(A) Maternity Allowance (Bi-Weekly Cash Benefit)
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How to qualify for Maternity Allowance
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YOU MUST
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OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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TIME REQUIREMENT
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• Be an insured woman on maternity leave
• Have 50 paid contributions
• Have 25 paid and credited contributions of which 20 must be paid within the 39 weeks immediately before the benefit is to begin
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• Make two (2) claims on the prescribed form (MB1):
Please click here to download form MB1
• For period before confinement: The claim, signed by the insured woman, is accompanied by a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor, stating the expected date of confinement
• For period after confinement: The medical certificate section on the claim must be signed by a registered doctor or midwife who assisted in the delivery
• Employer must declare claimant’s employment status. Record the salary or wages(SM2 Form)of the insured woman 39 weeks immediately before the benefit is to begin. Attach SM2 to the MB1
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• For period before confinement: submit claim eight (8) weeks before expected date of confinement as shown on medical certificate
• For period after confinement, submit claim, three (3) weeks after the date of confinement
• If claim is not submitted within 8 weeks before confinement and 3 weeks after confinement a good reason must be given by the insured woman
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How much and for how long is the Maternity Allowance?
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Rate of Benefit Payment
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Period of Benefit Payment
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• 80% of Average Weekly Insurable Earnings of insured woman, in 39 weeks before maternity leave commences
• The minimum benefit payable is $44.00 weekly.
• The maximum benefit is $256.00 weekly.
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• A maximum of 7 weeks before confinement
• May be less than 7 weeks before confinement and more than 7 weeks after confinement
• A maximum of 14 weeks Benefit is paid in two payments; one for the period before confinement and one for the period after confinement.
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(B) MATERNITY GRANT (One Lump Sum)
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How to qualify for Maternity Grant
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YOU MUST
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OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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TIME REQUIREMENT
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• Be an insured woman
• Have been confined
• Have 50 paid contributions
• Have 25 paid contributions in the 50 weeks before confinement
OR
• Be an insured man
• Have 50 paid contributions
• Have 25 paid contributions in the 50 weeks before spouse's confinement
• WIFE, (married or common-law) has been confined
• WIFE does not qualify for the benefit
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• The insured woman must
have claimed Maternity Benefit on the prescribed form (MB1)
• MB5 must be fully completed and signed by the insured contributor
• A male claimant (insured man) must make claim on the prescribed form (MB5)
Please click here to download form MB5
• Must present Birth Certificate or certificate of registration of birth of child, showing claimant as the father
• Can receive only one grant per calendar year (January to December)
• Employer must declare claimant’s employment status. Record the salary or wages (SM2 form) of the insured man 50 weeks before confinement. Attach SM2 to the MB5
• If woman is receiving maternity allowance NO SM2 is required.
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• Submit claim within 3 months after date of confinement
• If claim is not submitted within 3 months after date of birth, a good reason must be given by the insured contributor and recorded on the MB5.
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How much is the Maternity Grant?
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Rate of Payment
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Period of Payment
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• $300.00 per child
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• One-time payment
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(C) SICKNESS BENEFIT immediately following MATERNITY LEAVE PERIOD (Weekly Cash Benefit)
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How to qualify for Sickness Benefit following maternity leave period
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YOU MUST
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OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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TIME REQUIREMENT
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• Be unable to return to work due to complications arising from delivery
• Be 14 years or over and under 65 years
• Have 50 paid contributions
• Have 5 paid contributions in 13 weeks, immediately before going on Maternity Leave
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• Submit claim on prescribed form (SB1)
The medical certificate on SB1 section must show cause of illness and number of days you are unable to work
• Claim must be signed by a registered doctor in Belize. Claim must be signed and dated by the insured woman.
• Employer must declare claimant’s employment status. Record the salary or wages (SM2 Form) of the insured woman 13 weeks before the week illness commenced. Attach SM2 to the SB1Form
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• Submit claim on prescribed form (SB1), within 4 days from the first day of illness shown on the medical certificate
Please click here to download form SB1
• If claim is not submitted within 4 days, good reason must be given and recorded by the insured contributor
• No sum shall be paid for any period, more than 13 weeks before the date the claim was made
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How much and for how long is the Sickness Benefit, following maternity leave period?
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Rate of Payment
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Period of Payment
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• 80% of Average Weekly Insurable Earnings of insured contributor, in 13 weeks before Maternity Leave commenced
• If sickness period exceeds 26 weeks, additional 13 weeks are paid at 60% of Average Weekly Insurable Earnings
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• As of first day of illness
• Payment includes Sundays
• Payment to continue as long as employee is medically certified unable to work
• Continues as long as employee is not at work, due to illness (complications arising from delivery)
• For a maximum period of 39 weeks
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GUIDELINE FOR COMPUTING (2) MATERNITY BENEFIT
*Cash Benefit is 80% of the Average Weekly Insurable Earnings, payable for Sickness, Injury and Maternity.
*Sickness Benefit:- After 156 days of illness, weekly cash benefit for additional 78 days is calculated at 60% of the Average Weekly Insurable Earnings. Maximum period for Sickness Benefit is 234 days, after which the insured contributor can apply for Invalidity Benefit.