Maternity Benefit
The National Insurance Maternity Benefit is paid to insured women who are away from work as a result pregnancy.
The benefit is comprised of a weekly payment of a Maternity Allowance (to maximum of 14 weeks paid in a lump sum) and a Maternity Grant of $3,750.00.
The benefit is not paid if a pregnancy has lasted less than 26 weeks unless the pregnancy resulted in a live birth. You may, however, be entitled to sickness benefit.
Who Can Claim Maternity Benefit (Allowance and Grant)
You can claim for the maternity benefit if -
- You are between the ages of 16 and 65;
- You are an insured woman;
- You are certified as being at least 26 weeks pregnant by a medical practitioner,
The maternity benefit includes the maternity grant in the sum of $3,750.00 for each child and the maternity allowance which is based on your average contributions. To qualify for either benefit you must have been employed and paying contributions for 10 out of 13 weeks, (6 weeks before the estimated or actual week of delivery).
The full maternity benefit is paid in the following instances -
- If your pregnancy lasts less than 26 weeks but results in a live birth.
- If your pregnancy lasts 26 weeks or more and results in a live birth.
- If your pregnancy lasts 26 weeks or more and does not result in a live birth.
You will also qualify for Maternity Benefit if you were in receipt of a Sickness or an Employment Injury Benefit immediately before your maternity period.
When To Apply?
You can apply for this benefit not earlier than the 27th week of pregnancy. However, you must apply within 13 weeks of the actual date of delivery.
How To Apply?
Complete the Application Form NI 12 (Maternity Benefit Claims Form) and submit it together with support documentation to the NIBTT Service Centre most convenient to you. There, one of our customer service representatives will accept your claim for processing.
Please remember to have the doctor/registered midwife complete Section B of the form, not earlier than the 11th week prior to expected date of delivery. Section C of the form is to be completed by your employer.
Form To Be Completed
NI12 Maternity Benefit Application Form.
NI12A Medical Report Certifying Multiple Births This form is to be completed only when the pregnancy results in the birth of more than one child. It is to be completed and lodged at the National Insurance Board within three (3)months of the Date of Delivery.
Supporting Documentation
- Your Birth Certificate if not previously submitted.
- Birth Certificate of the infant(s) original and copy.
- Any supporting affidavit or Deed Poll (where necessary).
- It is mandatory that claimants or third parties submitting claims on behalf of the insured must present some form of original valid identification and a copy of same.
- A Marriage Certificate is required for a married woman whose name has changed since her registration.
- Decree Absolute for divorced women.
- Alternative evidence of confinement, e.g. Birth Certificate of child; letter from attending doctor or registered midwife confirming confinement.
- Proof of employment can take the form of recent payslips (within the 52 week period prior to the period presented at Section C-Table 1A) or job letters (no earlier than three (3) months) and TD4's.
- In the case of a midwife certification, a certified copy of the medical certificate/
- Foreign medical certificates must be accompanied by a letter of authentication in respect of the doctor's status from a member of a Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in the country where medical attention was sought. The responsibility for authenticating the status of the attending doctor rests with the insured.
- In the case of a midwife certification, a certified copy of the medical certificate/report that the claimant submitted to the employer confirming the pregnancy.
- Proof of Account e.g. Bank/Credit Union Statement in claimant's name.
While proof of employment and the birth certification of the infant(s) and midwife
certification are not mandatory submission of same will reduce the processing time of your benefit payment.
Late Applications
You must apply on time to ensure that you receive your benefit.
Time Frames:
| 0-3 Months | Claim on time and can be accepted |
| 3-12 Months | Claim late and may be accepted with good cause |
| 12 Months and over | Claim late and shall be disallowed |
What is Paid?
Effective March 4, 2013 the Maternity Grant was increased to $3,750.00.
The value of the maternity allowance will be determined by the average of the 10 highest contributions in the 14 weeks immediately preceding the start of your maternity period.
The maternity period begins 6 weeks before your expected week of delivery (E.W.D.).
The earnings class to which this average relates is the class in which your benefit will be paid.
For how long will the Maternity Allowance be paid?
Maternity Allowance is only paid for the period that you are away from the job due to your pregnancy up to a maximum of 14 weeks. That period can begin no earlier than 6 weeks before your week of expected delivery or not later than your actual week of delivery.
Where the woman is away from the job for less than 14 weeks she will be paid only for the period that she is on leave.
What happens if the insured person cannot resume work after the Maternity Benefit period? Where you are medically certified as unable to work due to sickness and you continue to lose earnings, a Sickness Benefit may be paid.
Benefit Credits
While you are receiving the Maternity Allowance neither you nor your employer pays contributions to the NIBTT on your behalf. You will receive benefit credits from the NIBTT as if you were on the job and contributing to the system. These contributions will be awarded in the same earnings class in which your benefit is paid. The benefit credits will ensure that your loss of earnings does not affect the value of your entitlement to further benefits.
Use of National Insurance Forms
Whenever you perform National Insurance functions under the National Insurance Act or
Regulations, you must accurately complete the specific National Insurance
forms that are designed so that you can give all the information required.
All of these forms are available FREE of charge at any National Insurance Service Centre or are downloadable.
