Reduced subscriptions and maternity leave

Members may be entitled to use the 2013 Reduced Subscription Claim Form to pay a reduced subscription if:

• their gross income is below £19,370 for the year ended 31 December 2012,
• they started maternity leave during 2012
• or they are a student member attending an RTPI accredited course on 1 January 2013

The member may be asked to provide evidence later of reduced income or circumstances.  The form needs to be completed each subscription year.  An email scan of the form can be emailed to the Subscriptions Team.

This table shows the reduced subscriptions available.

The form indicates the amount to be paid.  Payment can therefore be made at this stage - the Subscriptions Team will not issue a reduced subscription notice for payment.

Gross Income

Gross income includes the member's salary, wages, pensions, state benefits, private insurances, interest or dividends from investments and any other income.  The member's partner's income is not included here.

Maternity Leave

Members need to be aware of the following in claiming a reduced subscription with regard to maternity leave in this instance:

• the father can claim a reduced subscription if he is the primary carer
• adoption leave is treated as maternity leave for this purpose
• if both parents are members of RTPI, only one member can claim

Note that a member claiming a maternity leave subscription reduction should bear in mind that they may also be able to claim a reduced subscription in the following subscription year on the basis of low income.

Student Members

Students on the final year of their RTPI accredited course can claim a free subscription.

Financial Hardship

There is a scheme available which responds to a member's rapid change in financial circumstances.  More information can be found here.

Other information

If the member's subscription is to be paid by direct debit then the claim form should be with the Subscriptions Team at least 3 weeks before the next payment date so that if can be affected.

A claim form may be provided at any time to the Subscriptions Team up until the end of the subscription year.  A refund may be due if payment against the subscription has been already made.