of the compulsory 2 weeks of maternity leave following the birth (4 weeks if they work in a factory). If you’re adopting, the person claiming adoption pay must take at least 2 weeks of adoption leave.

If the mother or adopter does not get maternity or adoption leave

The mother or adopter must end any maternity pay, adoption pay or Maternity Allowance so that they or their partner can get SPL.

For ShPP to start

The mother (or the person getting adoption pay) must give their employer binding notice of the date when they plan to end any maternity or adoption pay.

If they get Maternity Allowance, they must give notice to Jobcentre Plus instead.

They cannot restart maternity pay, Maternity Allowance or adoption pay once it’s ended.

You can start ShPP while your partner is still on maternity pay, adoption pay or Maternity Allowance as long as they’ve given binding notice to end it.

You can give binding notice and say when you plan to take your ShPP at the same time.

Change the decision to end maternity or adoption leave

The mother or adopter may be able to change their decision to end maternity or adoption leave early. They must let their employer know.

They can only change the decision if both:

the planned end date has not passed

they have not already returned to work

One of the following must also apply:

you find out during the 8-week notice period that neither of you is eligible for SPL or ShPP

the mother or adopter’s partner has died

the mother tells their employer less than 6 weeks after the birth (and they gave their employer notice before the birth)

Booking blocks of leave

You can book up to 3 separate blocks of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) instead of taking it all in one go, even if you are not sharing the leave with your partner.

If your partner is also eligible for SPL, you can take up to 3 blocks of leave each. You can take leave at different times or both at the same time.

You must tell your employer about your plans for leave when you apply for SPL. You can change these plans later but you must give your employer at least 8 weeks’ notice before you want to begin a block of leave.

You can check when you and your partner can take your leave using the Shared Parental Leave and Pay planning tool.

Splitting blocks of leave

If your employer agrees, you can split blocks into shorter periods of at least a week.

Shared Parental Leave in touch (SPLIT) days

You and your partner can each work up to 20 days while you’re taking SPL. These are called ‘Shared Parental Leave in touch’ (or SPLIT) days.

These days are in addition to the 10 ‘keeping in touch’ (or KIT) days available to those on maternity or adoption leave.

KIT and SPLIT days are optional - both you and your employer must agree to them.

Applying for leave and pay

To get Shared Parental Leave (SPL) or Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) you must:

follow the rules for starting SPL and ShPP

give your employer at least 8 weeks’ written notice of your leave dates

If the mother (or person taking adoption leave) plans to take SPL or ShPP, they must apply to their employer.

If the partner plans to take SPL or ShPP, both the partner and the mother (or person taking adoption leave) must apply to their employers.

You can use Shared Parental Leave forms and templates created by Acas to:

give your employer notice that you plan to take SPL and ShPP

give your employer notice of when the mother or adopter is going to end their maternity or adoption leave, and when they’ll stop getting maternity or adoption pay

book your leave dates

If your employer has their own forms you can use those instead.

You can change your mind later about how much SPL or ShPP you plan to take and when you want to take it. You must give notice of any changes at least 8 weeks before the start of any leave.

You might not get SPL or ShPP if you do not include all the required information.

Giving more information

Your employer can ask you for more information within 14 days of you applying for SPL or ShPP. They can ask for:

a copy of the birth certificate

a declaration of the place and date of birth (if the birth has not been registered yet)

the name and address of your partner’s employer or a declaration that your partner has no employer

If you’re adopting, your employer can ask for the:

name and address of the adoption agency

date you were matched with the child

date the child will start to live with you

You must give this information within 14 days of being asked for it.


Adoption pay and leave

Overview

When you take time off to adopt a child or have a child through a surrogacy arrangement you might be eligible for:

Statutory Adoption Leave

Statutory Adoption Pay

There are rules on when and how to claim your paid leave and if you want to change your dates.

You may also be eligible to take Shared Parental Leave and Pay.

Your employment rights when on leave

Your employment rights are protected while on Statutory Adoption Leave. This includes your right to:

pay rises

build up (accrue) holiday

return to work

Leave

Statutory Adoption Leave is 52 weeks. It’s made up of:

26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave

26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave

Only 1 person in a couple can take adoption leave. The other partner could get paternity leave instead.

If you get adoption leave, you can also get paid time off work to attend 5 adoption appointments after you’ve been matched with a child.

Use the planner to work out the dates for your adoption leave.

Start date

Adoption leave can start:

up to 14 days before the date the child starts living with you (UK adoptions)

when the child arrives in the UK or within 28 days of this date (overseas adoptions)

the day the child’s born or the day after (if you’ve used a surrogate to have a child)

Change your dates

You must tell your employer within 28 days if the date of placement (or UK arrival date for overseas adoptions) changes.

You must give your employer at least 8 weeks’ notice if you want to change your return to work date.

Pay

Statutory Adoption Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. The weekly amount is:

90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks

£151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

It’s paid in the same way as your wages (for example monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

Extra pay

You may get more pay if your employer has a company adoption pay scheme. Your employer cannot offer you less than the statutory amount.

Start date

Statutory Adoption Pay starts when you take your adoption leave.

