Handbook for Self-employed Persons - National Insurance Scheme

06Payment of Maternity BenefitThe daily rate of maternity is 100% of the insured person’s average insurable weekly earnings,divided by 6.Average insurable weekly earnings means the sum of the insurable earnings on which contributionswere based over the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in whichmaternity benefit is payable divided by the number of weeks in the quarters.If at the end of the maternity benefit period the insured person is incapable of work becauseof pathological complications of confinement 4 , sickness benefit may be paid provided that onthe first day from which maternity benefit was payable the insured person had title to sicknessbenefit.Maternity benefit is not payable to a person who is out of the island unless that person has gonefor the purpose of receiving medical attention. The department should be notified of any suchvisit.Maternity GrantA self-employed woman may qualify for a Maternity Grant if: -a) she does not satisfy the contribution conditions for Maternity Benefit;b) the woman’s spouse has been an insured person and has paid the requisite number of contributionsthat would have enabled the woman to qualify had they been paid by her.Amount of Maternity GrantThe amount payable as a Maternity Grant 5 is $995. It may only be claimed by the woman whohas had a confinement. For purposes of a Maternity Grant, “spouse” includes a single man whois living together with a single woman for a period of not less than 2 years or 1 year plus nameas father on child’s birth certificate. “Single man” and “single woman” includes a widower and awidow respectively.4 Childbirth resulting in the issue of a living child or childbirth after 28 weeks of pregnancy resulting in the issue of a child, whetheralive or dead.5 A lump sum of money issued in settlement of a benefit.