Confused About ESIC Maternity Benefits? Need Advice on Claiming After Leave

I'm working in an organization since 2011. My ESIC contribution was deducted from my salary from 2011 to 2013. After July 2013, my salary became more than 15k, so the ESIC contribution was not deducted. From January 2017, I was again under ESIC, and my contribution for the same was deducted until March 15, 2017, as I had to go for maternity leave from March 16. Now I have joined back, and I went to my ESIC office to claim salary for the past 6 months. However, they refused, stating that I should have contributed for at least 9 months to claim maternity benefits. Please advise.

Dear Sonia Devi,

Before proceeding on Maternity leave under ESI, you should have checked your eligibility by logging into the ESI Portal with your ESI Insurance Number. Now, please log in and take a print of the same and share it with your Employer.

Since you are not eligible for Maternity Leave under ESI, your Employer has to pay Maternity Leave, i.e., 26 Weeks Salary to you under The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Please submit your claim with all supporting Documents, Medical Certificate, Delivery Certificate, etc.