Maternity Benefit after quitting job

Hi,

Perhaps someone out there can help.

We have decided to become a single-income family just before the birth of our first child. My wife will be voluntarily finishing up work two weeks before she is due. She has paid full PRSI for two years. Is she entitled to get six months state maternity benefit or not? We have filled out the paperwork honestly but have not got a decision yet. Technically I think you are supposed to be "in work" before going on leave to have baby. We don't want to scam the system, but the money would be very handy.

Thanks
Raymond

Hi Raymond,

Firstly, congratulations to you both on your impending arrival, it's a very exciting time.

Your wife would definitely be entitled to Maternity Benefit as she is working up until the 2 week mark before her due date. She would be entitled to the full 26 weeks payment also but there would be no harm in ringing the Maternity Benefit section of the Welfare Dept just to double-check. She would be legally required to finish up two weeks before her due date regardless of whether she planned to return to work or not.

Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

AnnieC

Hi AnnieC

Thank you for the information!

I had heard from friends that you needed two go back to work for at least two weeks after the leave to make it fully legit, which was what prompted me to question whether we qualified. But perhaps that is an old regulation.

I guess I will give them a call

Thanks Raymond

Hi again Raymond,

I think that might be the case in some workplaces if they offer to top up your Maternity Benefit i.e. make up the difference between what you get from Social Welfare and your normal salary.

There's no harm in ringing them anyway just to clarify what the situation would be and also maybe your wife could contact the HR dept in her work if she doesn't have a copy of their Maternity Leave policy to hand.

As far as I can remember, there's no question on the MB10 asking whether you're returning to work or not as it's a direct payment from Social Welfare so it shouldn't be a factor in determining if your wife would qualify for the Maternity Benefit.