In the case of a premature birth, Maternity Benefit is payable for an extra period after the end of 26 weeks. The additional period will commence at the end of the standard 26 week period of paid maternity leave. The additional period to be added will be the number of weeks from the baby's actual date of birth up to two weeks before the expected date of confinement which would have been the 37th week of the pregnancy, at which point the current entitlement to 26 weeks leave and benefit would normally begin.
If your baby is born prematurely (before your maternity leave is due to start), you should inform Maternity Benefit Section enclosing written confirmation from your doctor of your PPS number, the date your baby was born and your original due date.