Maternity
What is Maternity Benefit?
Maternity Benefit is payable to insured women while they are off work
during the advanced stage of pregnancy and in the period immediately
following confinement or to a husband whose wife cannot qualify on her
own.
Maternity Benefit is divided into two categories:
* Maternity Allowance
* Maternity Grant
Maternity Allowance
Maternity Allowance is paid at a rate of 65% of the woman’s average
insurable earnings during the 30 weeks immediately before the week that
payment of the benefit commences. This benefit is payable for a period
of twelve (12) weeks but not earlier than six weeks before expected
confinement.
Maternity Grant
A Maternity Grant is $522.00 and is payable after confinement. This
benefit is paid to the husband of a woman who does not qualify for a
benefit. The husband must satisfy the same qualifying conditions as if
it had been the woman making the claim for the Maternity benefit.
How to claim Maternity Benefit
A certificate of confinement or expected confinement confirming the
actual date of delivery or the expected date of delivery from a
registered doctor must accompany a claim for a Maternity Allowance. A
midwife can also certify the claim form but only in confinement cases.
A claim for a Maternity Grant is made on the same form as that for a
Maternity Allowance. Only the information relevant to receiving a
Maternity Grant must be completed.
Qualifying conditions for Maternity Allowance
Claimant must:-
* Be registered with the Scheme for at least 30 weeks
* Have paid contributions for at least 20 weeks in the 30-week period
immediately preceding the week of confinement
* Be between the ages of 16 and 60
Circumstances which may affect Maternity Benefit
If you return to work prior to the end of the 12 week period payable for
Maternity Benefit you should immediately inform the National Insurance
Scheme. Payment will cease immediately when you return to work.
An insured person may be disqualified from receiving a Maternity Benefit
if she:
* Works in any week for which payment will ordinarily be made.
* Fails without good cause to take care of her health or to answer
reasonable queries made by an officer of the National Insurance Board
designed to ascertain continuing entitlement to the Benefit.
* Fails without good cause to comply with a notice in writing by the
Director to undergo medical or other examination.
* Claim is not filed within the time limit specified without a valid
reason.
Claims for Maternity Benefit must be filed not earlier than the 8th week
before expected confinement or not later than 3 weeks after the date of
confinement.