Paternity Pay help

ScotimusPrime

My wife is due our third child in February and I haven't been in my current job long enough to receive statutory paternity Pay. My employer said that there may be something else I can claim and take unpaid time off.

Does anyone know if this is true and, if so, what it is important should claim, or should I just use my holiday entitlement?

Horseunderwater

https://www.gov.uk/employers-paternity-pay-leave/eligibility - read that.

ScotimusPrime

Thanks but I've already looked there and I fall down at the first hurdle. My question is around where to go next.

NYM

Unfortunately, if you don't qualify, there is nothing else that you can claim for.

allen35

A couple of options open are take annual leave as you've said or ask employer to reduce working hours enabling you to spend time with the baby.

If you can't afford to take unpaid paternity leave you may qualify for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support if applicable and additional tax credits depending on your partner's income.

For example if your joint income is going to be a lot lower this tax year you can ask for an estimate be used in the tax credit assessment although the first £2,500 of reduced income is disregarded.

Remember the first £100 of SMP if your partner works is disregarded as income too.

SeduLOUs

Is it possible that the wife would be entitled to a small amount of Maternity Allowance? Very few facts given in OP so difficult to say.

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

ScotimusPrime

Thanks I've already checked there and I fall at the first hurdle. My question is around where to go next.

ScotimusPrime

SeduLOUs wrote: »

Is it possible that the wife would be entitled to a small amount of Maternity Allowance? Very few facts given in OP so difficult to say.


My wife doesn't work at all and claims no benefit herself. We jointly claim tax credits (working and child) and child benefit. Other than that, the only income we have is my pitiful wage.

midnight_express

Maybe the time to think about this was before deciding to have three kids that you are unable to support.

SeduLOUs

Unfortunately it sounds like game over then, and your only option is to take some paid annual leave.

ScotimusPrime

midnight_express wrote: »

Maybe the time to think about this was before deciding to have three kids that you are unable to support.

Actually we are perfectly able to support three children due to very clever budgeting on my wife's part. We had thought long and hard about it beforehand, so your attitude is unnecessary and neither appreciated nor appropriate.