Problems and disputes

If you disagree with the amount of Statutory Adoption Pay you get or your employer cannot pay it, for example because they’re insolvent, contact the Statutory Payment Disputes Team.

Eligibility

There are different eligibility rules for leave and pay.

Adoption leave

To get Statutory Adoption Leave, you must:

be an employee

give the correct notice

give proof of the adoption or surrogacy, if your employer asks you for it

Leave if you’re adopting a child from overseas

You must also sign form SC6 if you’re adopting from overseas with a partner. This confirms you’re not taking paternity leave or pay.

Adoption pay

To get Statutory Adoption Pay, you must:

have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks by the week you were matched with a child

earn on average at least £120 a week (before tax)

give the correct notice

give proof of the adoption or surrogacy

If you usually earn an average of £120 or more a week, and you only earned less in some weeks because you were paid but not working (‘on furlough’) under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you may still be eligible.

Pay if you’re adopting a child from overseas

The requirements are the same if you’re adopting from overseas, except you must have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks when you start getting adoption pay.

Pay if you’re in a surrogacy arrangement

The requirements are the same if you’re in a surrogacy arrangement, except you must have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby’s due.

You must also:

intend to apply for a parental order

expect the order to be granted (for example because you do not have any convictions involving children, and the birth mother or father agree to the arrangement)

If you’re genetically related to the child (the egg or sperm donor), you can choose to get paternity leave and pay instead. You cannot get both.

You’re fostering for adoption

If you’re eligible for adoption pay and leave, you’ll receive them from when the child comes to live with you.

Exceptions

You do not qualify for Statutory Adoption Leave or Pay if you:

arrange a private adoption

become a special guardian or kinship carer

adopt a stepchild

adopt a family member

If you’re not eligible

Your employer must give you form SAP1 explaining why you cannot get Statutory Adoption Pay.

You may get support from your local council instead, if you’re adopting a child.

How to claim

The rules are slightly different if you’re adopting from overseas or you’re having a child through a surrogacy arrangement.

Statutory Adoption Leave

Within 7 days of being matched with a child you must tell your employer:

how much leave you want

your leave start date

the ‘date of placement’ - the date the child is placed with you

Your employer can ask for this in writing and for proof of the adoption.

Your employer must confirm your leave start and end dates within 28 days.

Use the planner to work out when you must claim your adoption leave.

Statutory Adoption Pay

Tell your employer you want to stop work to adopt a child and when you want your Statutory Adoption Pay to start. You must give them at least 28 days’ notice. They can ask for this in writing and for proof of the adoption.

Your employer must confirm within 28 days how much Statutory Adoption Pay you’ll get and when it will start and stop.

If they decide you’re not eligible, they must give you form SAP1 within 7 days of making their decision and explain why.

Proof of adoption

You must give your employer proof of adoption to qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay. Proof is not needed for Statutory Adoption Leave unless they request it.

The proof must show:

your name and address and that of the agency

the match date - for example the matching certificate

the date of placement - for example a letter from the agency

the relevant UK authority’s ‘official notification’ confirming you’re allowed to adopt (overseas adoptions only)

the date the child arrived in the UK - for example a plane ticket (overseas adoptions only)

Overseas adoptions

Tell your employer the date of your ‘official notification’ and when you expect the child to arrive in the UK. You must usually do this within 28 days of getting the notification.

You can only take longer if you’ve worked for your employer for less than 26 weeks. Tell them within 28 days of the Sunday in your 26th week.

You must also tell them:

the actual date the child arrives in the UK - within 28 days of this date

how much leave you want and your start date - giving your employer 28 days’ notice

Surrogacy arrangements

If you use a surrogate to have a baby, tell your employer the due date and when you want to start your leave at least 15 weeks before the expected week of birth. They may ask for this in writing.

Your employer may also ask for a written statement (‘statutory declaration’) to confirm you’ve applied or will apply for a parental order in the 6 months after the child’s birth. You must sign this in the presence of a legal professional.


Unpaid parental leave

Overview

Eligible employees can take unpaid parental leave to look after their child’s welfare, for example to:

spend more time with their children

look at new schools

settle children into new childcare arrangements

spend more time with family, such as visiting grandparents

Their employment rights (like the right to pay, holidays and returning to a job) are protected during parental leave.

Entitlement

Parental leave is unpaid. You’re entitled to 18 weeks’ leave for each child and adopted child, up to their 18th birthday.

The limit on how much parental leave each parent can take in a year is 4 weeks for each child (unless the employer agrees otherwise).

You must take parental leave as whole weeks (eg 1 week or 2 weeks) rather than individual days, unless your employer agrees otherwise or if your child is disabled. You don’t have to take all the leave at once.

A ‘week’ equals the length of time an employee normally works over 7 days.

Carrying leave over from a previous job

Parental leave applies to each child not to an individual’s job.

Eligibility

Employees qualify if all of these apply:

they’ve been in the company for more than a year

they’re named on the child’s birth or adoption certificate or they have or expect to have parental responsibility

they’re not self-employed or a ‘worker’, eg an agency worker or contractor

they’re not a foster parent (unless they’ve secured parental responsibility through the courts)

the child is under 18

Employers can ask for proof (like a birth certificate) as long as it’s reasonable to do so, eg they can’t ask for proof each time an employee requests leave.

