Eligibility for SPL and SPB depends on the parent's circumstances. Below is a summary for different family situations.

Single mothers:

Single mothers are eligible for SPL and SPB, in the same way as Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML). A single mother may take the full duration of SPL/SPB to support her caregiving needs. If she marries the child's father within the first year of the child's birth, both parents can decide how to share the remaining leave.

Single fathers:

Single fathers are not automatically granted SPL/SPB, similar to Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL). However, an appeal may be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Single fathers remain eligible for other leave schemes, including Unpaid Infant Care Leave, Childcare Leave, and Extended Childcare Leave.

Widowed parents:

A widowed parent may use any unused portion of SPL/SPB (in full weeks) that was allocated to their deceased spouse. If the sharing arrangement needs to be changed after the first 4 weeks of the child's birth, a request can be submitted via the online form. Employer approval is not required in this situation, in recognition that the loss of a spouse is beyond the parent's control.

Divorced parents:

Divorced parents remain eligible for SPL/SPB, provided they were married to the child's other parent at any point between conception and the child's birth, even if they are no longer married at the time of the child's birth.