...In this section_ Introduction Sickness Benefits Maternity Grant/Benefit Unemployment Benefit Employment Injury Funeral Grant Survivors' Grant/Pension Non-contributory Old Age Pension Old Age Contributory Grant/Pension Invalidity Grant/Benefit      Related links

If you're employed, to qualify you must have:
- been insured for at least 26 contribution weeks
- paid at least 16 contributions in the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in which the benefit could become payable

If you're self-employed, to qualify you:
- must have not fewer than 39 contributions paid or credited to your account in the four consecutive quarters ending with the quarter but one before the contribution quarter in which benefit could become payable
- must have paid at least 16 contributions in the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in which the benefit could become payable

What's the rate of Maternity Benefit?
The daily rate is 100% of your average insurable weekly earnings, divided by 6.

Suppose I'm unable to work after the end of my maternity leave?
If you can't work because of delivery complications, sickness benefit can be paid, once you are eligible, from the day that your maternity benefit was payable.

If I go overseas will I receive a Maternity Benefit?
No, you will not receive a maternity benefit if you're out of the island unless you leave for medical attention.

Suppose I don't qualify for a Maternity Benefit?
Then you may be eligible for a maternity grant.

How can I qualify for a Maternity Grant? To receive a Maternity Grant:
- you must not be insured through the NIS or
- you must be insured but not able to meet the contribution requirements for maternity benefit
- your spouse must have been insured and have paid the required number of contributions that would have enabled you to qualify if you had paid them yourself

So I have to be married to receive a Maternity Grant?
No. In this case "spouse" includes any single man with whom you, if you're single, have been living for 2 years or more. Single, in this case, also refers to widows and widowers who have not remarried.

What's the amount of money I'll receive if I apply for a Maternity Grant?
You'll be able to claim $1,125.00 if you went through a period of confinement.

For more information download the NIS Guide to Benefits booklet in our Information Zone which you can view in Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have Acrobat, click here to download it.