You may get Maternity Benefit for a continuous period of 26 weeks whether or not you return to work following your maternity leave. To qualify for the maximum 26 weeks Maternity Benefit, you must take at least 2 weeks and at most 16 weeks leave before the end of the week in which your baby is due. If you fail to take the minimum 2 weeks leave, you may lose out on some benefit.
Can I be disqualified from receiving Maternity Benefit?
You will be disqualified from receiving Maternity Benefit under the following circumstances:
-
you engage in any form of insurable employment or insurable self employment during the period for which benefit is payable
-
you fail, without good cause, to attend for or to submit yourself for any medical examination that may be required
-
for any period of time spent outside the EU during the period for which benefit is payable
-
failure to apply for Maternity Benefit within six months of the birth of the child may result in loss of benefit.