Is Our Employee Eligible for ESIC Maternity Benefits After a Coverage Gap?

As we have a query regarding maternity benefits under the ESIC Act. One of our female employees was a member of ESIC from 01/05/2008, but she was out of the ESIC range from 01/04/2016. She became eligible again from 01/01/2017 when the ESIC limit increased. During the 9 months from 01/04/2016 to 31/12/2016, she was out of the ESIC limit. She delivered a child on 17/07/2017.

Is she eligible to receive maternity benefits under ESIC rules? Kindly assist with this matter.

You can check the eligibility for benefits by logging in to the IP Portal at [ESIC: Portal Application](http://www.esic.in/EmployeePortal/login.aspx) of ESIC with the employee's IP number. Click on the "Entitlement to Benefits" link. Here you can see the eligibility for different benefits.

Regards, Mahesh Kumar

My view: She started contributing to ESI from 1st Jan 2017 and 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.

Saikumar
HR & Labour Relations Advisor
Navi Mumbai