Understand how to apply for maternity pay and get your questions answered!
What is maternity pay?
Maternity pay is a social security benefit granted to working women and those insured by the INSS (Brazilian National Institute of Social Security) who are on maternity leave due to the birth or adoption of children.
In short, the goal of this benefit is to ensure financial stability for the family during the adjustment period to the new member.
To apply for maternity leave pay, you need to access the "Meu INSS" system, available both on the website through a web browser and via an app. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your request:
- Access "My INSS";
- Log in with your CPF (Brazilian tax identification number) and password (or register by following the instructions);
- Click on “New order”;
- Type the name of the benefit in the search bar;
- Select the corresponding benefit;
- Follow the on-screen instructions and submit your order.
Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the documents required for the application, such as medical certificates in case of absence from work 28 days before childbirth, and documents proving pregnancy or adoption of the child or adolescent.
It is worth noting that this process is applicable to those who are not employed.
If there is an employment relationship, the employer is responsible for requesting maternity pay, and will later be reimbursed by the INSS (Brazilian National Social Security Institute). In this case, the employee only needs to provide the necessary documents.
Who is entitled to maternity pay?
Maternity leave pay is intended for formally employed women who contribute to the INSS (Brazilian Social Security Institute), including urban and rural workers, apprentices, domestic workers, and others.
Those insured by Social Security are also entitled to the benefit, even if they are unemployed, as long as they are contributing to the INSS (Brazilian National Institute of Social Security) or are within the grace period, which is 12 months after the suspension of contributions (and can reach 24 months for those who have contributed for 10 years or more).
What is the amount and duration of maternity pay?
The amount of maternity pay depends on the beneficiary's situation. If the woman is unemployed, the amount will be one minimum wage (R$ 1,212 in 2022). If she is employed, the amount will correspond to her monthly salary.
The benefit typically lasts for 4 months (4 installments). However, if the worker is employed by a company affiliated with the Empresa Cidadã program, she is entitled to 6 months of leave and maternity pay.
Are men entitled to maternity pay?
Maternity leave pay is preferentially granted to the mother, but in cases of adoption or same-sex couples, it is possible for the father to receive the benefit. The progress of the request can be followed through the "Meu INSS" app or portal in the "My Requests" section.
Is it possible to receive maternity pay before the child is born?
The worker can take leave from work up to 28 days before childbirth, and in this case, the benefit request must be made before the birth.
However, since payment takes 30 days, it will only be made next month. During the month of leave, the employee receives her salary normally.
When can I apply for maternity pay?
It is possible to request the benefit starting 28 days before childbirth. In the case of adoption, the request can be made as soon as custody of the child is confirmed.
What is the difference between maternity pay and maternity leave?
Maternity pay is a social security benefit paid by the INSS (Brazilian National Institute of Social Security), guaranteeing the worker's remuneration during the leave period.
Maternity leave, on the other hand, is the period of absence itself, corresponding to the employment benefit.
Employed women are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while unemployed women are only entitled to maternity pay.
The duration of both benefits is the same, but in companies registered in the Empresa Cidadã program, the leave period and the benefit can be extended.
What other rights does a pregnant woman have besides maternity pay?
In addition to maternity pay, pregnant women are also entitled to maternity leave, job security (they cannot be dismissed without just cause), and protection against unhealthy or dangerous activities that could put their health and that of the baby at risk.
In fact, the company has an obligation to reassign the pregnant employee to another role during her pregnancy, in order to protect the health of both the mother and the baby.