Employers can extend parental leave to those groups who aren’t eligible. Employees can check this in their staff handbook.

Notice period

Employees must give 21 days’ notice before their intended start date. If they or their partner are having a baby or adopting, it’s 21 days before the week the baby or child is expected.

Employees must confirm the start and end dates in their notice. Unless an employer requests it, this doesn’t have to be in writing.

Delaying leave

Leave can’t be postponed (delayed) if:

the employer doesn’t have a ‘significant reason’, eg it would cause serious disruption to the business

it’s being taken by the father or partner immediately after the birth or adoption of a child

it means an employee would no longer qualify for parental leave, eg postponing it until after the child’s 18th birthday

If it’s postponed, the employer:

must write explaining why within 7 days of the original request

suggest a new start date - this must be within 6 months of the requested start date

can’t change the amount of leave being requested


Claim Child Benefit

How it works

You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

under 16

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

By claiming Child Benefit:

you can get National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension

your child will automatically get a National Insurance number when they’re 16 years old

If you choose not to get Child Benefit payments, you should still fill in and send off the claim form.

If you or your partner earn over £50,000

You may have to pay back some of your Child Benefit in tax if your (or your partner’s) individual income is over £50,000.

If your circumstances change

What you'll get

There are 2 Child Benefit rates.

Who the allowance is for | Rate (weekly)

Eldest or only child | £21.15

Additional children | £14 per child

You must contact the Child Benefit Office if you’re paid too much or too little.

The benefit cap may affect the total amount of benefits you get, including Child Benefit.

How and when Child Benefit is paid

Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.

You can have the money paid weekly if you’re a single parent or getting certain other benefits, such as Income Support.

You can get the money paid into any account, apart from a Nationwide cashbuilder account (sort code 070030) in someone else’s name.

You can only get the money paid into one account.

Child Benefit and your State Pension

If your child is under 12 and you’re not working or do not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions, Child Benefit can give you National Insurance credits.

These credits count towards your State Pension, so you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record.

If families split up

If a family splits up, you get £21.15 a week for the eldest child.

If you have 2 children and one stays with you and the other stays with your ex-partner, you’ll both get £21.15 a week for each child.

If you both claim for the same child, only one of you will get Child Benefit for them.

If you have other children who are entitled to Child Benefit, you’ll get £14 for each child.

If families join together

If 2 families join together, the eldest child in the new family qualifies for the £21.15 rate and any other children who are eligible will get the £14 rate.

If you or your partner earn over £50,000

You can get Child Benefit if your (or your partner’s) individual income is over £50,000, but you may be taxed on the benefit. This is known as the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge.

If your partner’s income is also over £50,000 but yours is higher, you’re responsible for paying the tax charge. You need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return each tax year and pay what you owe.

Use the Child Benefit tax calculator to estimate how much tax you may have to pay.

Once you earn £60,000 you lose all of your benefit through tax.

Eligibility

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) and you live in the UK.

You’ll usually be responsible for a child if you live with them or you’re paying at least the same amount as Child Benefit (or the equivalent in kind) towards looking after them, for example on food, clothes or pocket money.

Eligibility rules are different if your child:

goes into hospital or care

lives with someone else

Child Benefit continues for 20 weeks if 16 or 17 year olds leave education or training and register with the armed services or a government-sponsored careers service.

Fostering a child

You’ll get Child Benefit if you foster a child, as long as the local council is not paying anything towards their accommodation or maintenance.

Adopting a child

You can apply for Child Benefit as soon as any child you’re adopting comes to live with you - you do not have to wait until the adoption process is complete.

You might be able to get Child Benefit for a period before the adoption - contact the Child Benefit Office to find out.

Looking after someone else’s child

You may be able to get Child Benefit if you’ve got an informal arrangement to look after a friend or relative’s child.

You might not qualify if your local council is paying towards the child’s accommodation or maintenance - contact the Child Benefit Office to find out.

Two people cannot get Child Benefit for the same child - if you want to make a claim, you must agree it with the person who’s currently claiming. HMRC will decide who receives the Child Benefit if you cannot agree.

You may also be entitled to Guardian’s Allowance if you’re responsible for a child who has lost one or both of their parents.

Living abroad

You may be able to get Child Benefit if you go to live in certain countries or if you’re a Crown servant.

If you’ve moved to the UK

You may be able to get Child Benefit if you have moved to the UK and you have a ‘right to reside’.

If your child starts work or gets benefits in their own right

You’ll stop receiving Child Benefit immediately if your child:

starts paid work for 24 hours or more a week and is no longer in approved education or training

starts an apprenticeship in England

starts getting certain benefits in their own right, such as Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or tax credits

If you or your partner earn over £50,000

You’ll still be eligible for Child Benefit even if you choose to stop receiving it. You can always change your mind and restart your payments.

Contact the Child Benefit Office if you’re not sure about your eligibility.

How to claim

You can claim Child Benefit as soon as you’ve registered the birth of your child, or they come to live with you.

If you’re not able to register the birth of your child because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can still make a claim to receive Child Benefit.

How long it takes

It can take 6 to 12 weeks to process a new Child Benefit claim (or longer if you’re new to the UK). Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months.

