Maternity Benefit under ESIC out of ESIC range from 01/04/2016

As we have a query regarding maternity benefit under ESIC Act. One our female employee was the member of ESIC from 01/05/2008 but she was out of esic range from 01/04/2016. Again she was eligible from 01/01/2017 when esic limit increase. During 9 months from 01/04/2016 to 31/12/2016, she was out of esic limit. She was delivered a child on 17/07/2017.
Is she eligible to get maternity benefit under Esic Rule? Kindly help in this matter.

You can check the eligibility for benefits by loging in to IP Portal at ESIC: Portal Application of ESIC with IP number of employee. Click of
Entitlement to Benefits link. Here you can see the eligibilty for different benefits.
Regards,
Mahesh Kumar

My view.
She started contributing to ESI from 1st Jan 2017 an delivered a child in July 2017. In my view, in terms of ESI rules, if she paid contributions for 70 days immediately preceding her date of confinement, then she will be eligible.
Other views welcome.
B>Saikumar
HR & Labour Relations Advisor
Navi mumbai