Parental Benefits

Because you pay Class 1 national insurance contributions, you are normally eligible to receive paid leave if you have a baby or adopt a child.

There are three types of payment available:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Where eligible, SMP is payable to expectant mothers to help them take time off work around the time of the birth and it lasts for up to 39 weeks. If you are expecting a baby, you must obtain a Maternity Certificate (MAT B1 or equivalent) from your doctor or midwife and you must send this Certificate (preferably via your diocesan office) to us, together with a note of the date when you wish to stop working.

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)
SPP is payable to the father of a newly-born baby, to enable him to support the mother in the first few weeks after the birth. It lasts for one or two weeks within 56 days of the date of birth. To receive SPP you must send form SC3 (preferably via your diocesan office) to us. This form is available under "resources" on the left hand side of this page. SPP is also payable to the second member of a couple adopting a child. It lasts for one or two weeks within 56 days of the date the child is placed. To claim SPP for an adoption, you must send form SC4 (preferably via your diocesan office) to us. This form is available under "resources" on the left hand side of this page.

Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)
SAP is payable to an individual, or one member of a couple, adopting a child to enable him or her to take time off work around the time the child is placed. It lasts for up to 39 weeks. If you are adopting a child and wish to claim SAP, you must obtain a Matching Certificate (or equivalent) from the adoption agency. You must send this Certificate (preferably via your diocesan office) to us, together with a note of the date when you wish to stop working.

As soon as we receive your claim, we will check your eligibility and notify you of your entitlement. If for any reason you do not qualify, we will advise you what other help may be available. Please note that SMP, SPP and SAP represent the statutory minimum entitlement to pay while you are not working. In most cases it will be the policy of the body funding your stipend (based on Guidelines issued by the Central Stipends Authority) to provide more generous arrangements for paid leave, as well as a period of unpaid leave.In all cases, if your spouse is employed, the appropriate claim should also be made to his or her employer.

Tax Credits

Most clergy with children qualify for tax credits. There are two types: (i) Child Tax Credit: a payment to support families with children; and (ii) Working Tax Credit: a payment to top up the earnings of working people on low incomes. It includes support for the costs of qualifying child care.

Tax Credits are paid directly to you.  A more detailed note about Tax Credits is available using this link. You may claim tax credits by visiting the Tax Credit Web Site using this link or by telephoning 08453 003900.

Childcare Voucher Scheme

We operate a Childcare Voucher Scheme. Use this link for further details.