Deciding who should claim

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child, so you need to decide whether it’s better for you or the other parent to claim. The person who claims will get National Insurance credits towards their state pension if they are not working or earn less than £184 per week.

Make a claim for the first time

Fill in Child Benefit claim form CH2 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. The address is on the form.

If your child is adopted, send their original adoption certificate with the form. You can order a new adoption certificate if you’ve lost the original.

If you do not have the certificate you need, send your claim form now and send the certificate once you’ve got it.

If your child’s birth was registered outside the UK

When you send your claim form, include your child’s:

original birth certificate

passport or travel document used to enter the UK

If you’ve lost the original you can order a new birth certificate.

Add a child to an existing claim

Call the child benefit helpline if:

your child is under 6 months old and lives with you

your child was born in the UK and their birth was registered in England, Scotland or Wales more than 24 hours ago

you’re a UK, EEA or Swiss national and you’ve lived in the UK since the start of your claim

When you call, you’ll need your:

National Insurance number

child’s birth certificate

If you do not meet the criteria to add a child by phone

You’ll need to make a new claim by post. Fill in Child Benefit form CH2 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. The address is on the form.

If you’re claiming for more than 2 children, also include the ‘additional children’ form.

Claiming Child Benefit for someone else

You may be able to manage someone else’s Child Benefit claim.

Make a change to your claim

You must report any change of circumstances to the Child Benefit Office. These include changes to your:

family life, for example getting married

child’s life, for example leaving education or training

Change who gets Child Benefit

Contact the Child Benefit Office if you want someone else to claim Child Benefit, for example, your spouse or partner.

After you’ve done this, tell the other person to make a new claim.

Stop or restart payments

You can choose to stop or restart your payments at any time, for example because you or your partner earn over £50,000 a year. It does not affect your eligibility.

Get help with your claim

Contact the Child Benefit Office if you have any questions.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Make a complaint

You can complain to the Child Benefit Office if you’re unhappy with the way you’ve been treated.


High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge

Overview

You may have to pay a tax charge, known as the ‘High Income Child Benefit Charge’, if you have an individual income over £50,000 and either:

you or your partner get Child Benefit

someone else gets Child Benefit for a child living with you and they contribute at least an equal amount towards the child’s upkeep

It does not matter if the child living with you is not your own child.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

What counts as income

To work out if your income is over the threshold, you’ll need to work out your ‘adjusted net income’.

Your adjusted net income is your total taxable income before any personal allowances and less things like Gift Aid.

Use the Child Benefit tax calculator to get an estimate of your adjusted net income.

Who pays the tax charge

If your individual income is over £50,000 and so is your partner’s, then whoever has the higher income is responsible for paying the tax charge.

‘Partner’ means someone you’re not permanently separated from who you’re married to, in a civil partnership with or living with as if you were.

If your income is over the threshold

You can choose to either:

get Child Benefit payments, and pay any tax charge at the end of each tax year

not get Child Benefit payments, and not pay the tax charge

If you choose to not get Child Benefit

You can still fill in the Child Benefit claim form. You need to state on the form that you do not want to get payments.

You need to fill in the claim form if you want to:

get National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension

ensure your child gets their National Insurance number automatically before they’re 16 - otherwise they need to apply for one themselves

Already getting Child Benefit

You can choose to either:

stop getting Child Benefit - sometimes known as ‘opting out’

carry on getting Child Benefit and pay any tax charge at the end of each tax year

Pay the tax charge

To pay the tax charge, you must:

register for Self Assessment

fill in a Self Assessment tax return each tax year and pay what you owe

Register for Self Assessment

If you do not usually send a tax return, you need to register by 5 October following the tax year you need to pay the tax charge.

You can get a penalty if you do not register for Self Assessment or do not declare child benefit on your Self Assessment tax return.

You’ll get a letter telling you what to do next after you’ve registered.

Register now

If you cannot get information from your partner or ex-partner

You can write to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to ask whether your partner or ex-partner gets Child Benefit or has a higher adjusted net income than you. HMRC will reply ‘yes’ or ‘no’ - they will not give you any financial information.

You can only ask for this information if you and your partner either live together, or separated within the tax year you want information for.

Write to HMRC

You need to tell HMRC the tax year you’re asking about, as well as your:

name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number

Unique Taxpayer Reference, if you have one

adjusted net income

partner or ex-partner’s name

If you can, include your partner or ex-partner’s:

address

date of birth

National Insurance number, if you know it

Unique Taxpayer Reference, if they have one

Send your letter to:

Stop your Child Benefit

To stop your Child Benefit you can either:

fill in an online form

contact the Child Benefit Office by phone or post

You need a Government Gateway user ID and password to fill in the online form. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you fill in the form.

You cannot use the online form if you’re an appointee or authorised agent.

You cannot stop your Child Benefit if you’re using it to pay back an overpayment (or to pay back certain other benefits from another country).

Responsibilities after your Child Benefit stops

You must pay any tax charge owed for each tax year up to the date your Child Benefit stops.

Use the Child Benefit tax calculator to get an estimate of how much you may owe each tax year.

Even after your payments stop, you must report any changes in your family life that affect your entitlement to Child Benefit.

