Paternity benefit help

40BalesOfHay

Hi all.

Expecting our first kid at the start of April.
Just wondering how the two weeks Paternity Benefit for fathers works.

I want to take off as soon as the baby arrives so do I put down the due date as the intended week to start and am I right to assume that it will be flexible if the baby arrives later.

My employer seems to be flexible with the dates but I'm just anxious about the state side of things.


Thanks!

splinter65

The rules say you can apply for dates and then “postpone” the start of the leave but it doesn’t say how this would work money wise, so you should give them a ring. Number: 1890690690
It’s funny because the pregnant woman can’t postpone her maternity leave any later then 2 weeks before due date.

40BalesOfHay

Thanks.

I found this, under paternity benefit faqs on the welfare site

"33. My baby did not arrive on the expected due date, how does this affect my Paternity Benefit?
Under legislation Paternity Leave must begin on or after the actual date of birth, or, in the case of adoption, the date of placement and within 26 weeks of that date. If your baby does not arrive on the expected due date please contact your employer in order to select another date on which Paternity Leave can commence. Should you wish to defer your Paternity Benefit payment please contact the Paternity Benefit section on 1890 66 22 44."


So if I need to delay my leave by a week for instance, I tell my employer and then ring the paternity benefit section? I think I'm reading that correctly.

raxy

40BalesOfHay wrote: »

Thanks.

I found this, under paternity benefit faqs on the welfare site

"33. My baby did not arrive on the expected due date, how does this affect my Paternity Benefit?
Under legislation Paternity Leave must begin on or after the actual date of birth, or, in the case of adoption, the date of placement and within 26 weeks of that date. If your baby does not arrive on the expected due date please contact your employer in order to select another date on which Paternity Leave can commence. Should you wish to defer your Paternity Benefit payment please contact the Paternity Benefit section on 1890 66 22 44."


So if I need to delay my leave by a week for instance, I tell my employer and then ring the paternity benefit section? I think I'm reading that correctly.

I don't think you need to ring them. The date you give is the date you get the payment. The time off does not necessarily have to coincide. You just need to keep your employer informed as you will be taking different days then originally planned.

splinter65

raxy wrote: »

I don't think you need to ring them. The date you give is the date you get the payment. The time off does not necessarily have to coincide. You just need to keep your employer informed as you will be taking different days then originally planned.

That seems sensible.