​      Maternity Benefits

     • The application should be made prior to the birth of a child or within 12 months of birth of the child.
     • The contributor must be receiving less than the normal remuneration whilst on maternity leave.
     • Benefits are payable at a flat rate of 66% to a female contributor for confinement or the period after birth of a child.
     • Benefits that are payable is the difference between what the employer pays and the rate that is prescribed in the benefit schedule of the                         Unemployment Insurance Act. When taking into account the amount paid by the employer and the amount prescribed in the benefit
       schedule, the total amount received should not exceed 100% of the normal remuneration that the person would have received if she remained in           employment.
     • Maternity benefits will be paid for a maximum of 121 days.
     • Application for maternity benefits does not affect the contributor’s rights to Unemployment benefits. This means that the worker may still qualify
       to receive Unemployment benefits should the worker become unemployed.
     • In the event of a miscarriage or a stillbirth, benefits are paid for a maximum period of 121 days.
     • The worker must have been employed for at least 13 weeks before the date of application for maternity benefits.
     • The employer must also declare as to whether the worker on maternity leave will be obtaining full or any remuneration whilst on leave.​


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