Restart your Child Benefit

You can restart your Child Benefit if:

you’ve previously stopped it because of the tax charge

you still qualify for Child Benefit

To restart your Child Benefit, either:

fill in an online form

contact the Child Benefit Office

Payments usually start again the Monday after your request is received. The Child Benefit Office will write telling you how much backdated Child Benefit you’ll get (if any).

Responsibilities after your Child Benefit restarts

You (or your partner) will have to pay any tax charge on the benefit received from the restart date if your income is over £50,000.

Use the Child Benefit tax calculator to get an estimate of your income and tax deductions to see if you may be affected by the tax charge.

You must report any changes to your family life that affect your Child Benefit.

If your circumstances change

Your income changes

You will not have to pay the tax charge if your income for the whole of a tax year is less than £50,000.

You can choose to stop or restart your Child Benefit at any time. Use the Child Benefit tax calculator to get an estimate of your income changes to see if they may affect the tax charge.

You have a new child

Claiming Child Benefit helps you qualify for:

National Insurance credits, which protect your right to the State Pension

other benefits like Guardian’s Allowance

Child Benefit proves you (or your partner) support another child. You may pay less child maintenance for children not living with you.

You can make a new claim or just protect your entitlement to the above by:

sending a Child Benefit claim form

ticking the option to ‘not have the benefit paid’

A partner moves in or out

Your situation may change if your income is more than £50,000 and you move in or split up with someone who’s getting Child Benefit.

You’ll have to pay the tax charge if your income is more than £50,000 and higher than your new partner’s income. Your partner pays it if their income is higher.

The tax charge applies from the date you move in together to either the date you permanently separate or the Child Benefit stops - for example because the child is too old to qualify for it.

Short periods apart do not count as separation, for example a hospital stay or working away from home.


Making a child maintenance arrangement

Overview

Child maintenance is an arrangement between you and the other parent of your child. It covers how your child’s living costs will be paid for when one of the parents no longer lives with them. It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent (or if you’ve never been in a relationship).

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Both parents are responsible for the costs of raising their children, even if they do not see them. Making agreements about access to your children happens separately.

Child maintenance can be either:

a private arrangement between you and the other parent

made through the Child Maintenance Service - a government scheme

You need to have child maintenance arrangements for children under 16 (or under 20 if they’re in approved education or training). If you make a private arrangement you can continue paying after then.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse or controlling behaviour

Domestic abuse includes controlling behaviour. For example:

emotionally controlling or manipulative behaviour

controlling your finances

controlling the way you look after your children

You can use the Child Maintenance Service to arrange child maintenance if you do not want to contact the other parent yourself. They will contact the other parent for you and you will not need to pay the application fee if you’re experiencing domestic abuse.

How it affects benefits

Child maintenance payments will not affect any benefits that you and your children get. You will not have to pay tax on them.

Your Council Tax Reduction could be affected. Contact your local council to find out if this applies to you.

Making an arrangement for the first time

Talk to the other parent about making your own arrangements.

If you cannot agree, or you feel at risk talking to the other parent, contact Child Maintenance Options for help and support.

If you decide to use the Child Maintenance Service, they’ll give you a reference number and explain how to apply.

Arrange child maintenance yourself

You can make arrangements for your children if both parents agree. This might cover their living costs and care.

This is a private arrangement where you and the other parent organise everything yourselves. No one else has to be involved. It’s flexible and can be changed if your circumstances change. For example, you could both agree that one parent:

does school or nursery pick ups

looks after the children in the holidays

pays a proportion of their income to the parent with day to day care

pays for things like housing, school uniform, trips or after school clubs

pays a regular set amount directly to the parent with care

Working out payments

If you agree to make regular payments, you can use the child maintenance calculator to help you decide how much payments should be.

Get help to make an arrangement

You can search for a local mediator to help you reach agreement about an arrangement.

You can read guidance on:

working out the cost of raising your children

having a conversation about child maintenance

recording your agreement

You can contact Child Maintenance Options for support.

There are different contact details if you live in Northern Ireland.

If your private arrangement stops working

You can search for a local mediator to help you work out child maintenance arrangements.

If you later decide to switch to using the Child Maintenance Service you may have to pay an application fee. You will not need to pay the fee if you’ve experienced domestic abuse, you’re under 19 years old or you live in Northern Ireland.

Using the Child Maintenance Service

The Child Maintenance Service is for parents who have not been able to make a private arrangement about how their child’s living costs will be paid. The payments are a fixed amount on a schedule.

Once the Child Maintenance Service calculates the maintenance amount, payments are usually managed between parents. The payments are fixed amounts paid on a schedule.

If you use the service to collect and transfer payments, you’ll pay a fee each time you make or receive a payment.

The Child Maintenance Service can:

work out child maintenance payment amounts (you can do this yourself with the calculator)

arrange for the other parent to pay child maintenance and take action if payments are not made

help find the other parent (they’ll need information from you and will not be able to set up a case if they cannot be found)

sort out disagreements about parentage

look at the payments if changes in parents’ circumstances are reported

You can switch to arranging child maintenance yourself later on.

If you’ve experienced domestic abuse or controlling behaviour from your child’s other parent

If you’re worried about your child’s other parent contacting you, tell the Child Maintenance Service. You do not need to be in contact with the other parent.

