maternity pay and paternity pay. confused!!

[bubbalikescandy]

HI i was wondering if anyone knows whether my dp can apply for paternity pay if he is self employed or if we will be entitled to anything.

Also, i work 18 hours a week, term time only, and earn over the minimum amount to claim smp. Will i still be entitled to 39 weeks pay? - baby due sunday.

Thanks, my employer is being more than unhelpful about this

dp should be able to claim get him to speak to his accountant or go to the job centre-they also deal with things like thi. Although there are strict rules on him not doing any work whilst on paternity leave - can only claim pay if have leave. As for yourslef the rules (just got my inland revenue books out!) are a bit complex and need to know more info best advice I can give you is to ring acas on 04857474747 - they are very good and will let you know what you can claim and how to convince employeer if you can claim!

bubba see this about paternity pay, fathers need 26 weeks continuance employment with the same employer to qualify...

As you probably now, SMP is worked out based on average weekly earnings - lots of people don't earn the same all year round. [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Workingparents/DG_10029290 This]] tells you how t's worked out and

[http://tiger.direct.gov.uk/cgi-bin/maternity.cgi this]] is an interactive thing whereby you put in your own personal information and it will tell you exactly what you are entitled to.
Hope that helps - have a look and post again if anything doesn't make sense.

Sorry this about maternity pay and this is the interactive thing.

Altho9ugh self emplyed women can get Maternity Allowance, self employed fathers are not entitled to paternity pay at all.

depends on the nature of DPs self employment

if he is set up as a limited company he's effectively an employee so can claim (I think)

if he's a sole trader type set up he won't get anything

You don't get paternity pay if you are self-employed, but depending on what his status actually is, employed by his own company or self-employed or whatever, he may or may not get it. His accountant will be able to tell him I am sure. I have to confess I'm not exactly sure myself of what his status would be if he is self-employed but has his own limited company. I would be interested in the answer!

Thanks everyone, I have worked out what i am entitled to so will get on to my employer asap!

I don't think my dp is entitled to paternity pay though but was worth a try

Paternity pay is only paid to employees.If your partner is an employee and fulfils the other criteria then in theory he would be entitled to paternity pay from his company. If he is a partner in a partnership then he will not qualify. If its his own business however he can simply pay himself if he wants to (i.e. effectively grant himself additional holiday). Its only £225ish in total anyway.