Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) - qualifying rules

The criteria used for Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) in Sage Payroll.

This article helps you undertstand what is needed for an employee to qualify SNCP.

For more information about SNCP, read Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP).

The employers guide on the Gov.UK website has not been published yet.

SNCP applies to parents of children born on 6 April 2025 or after. Parents aren't entitled to SNCP if their child is born on or before 5 April 2025, even if they start neonatal care on 6 April 2025 or after.

To qualify for SNCP, an employee must:

• Meet HMRC's criteria as a parent with caring responsibility
• Give you the correct notice
• Remain employed up to the day they claim the pay
• Earn on average at least £125 per week gross in the eight week 'relevant period'
• Have worked in their employment continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the end of the relevant week'

HMRC will publish their detailed guidance for SNCP eligibility on Gov.UK. When this is available, we'll add a link in this article for more information.

Recovering Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)

Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)

Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) - entitlement

Recording Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP)