Statutory Adoption Pay Calculator 2026

Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) is paid for up to 39 weeks to eligible employees who adopt a child. Week 1-6: 90% of average weekly earnings. Weeks 7-39: £187.18/week or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower (2025/26).

You must: (1) be an employee (not self-employed); (2) have worked continuously for 26+ weeks by the week of matching notification; (3) earn on average at least £125/week (Lower Earnings Limit); (4) be the primary adopter (not partner).

Weeks 1-6: 90% of average weekly earnings (no cap). Weeks 7-39: £187.18/week (same as SMP statutory rate) or 90% of AWE if lower. Total SAP period: 39 weeks (13 additional unpaid weeks of adoption leave available).

The primary adopter gets SAP and adoption leave. The partner gets Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and 2 weeks' paternity leave. Shared Parental Leave is also available, allowing the couple to share up to 50 weeks of leave.

SAP starts from the day the child is placed with you for adoption — not from matching notification. You can start up to 14 days before the expected placement date.

The qualifying week is 15 weeks before the expected week of placement (or the date you are notified of being matched for overseas adoption). You must have 26 weeks' service by this week.

Yes — employers reclaim SAP from HMRC. Standard rate: 92% of SAP paid. Small Employers' Relief (payroll NI bill under £45,000): 103% of SAP paid, effectively recovering slightly more than they paid.

Yes — for overseas adoptions, the qualifying week and leave start dates differ. You must have received official notification of being matched and provide evidence of the official overseas adoption authority. SAP can start before the child enters the UK.