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As a member of the Armed Forces you get 52 weeks maternity leave and may be eligible for 39 weeks statutory maternity pay
As a Service person, you’re entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, whatever your length of service. You may also be eligible for 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), the first 26 weeks of which may be enhanced to your full pay rate.
In addition to the above, you’re also entitled to reasonable paid time off for antenatal appointments, parent-craft classes and medical examinations. You’ll need to supply a doctor’s certificate confirming pregnancy. You may also be asked to provide written proof of the appointments.
Whether you intend to return to work or not, you may also take up to three weeks of unpaid antenatal leave between the 14th and 11th week prior to the expected week of childbirth. To qualify, you must elect to start your Ordinary Maternity Leave at the 11th week prior to the expected week of childbirth.
The first six weeks of SMP will be paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax. The remaining 33 weeks will be paid at the lower of either the standard rate of SMP or 90% of your average weekly earnings.
If the other parent is a Service person, they can apply to take up to two days’ leave to accompany an expectant mother to antenatal appointments.
The first thing you need to do is complete JPA Form R004 (if you intend to return to work after taking maternity leave) or R005 (if you intend to leave the Service), if possible no later than the 15th week before the week you are expected to give birth. The forms are available via DefNet at JPA forms
You also need to ask your doctor for a maternity certificate MATB1 or the equivalent form if you’re serving overseas. You can only do this within 20 weeks of when you are expected to give birth.
You should then ask your Commanding Officer/Line Manager to countersign the JPA form before sending it to your Unit HR office, together with the maternity certificate MATB1 or equivalent. If there is a delay in obtaining the maternity certificate, you can send this on separately once you’ve received it.
In due course you will receive a letter of acknowledgment from your Personnel Management Authority, confirming your maternity leave and pay entitlements
Page last updated: 23 January 2024
Read the Statutory Maternity page for employers
Read JSP 760 chapter 24 for more information about the Armed Forces occupational maternity scheme
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