Adoption pay and leave
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
- £184.03 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.