Maternity Benefit
Maternity Benefit is paid to a woman who is pregnant or who has given birth.
MATERNITY ALLOWANCE
WHO QUALIFIES
A woman between the ages of 16 and 60 years , who
Has been employed for at least 30 contribution weeks, and who has paid at least 20 weekly contributions immediately before the date of the claim.
WHEN TO CLAIM
The first claim for Maternity Allowance may be submitted not earlier than thirteen weeks beginning with the contribution week before that in which it is expected that the claimant will be confined.
After confinement the doctor should be asked to fill out a certificate of confinement form, which should be submitted to the National Insurance Office within four (4) weeks of the birth of the baby.
Please bear in mind that an insured person should not claim a benefit of this type for any week during which she is at work.
AMOUNT OF BENEFIT
A claimant will be paid sixty-five percent (65%) of her average weekly wages for a maximum of thirteen (13) consecutive weeks.
N.B. The benefit will only be paid if the person is not receiving full salary from his/her employer while on leave.
MATERNITY GRANT
WHO QUALIFIES
A woman can qualify for the Maternity Grant if she or her spouse has paid at least twenty (20) weekly contributions in the thirty (30) weeks immediately before the birth of a child.
AMOUNT OF BENEFIT
The current Maternity Grant is a single lump sum payment of $630.00 for each child born at one confinement.
WHEN TO CLAIM
A claim for Maternity Grant should be submitted within four (4) weeks of the birth of the baby.
