What is the maternity benefit?
The maternity benefit is a cash benefit for mothers to secure income during the period when employment is prohibited to protect the mother. It can be claimed at the earliest seven weeks before the calculated date of birth. The maternity benefit is paid by the statutory health insurance companies and covers the duration of the statutory protection periods before and after the birth of the child.
When do I start receiving maternity benefits?
During pregnancy the doctor issues a certificate of the presumed date of delivery. Based on this date, the maternity protection period is calculated, it begins six weeks before the calculated date of delivery. The expectant mother can use this certificate to apply for maternity benefit at the earliest seven weeks before the calculated date of delivery.
The payment of the maternity benefit varies from one health insurance company to another. As a rule, payment is made within the six weeks before the calculated date of delivery. If the payment is delayed, you can ask the health insurance company and accelerate the payment if necessary.
The payment of maternity benefits varies from one health insurance company to another. You apply for payment at the earliest seven weeks before the expected birth. Payment is usually made within the six weeks before the calculated date of delivery.
If the payment is delayed, you can ask your health insurance company and accelerate the payment if necessary. The maternity allowance is paid during the statutory maternity protection period. That is, six weeks before the calculated date of delivery until eight weeks after delivery at the earliest.
If the birth is earlier than calculated, the days not taken up by the mother are added to the protection period. If the child comes later than calculated, the mother still has a maternity protection period of eight weeks after the birth. For multiple births or premature births, the period is extended to twelve weeks from the date of delivery. This means that the maternity protection period can vary in length. During this period the mother receives maternity pay.