Tell the Child Maintenance Service if it’s not safe for the other parent to know your location or personal information, for example if you’ve changed your name.

Getting payments without sharing your location

There are ways to get payments from your child’s other parent without sharing your location.

You can ask your bank to set up a ‘non-geographical’ bank account if you do not want the other parent to know your address. Ask the Child Maintenance Service to give you a letter to explain why you need it.

You can also set up a pre-payment card which is not connected to a bank account. The paying parent can set up a standing order to your pre-payment card.

Eligibility

Your child needs to be under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training).

You need to live in the UK as your main home and have the right to live here.

You can apply if you’re:

either parent (you do not need to live with the child)

a grandparent or other guardian of the child

a child over 12 living in Scotland

If you’re in prison or a full-time student with no income, you do not have to pay child maintenance - there’s no need to apply.

You cannot use this service if you have an existing consent order approved by a court that is either less than a year old or made before 3 March 2003.

If one of the parents lives outside the UK

You cannot apply if the child and the parent with main day-to-day care live outside the UK.

The service can only help if the paying parent works outside the UK for a British organisation.

Fees

The application fee is £20.

You will not have to pay this if you:

have experienced domestic abuse

are under 19 years old

live in Northern Ireland

How to apply

Contact Child Maintenance Options before you apply.

They’ll discuss your maintenance arrangements with you, give you a reference number and explain how to apply.

What you’ll need to provide

You’ll need to give information about you and your family, for example:

details about the child you’re applying for - including the full names of their parents

your National Insurance number

your bank account details (tell the Child Maintenance Service if it’s not safe to tell the other parent your name, if you’ve changed it, or location)

How your information is used

Your information is used to set up and manage child maintenance payments, and sometimes to try to find the paying parent.

The Child Maintenance Service will share your name and your child’s name with the other parent. They will not share your address.

They may share your contact details with other government organisations, debt collection agencies or the courts. They will not share details of your case.

If the Child Maintenance Service cannot get the information from either parent, they might ask others, for example:

the paying parent’s employer

government organisations like Jobcentre Plus

prison services or local councils

the paying parent’s bank or building society


Overview

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

is under 16

has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.

The DLA rate is between £23.70 and £152.15 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.

DLA rates for children

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a tax-free benefit made up of 2 components (parts). The child might qualify for one or both components.

Care component

Care component | Weekly rate

Lowest | £23.70

Middle | £60.00

Highest | £89.60

Mobility component

Mobility component | Weekly rate

Lower | £23.70

Higher | £62.55

How DLA for children is paid

DLA is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Tuesday.

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Extra help

You might qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a child who gets the middle or highest care rate of DLA.

Eligibility

Usually, to qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children the child must:

be under 16 - anyone over 16 must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

need extra looking after or have walking difﬁculties

be in Great Britain, a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland when you claim - there are some exceptions, such as family members of the Armed Forces

have lived in Great Britain for at least 6 of the last 12 months, if over 3 years old

be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control

The process is  different in Northern Ireland.

There are some exceptions to these conditions if the child is living in or coming from an EEA country or Switzerland.

You can claim DLA for children if you’re in or out of work.

Children under 3

A child under 6 months must have lived in Great Britain for at least 13 weeks.

A child aged between 6 months and 3 years must have lived in Great Britain for at least 26 of the last 156 weeks.

The rules on residence do not normally apply if a child is terminally ill.

The child’s disability or health condition must mean at least one of the following apply:

they need much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

they have difficulty getting about

They must have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least 6 months. If they’re terminally ill (that is, not expected to live more than 6 months), they do not need to have had these difficulties for 3 months.

Care component

The rate the child gets depends on the level of looking after they need, for example:

lowest rate - help for some of the day

middle rate - frequent help or constant supervision during the day, supervision at night or someone to help while they’re on dialysis

highest rate - help or supervision throughout both day and night, or they’re terminally ill

Mobility component

The rate the child gets depends on the level of help they need getting about, for example:

lowest rate - they can walk but need help and or supervision when outdoors

highest rate -  they cannot walk, can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort, could become very ill if they try to walk or they’re blind or severely sight impaired

There are also age limits to receiving the mobility component:

lowest rate - the child must be 5 years or over

highest rate - the child must be 3 years or over

If your child is under these ages and you claim DLA for them, you should be sent a claim pack 6 months before they turn 3 and 6 months before they turn 5. You can then apply for the mobility component if you think they’re eligible for it.

If you have not received any claim packs and you think your child may be entitled to the mobility component, contact the Disability Service Centre.

Change of circumstances

Contact the Disability Service Centre as soon as the child’s circumstances change. This can affect how much they get, for example if their disability gets worse or they go abroad for medical treatment.

Their DLA will not usually be affected if they go:

into a local authority care home for less than 28 days

into a hospital

abroad for less than 13 weeks

abroad for less than 26 weeks to get medical treatment for a condition which began before they left

How to claim

To claim DLA for a child you need to be their parent or look after them as if you’re their parent. This includes step-parents, guardians, grandparents, foster-parents or older brothers or sisters.

To apply you can either:

print off and fill in the DLA claim form

phone the Disability Living Allowance helpline and ask for a printed form

Alternative formats

Call the Disability Living Allowance helpline to ask for alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD.

