12 December 2014
The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Susie Pinel, has announced improvements to maternity benefit that will take effect from 1 January 2015.
Earlier this year, the States approved changes to the maternity benefit legislation that will give women more flexibility over when they start their maternity allowance period. Currently, women can only claim the full 18 weeks’ worth of benefit if they stop work at least six weeks before their baby is due. From 1 January 2015, under the new legislation, women will be able to work right up to their due date, if they choose to do so, without losing benefit.
Deputy Pinel said “The Department has modernised maternity benefit. Up until now, many women were unable to claim 18 weeks’ worth of benefit if they did not want to give up work a full six weeks before their baby was due. Now, if women wish, they can stay at work much closer to their expected date, and take longer off after the birth to spend with their new baby, without losing benefit.”
The new benefit rules also introduce ‘keeping in touch’ days, which allow women to attend work to undertake duties for up to a maximum of ten days without loss of benefit.
Deputy Pinel added “Many women will appreciate the option of taking part in some activities at work during their maternity leave, which can stretch over four months or more. Women might otherwise miss out on a training course or an important event or meeting.”
The process for claiming maternity benefits has also been reviewed and is now quicker and easier for the claimant.
The new rules regarding maternity benefit will come into force on 1 January 2015. If your baby is due early in 2015, please contact the Social Security Department to get advice on claiming under the old or new rules.
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