What is a single new Dad entitled to?

Kez21

My brother is having a baby through surrogacy, he is single. He is self employed but would like to take 4 months off work to be with his newborn baby.
It doesn't look like he is entitled to Maternity or Paternity pay. Surely in this day and age there must be some support out there for him?

molerat

https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/time-off-and-pay-for-parents-in-surrogacy-arrangements/

The big problem here is self employed, the employer is the one that covers these costs so he should have a back up plan to cover what would normally be employer funded situations.

peteuk

Is it a bit mean to say - should have thought about this before hand.  

He will need robust sickness insurance, as if child goes to childminder/school and vomits thats 48 hrs without child care.  So will either need a strong plan b or take time off.  Children are breading grounds for disease, especially when in new environments so once they start school they will bring back all sorts of illness, which as a parent it will be hard to avoid catching, 

Penguin_

It may be worth him contacting the DWP & asking. I know that if we have staff who aren't entitled to SMP for whatever reason, they can claim Maternity Allowance.

Spoonie_Turtle

UC is available to him if he has savings under £16,000; he wouldn't be required to work or look for work as the primary carer for a young child until they're 3
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/

UC with self-employment is tricky after 12 months, but if he only needs it for the first 4 months then he shouldn't encounter problems.

marcia_

Penguin_ said:

It may be worth him contacting the DWP & asking. I know that if we have staff who aren't entitled to SMP for whatever reason, they can claim Maternity Allowance.

 The DWP are not benefits advisors. They are civil servants who process claims. They are not taught the criteria for various benefits and frequently give very poor advice. 

sheramber

I would expect the biological mother will be claiming maternity benefit.

The surrogate father will need to apply for a parental order or adopt the child .

Is this being done through an organisation irbid it a private arrangement?

https://www.gov.uk/legal-rights-when-using-surrogates-and-donors/become-the-childs-legal-parent