When you’ll be paid

DLA can be paid from the start of your claim. It cannot be backdated. Your claim will start on the date the form is received or the date you call the enquiry line (if you return the claim pack within 6 weeks).

You’ll usually get a decision letter about 8 weeks (40 working days) after your form is received. The letter will tell you when you’ll get your first payment.

If the child is terminally ill

There are special rules if the child is not expected to live more than 6 months, so they can get DLA more quickly.

Phone the Disability Living Allowance helpline to start your claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

When your child turns 16

Your child will need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) when they turn 16.

When they apply for PIP

Your child will get a letter inviting them to apply for PIP. The letter will be sent:

shortly after their 16th birthday

when they leave hospital, if they were in hospital on their 16th birthday

about 20 weeks before their DLA award ends, if they were awarded DLA under the rules for people who are terminally ill

Your child’s DLA payments will stop unless they apply for PIP by the date given in the letter.

If they apply by the date given in the letter, they’ll continue to receive DLA until their claim is assessed.


Help if you have a disabled child

Overview

Your local council can provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

short break services

holiday play schemes

care at home

some aids and adaptations

financial help, eg money towards travel costs for hospital visits

Your council has a duty to provide these services under the Children Act 1989. Some are free of charge - the council might ask you to contribute towards others.

If you think your child may qualify, contact the social services team at your local council.

A social worker will then talk to you about the needs of your family, including:

health

social care

education

This is called a ‘needs assessment’ - the social worker will give you advice on what to do next.

You can also ask your council about local support groups for carers and families with disabled children.

Help with costs

If your child qualifies for services from your local council, you’ll also have the option of getting direct payments.

These are paid directly to you so you can arrange services you need. They’re an alternative to social care services provided by your local council.

You may also be eligible for extra Child Tax Credit for each disabled child you’re responsible for or Disability Living Allowance for children.

Childcare

Your local council’s Family Information Service can give you details about childcare in your local area.

You can also ask them about other specialist services that your child may need because of their disability.

Help with childcare costs

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free education for 38 weeks of the year - read the information on childcare and tax credits for more details.

Some 2-year-olds (even if they have an education, health and care plan or get Disability Living Allowance) are also entitled to the 15 hours of free education.

You can also get direct payments from your local council to help pay for childcare.

If you’re on the Early Support Programme and have a Family File, show this to your childcare provider.

If you’re working, you may be able to get up to £4,000 a year to help pay for childcare for a disabled child through Tax-Free Childcare.

Education

Under the Equality Act 2010, it’s against the law for schools and other education providers to discriminate against disabled children.

Examples of discrimination include:

a school refusing to admit a disabled child just because of their disability

stopping a disabled pupil going outside at break time because it takes them longer to get there

Contact the Equality Advisory Support Service if you think your child has been discriminated against because of their disability.

Making ‘reasonable adjustments’

Schools have to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled children. These can include:

changes to physical features, eg adding a ramp

changes to how learners are assessed

providing extra support and aids, eg specialist teachers or equipment

Special educational needs

Some children may have special educational needs because their disabilities affect their ability to learn.

You can ask your council to carry out an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment for your child. They may get an EHC plan, which will explain the extra support they need.

The council must make sure your child gets this support.

Ask to see a school’s policy on special educational needs so you know what support they can offer.

Find your local support service if you need impartial advice about special educational needs.

Motability scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you lease a car if your child is aged 3 or over and is entitled to either the:

higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance

enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment

More information about the scheme is on the Motability website.

You can also contact:

Home adaptations

If your home needs to be adapted to meet your child’s needs, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant to help with the costs.

Usually, an occupational therapist will talk to you to work out what adaptations would be best for your child.

A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits that you’re getting.


Disabled Facilities Grants

Overview

You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home, for example to:

widen doors and install ramps

improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom

provide a heating system suitable for your needs

adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get.

What you'll get

How much you get depends on your:

household income

household savings over £6,000

Country | Grant

England | Up to £30,000

Wales | Up to £36,000

Northern Ireland | Up to £25,000

Scotland | Disabled Facilities Grants are not available - find out about support for equipment and adaptations

Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property.

Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. Contact your local council for more information.

You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application.

How you’ll be paid

You’ll be paid either:

in instalments - as the work progresses

in full - when the work is finished

The council may pay the contractor directly or give you a cheque to pass on to them. They’ll agree this with you when they approve your application.

When you’ll be paid

You’ll be paid either:

when the council is happy with the finished work

when you give the council the invoice, demand or receipt for payment from the contractor

Normally, if you (or a relative) does the work the council will only accept invoices for materials or services you’ve bought.

Eligibility

You or someone living in your property must be disabled. Either you or the person you’re applying for must:

own the property or be a tenant

intend to live in the property during the grant period (which is currently 5 years)

You can also apply for a grant if you’re a landlord and have a disabled tenant.

The council needs to be happy that the work is:

necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs

reasonable and can be done - depending on the age and condition of the property

Planning and building regulations approval

You need to apply separately for any planning permission or building regulations approval.

The council may ask you to employ a qualified architect or surveyor to plan and oversee the work. If you get a grant, you can use it towards the cost of their fees.

