When Should Employees Apply for Maternity Benefit in Ireland?

Your Irish employees should apply for Maternity Benefit at least six weeks before their leave starts. 

As an employer, understanding these timelines ensures you can guide your team effectively and support them during this important life stage.

Learn when, where, and how your employees can apply.

When Can Employees Apply for Maternity Benefit in Ireland?

If you have expectant mothers on your team, they should apply for Maternity Benefit at least 6 weeks before starting their maternity leave. 

Self-employed women should apply for Maternity Benefit at least 12 weeks before starting their maternity leave.

To qualify for the benefit, your employees must:

• Have enough Pay Related Social Insurance or PRSI contributions.

• Be on certified maternity leave.

Read more about these Maternity Benefit Qualification Criteria. 

How Can Employees Apply for Maternity Benefit?

Your employees can apply for Maternity Benefit either online or by post, depending on their preference. Here’s what they’ll need to do:

Online Applications:

• Complete the Maternity Benefit application on MyWelfare.ie.

• Upload the MB2 form, which you (the employer) must complete.

For Self-Employed Women:

• Submit the MB3 medical certificate, completed by their doctor, along with the application.

Special Situations:

• End of Employment: If your employee's contract ends within 16 weeks before the end of the week their child is due, they should still include the completed MB2 form in their application.

• In Case of Stillbirth or Miscarriage: If a stillbirth or miscarriage occurs after the 24th week of pregnancy, or if the baby weighs at least 500 grams, your employees are still entitled to full maternity leave. In this case, they must submit a doctor’s letter along with the Maternity Benefit application. The letter must include the expected date of birth, the actual date of birth, and the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Learn more about the Irish Maternity Benefit Forms.

Where Can Employees Apply for Maternity Benefit?

The fastest way to apply for a Maternity Benefit is by submitting online applications on MyWelfare.ie.

Alternatively, your employees can submit their maternity benefit application via post by sending the Maternity Benefit application form to the following address:

Maternity Benefit Section,

Department of Social Protection,

McCarter’s Road, 

Ardaravan, Buncrana,

Co. Donegal, 

F93 CH79

Have more questions about Maternity Benefit?

Check out our detailed employer guide on Ireland’s Maternity Benefit.

How Can Employers Assist With Maternity Benefit Applications?

As an employer, you play a crucial role in helping employees access Maternity Benefit. Your responsibilities include:

• Providing the MB2 form: You must complete and sign the MB2 form, which employees submit with their application.

• Confirming employment details: Ensure accurate records of employment status and maternity leave dates.

• Informing employees: Educate employees on the application timeline and eligibility requirements.

• Supporting contract changes: If an employee’s contract ends within 16 weeks of their due date, they should still submit the MB2 form to claim benefits.

Manage Maternity Coverage and Health Benefits with Kota

As an employer, you may want to offer extra health and insurance benefits for your pregnant employees to better support them at this crucial time.

But how do you do that?

Try Kota!

Kota simplifies employee health coverage with maternity care plans and extra add-ons to support employees before, during, and after pregnancy.

With Kota’s Irish Life Health maternity extra, your employees gain access to:

• Antenatal classes

• Breastfeeding consultancy

• Postnatal support

• Maternity mental health care

For those on a fertility journey, the fertility extra covers:

• IVF treatments

• Egg & sperm freezing

• Fertility tests

• Mental health support

So why wait? Join Kota to easily manage, set up and scale your core benefits and support employee health and well-being.