NIS Barbados Maternity Benefit : National Insurance Scheme

Organization : National Insurance Scheme (NIS)
Facility : Maternity Benefit
Country : Barbados
Website : https://www.nis.gov.bb/maternity-grant-benefits/

How is NIS Maternity Benefit Computed in Barbados?

The maternity benefit is not payable to a person who is out of the island unless that person has gone for the purpose of receiving medical attention.

Related / Similar Facility : NIS Barbados Death Benefit

** Benefit payable from: 1st January
** Relevant quarter: April to September
** Monthly salary during the relevant quarter: $3,000
** Total Insurable Earnings in the relevant quarters: $3,000 * 6 = $18,000
** Average weekly rate: $18,000/26= $692.31
** Weekly benefit rate: $692.31 * 100% = $692.31
** Daily benefit rate: $692.31/6 = $115.38

Average insurable weekly earnings means the sum of the insurable earnings on which contributions were based over the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in which maternity benefit is payable divided by the number of weeks in the quarter.

If at the end of the maternity benefit period, the insured person is incapable of work because of pathological complications of confinement, sickness benefit may be paid provided that on the first day from which maternity benefit was payable the insured person had title to sickness benefit.

Payment of the maternity benefit is not affected by any payments which the employer may make to the claimant while she is off for maternity leave.

Who Are Eligible For NIS Maternity Benefit?

i. Employed Persons:
To qualify for the maternity benefit, an employed person:
a) must have been insured for at least 26 contribution weeks; and
b) must have paid at least 16 contributions in the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in which the benefit could become payable.

ii. Self-Employed Persons:
To qualify for the maternity benefit, a self-employed person:
a) must have not less than 39 contributions paid or credited to her account in the four consecutive quarters, ending with the quarter but one before the contribution quarter in which benefit could become payable; and
b) must have paid at least 16 contributions in the two contribution quarters but one before the contribution quarter in which the benefit could become payable.

Payment of Maternity Benefit

Providing that the required conditions have been met/ satisfied, the daily rate of maternity benefits is 100% of the insured person’s average insurable weekly earnings, divided by 6.

Amount of Maternity Grant

The amount payable as a Maternity Grant is currently $1,260. It may only be claimed by the woman who has had a confinement. For purposes of a Maternity Grant, “spouse” includes a single man who is living together with a single woman for a period of not less than 2 years or 1 year, plus named as the father on the child’s birth certificate. “Single man” and “single woman” include a widower and a widow respectively.