How to apply

Apply through your local council.

The council may send an occupational therapist round to see you. They’ll check your circumstances and see what changes you need.

Appeals

You can appeal to your council if you’re unhappy with their decision.

If you appeal and you’re still not happy, you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.


Childcare Grant

Overview

You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if you:

are a full-time higher education student

have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs

The grant:

does not have to be paid back

is paid on top of your other student finance

You must be eligible for student finance to apply for a Childcare Grant.

What you'll get

The amount you’ll get depends on:

your household income

the number of children who are dependent on you

2021 to 2022 academic year

You can get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less.

The maximum you can get is:

up to £179.62 a week for 1 child

up to £307.95 a week for 2 or more children

You have to pay for any remaining costs.

2020 to 2021 academic year

The maximum you can get is:

up to £174.22 a week for 1 child

up to £298.69 a week for 2 or more children

How you’re paid

Your grant will be paid into a Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account. You’ll get an email telling you how to set one up.

Your childcare provider will send requests for payment to the CCGPS, which you can approve through your account. Your provider will be paid directly from the money in your account.

Any money that’s left over at the end of the academic year will be returned to Student Finance England.

Income-related, unemployment and housing benefits are not affected by a Childcare Grant.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Childcare Grant all the following must apply:

you’re a full-time student

your child must be under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs

you get undergraduate student finance based on your household income, or are eligible to

you’re not getting a Postgraduate Loan

you’re a permanent resident in England

the children in your grant application are financially dependent on you

your childcare provider is on the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register - check with your provider

if your child is cared for at home, the carer cannot be a relative and must be registered with an appropriate body - check with Student Finance England

neither you or your partner are claiming Tax-Free Childcare, the childcare element of working Tax Credit or Universal Credit

neither you or your partner receive help with childcare costs from the National Health Service (NHS)

Childcare Grant isn’t the same as 15 or 30 hours free childcare. You can’t use it to pay for those hours.

How to apply

To apply for a Childcare Grant follow these steps:

Apply online as part of your main student finance application.

Send in evidence. You’ll be told what evidence you need to provide when you apply.

You’ll be sent a letter telling you how much Childcare Grant you’ll get.

Create an online account with the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS). You’ll get an email telling you how to set one up. Your grant will be paid into this account.

Use the paper form instead if you:

have already applied for student finance but didn’t apply for a childcare grant at the same time

want to apply for another child

You can download the form from the student finance form finder.

Use your online account to send the form to Student Finance England, or send it by post.


Care to Learn

Overview

The Care to Learn scheme can help  with childcare costs while you study.

You must be aged under 20 at the start of your course.

The scheme is available for publicly-funded courses in England. This includes courses in:

schools

sixth-forms in schools

sixth-form colleges

What you'll get

You can get up to:

£160 per child per week if you live outside London

£175 per child per week if you live in London

What it covers

Care to Learn can help with the cost of:

your childcare, including deposit and registration fees

a childcare taster session for up to 5 days

keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays

taking your child to their childcare provider

Payments

Childcare payments go directly to your childcare provider.

Before they can be paid:

your childcare provider needs to confirm your child’s attendance

your school or college needs to confirm that you’re attending your course

Travel payments go direct to your school or college - they’ll either pay you or arrange travel for you.

When payments stop

Payments end when:

you stop attending your course

you reach the end of your course

your child stops attending childcare

Eligibility

You can get Care to Learn if all of the following apply to you:

you’re a parent under 20 at the start of your course

you’re the main carer for your child

you live in England

you’re either a British citizen or have a legal right to live and study in England

your course qualifies

your childcare provider qualifies

If you’re an EU citizen and you were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living here after 30 June 2021. If you want to move to the UK from 1 January 2021, you may need to apply for a visa.

Your course

Care to Learn is only available for publicly-funded courses in England. This includes courses that take place in:

schools

sixth-forms in schools

sixth-form colleges

other colleges and learning providers, including Foundation Learning

your community at Children’s Centres

Your learning provider can tell you if your course is eligible.

Your childcare provider

To qualify, your childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted.

They can be a:

childminder

preschool playgroup

day nursery

out of school club

Who cannot get Care to Learn

You’re not eligible if:

you’re an apprentice who gets a salary

you’re doing a higher education course at university

Apply for Care to Learn

You must choose your learning provider and childcare provider before you apply.

You need to make a new application for each year you study.

Your childcare provider is paid from the beginning of your course if you apply either:

before your course starts

within 28 days of starting your course

If you apply after that, your childcare provider will only be paid from the beginning of the week that your application was received.

Apply online for Care to Learn.

After you've applied

You must give your learning provider either:

a copy of the child’s birth certificate

a letter confirming receipt of Child Benefit for that child

If you qualify

You’ll get a letter and a payment plan telling you what financial help you can get.

Your childcare provider will only be paid after you’ve provided this.

Your childcare provider will also get the payment plan to let them know when they’ll be paid.

If you’re eligible for travel costs, your learning provider will be told about payments for this.

If your circumstances change

You must report changes to your:

personal details

childcare provider

hours of childcare

travel costs

learning provider

You can do this by updating your online application.

Benefits

Claiming Care to Learn will not affect your family’s benefits or allowances.