UK Paternity Pay – Simple Guide for New Dads

Congrats on the new baby! While you’re busy changing diapers, you probably wonder how paternity pay works. In the UK you can get paid time off when your partner has a baby, and you don’t need a finance degree to understand it. Let’s break down the basics so you can claim confidently and focus on family.

Eligibility & Payment Amount

First off, you need to be an employee (not a contractor) and have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due. Your average weekly earnings must be at least £123 per week (the lower earnings limit for 2024‑25). If you meet those two rules, you’re eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP).

SPP is either £172.48 per week (2024‑25 rate) or 90 % of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. You can claim for up to two weeks, and you can decide whether to take them as one block of two weeks or two separate weeks. The weeks don’t have to be consecutive, but they must fall within 56 days of the baby’s birth.

How to Claim and What to Expect

Tell your employer as soon as you know the due date – at least 15 weeks before the birth if possible. They’ll give you a paternity leave form to fill out. Once you’ve submitted it, your employer calculates the pay and adds it to your normal payroll, so you’ll see it on your regular payslip.

Remember, paternity pay is taxed and subject to National Insurance just like your regular salary, so expect a slight deduction. If you’re self‑employed, you won’t get SPP, but you might qualify for Maternity Allowance or a different benefit, so check the government website.

After you’re paid, keep all paperwork for at least a year. If anything looks off, contact HR straight away – most errors are fixed quickly. And if your employer refuses to pay, you can raise a claim with an employment tribunal, though that’s rare.

Here are a few quick tips to make the process smoother:

• Ask for written confirmation of your leave dates.
• Check your payslip to ensure the correct amount is deducted for tax and NI.
• Plan your finances ahead – two weeks of reduced income can affect budgeting.
• If you share parental leave with your partner, coordinate so you don’t both take the same days.

That’s the whole picture in a nutshell. You’re now ready to claim your paternity pay without the headache. Enjoy the new arrival and the extra time with your family – you’ve earned it!