Maternity Benefit Payment

Maybe the first period covered was just two days and she will get a full week thereafter (with the possible exception of the last payment)? Does the payment not stipulate the period of time covered?

Will have to look at the dates later, and i assume that is what happened, but i expected 26 weeks of full payments.. Just checking is this the norm?

Also - would this apply?

Reduced rates

You may get half-rate Maternity Benefit if you are getting any of the following payments:

• One-Parent Family Payment
• Widow's Contributory Pension
• Widow's Non-Contributory Pension
• Deserted Wife's Benefit
• Prisoners Wife's Allowance
• Deserted Wife's Allowance, or
• Death Benefit by way of Widow's, Widower's or Dependent Parent(s) Pension (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme).

Maternity Benefit (full rate or half-rate) is not paid if you are getting Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) or Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory).

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Hi, I finished my maternity leave last year. Question is what do you mean with "full" entitlements? Depending on your income, the SW calculates how much money you will get per week and this will be send to you in writing. The max. is about € 1000 p.m. which works out roughly € 250 a week (could be slightly more a year later, but not much) - but as just said, that's about the max you get for "paid maternity leave/ benefit". Also what exactly do you mean with

expected 26 weeks of the same payment

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if she only got her 1st week?

Another point to consider is the date your wife started her maternity leave. If it started - let's say - last Thursday, then rightly, she only got 2 days from last week paid. I was always confused myself and double checked with SW via phone, usually the quickest way.

Thanks alaskaonline and Clubman. No none of the reduced rates apply. The full payment is €280 a week and i assume she only got approx 2 days worth but wont know until i find the correct commencment of payment date.

Would it be date baby is due?
This from www.welfare.ie :"Maternity Benefit is normally payable for a continuous period of 26weeks. At least 2 and not more than 16 of these weeks must be taken before the end of the week in which the baby is due, otherwise the client may lose some benefit."