Hi,
Maternity benefit is normally payable for a maximum period of 12 weeks in case of confinement, 6 weeks in case of mis-carriage of medical termination of pregnancy and for one additional month in case of sickness arising out of confinement. Maternity benefit continues to be payable even in the death of an insured woman during her delivery or immediately following the date of delivery leaving behind a child for the whole of that period, and in case the child also dies, during the said period, until the death of the child.
Actually maternity benefit implies cash payment to an insured woman in case of confinement or mis-carriage or sickness arising out of pregnancy, pre-mature birth of child as certified by a duly appointed medical officer (of ESI or recognised). For entitlement to meternity benefit the contribution in respect of an insured woman should have been payable for not less than 70 days in the immediately preceding two consecutive contributions period corresponding to the benefit period in which the confinement occurs or is expected to occur.
An inusred woman, who decides to give notice of pregnancy before confinement, shall give such notice in Form 19 to the local esi office by post or otherwise alongwith a certificate of pregnancy in Form 20.
Maternity Benefit is payable to an Insured Woman in the following cases subject to contributory conditions:-
Confinement-payable for a period of 12 weeks (84 days) on production of Form 21 and 23.
Miscarriage or Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP)-payable for 6 weeks (42 days) from the date following miscarriage-on the basis of Form 20 and 23.
Sickness arising out of Pregnancy, Confinement, Premature birth-payable for a period not exceeding one month-on the basis of Forms 8, 10 and 9.
In the event of the death of the Insured Woman during confinement leaving behind a child, Maternity Benefit is payable to her nominee on production of Form 24 (B).
Maternity benefit rate is double the Standard Benefit Rate, or roughly equal to the average daily wage.
warm regards,
Umesh Chaudhary
(welcomeumesh@yahoo.com)