Maternity Benefit
Maternity Benefit is a periodical
payment made to a woman who is rendered incapable of work as a result of her
pregnancy and confinement. The benefit is payable at the rate of 60% of the
Claimant's Average Weekly Insurable Earnings for a maximum period of 3 months.
Following are the requirements which must be satisfied for an insured woman to qualify for Maternity Benefit:
- Present a Medical Certificate certifying that she is pregnant, and expected to confine by a specific date;
- Complete and submit a Maternity Benefit Application form;
- Have been insured with DSS for at least 30 weeks and
- Have been in insurable employment for at least 20 weeks in the last 30 weeks immediately prior to the commencement of maternity leave.
- Not have engaged in any activity which could result in the Disqualification of her claim.
All Claims for Maternity benefit must be submitted to the DSS within 3 weeks from the Expected date of Confinement, and the Employer Certificate (found on the reverse side of the Medical Certificate) must be duly completed by the employer before the claim is submitted.