Maternity Benefit Query

smallbrowncat

Hi there,

I am trying to understand how Maternity Benefit works, and whether it would apply to me in my situation.

I'm not pregnant now, but my husband and I are planning to have our first baby to coincide with my current full-time employment contract ending in December 2012 (presuming health-wise that all goes to schedule!).

If my baby was born (not too long) after my employment contract ended in December 2012 (say, 1-3 months), would I be entitled to maternity benefit? I'm not sure whether I'd be offered a further contract (I work for an NGO, funding is tight), so I am presuming for planning purposes that there will be no further contract for me (ie no return to work at that employer after maternity leave). It says on Citizens Information that maternity pay is based on gross annual salary and number of weeks worked - my gross salary is €42k and I work full-time (so, 52 weeks a year?).

Therefore my questions are:
- would I (in theory) be eligible for maternity benefit for the 26 weeks?
- if so, approximately how much would this be?
- in addition to maternity benefit I would apply for child benefit too, so that would be an additional €140 per month, correct?
- is the amount that you're paid in maternity benefit dependent on your spouse's salary?

Obviously, I know all of this could change radically depending on what the budget is like later this year. Just would like some clarification based on what the law is like now!

Many thanks for your help

mrsbyrne

you will apply for maternity benefit no later than 6 weeks before your due date to ensure. maternity benefit starts no later than 2 weeks before yuor due date. you must be in insurable employment within 16 weeks of your due date. the maximum amount of maternity benefit you are entitled to is €262. your husbands salary is of no relevance to your entitlement to maternity benefit.You will also get child benefit, €140 per month.

smallbrowncat

Thank you mrsbyrne! Very helpful and much appreciated!