How maternity leave works: Learn how to join the benefit

Working women have an extra concern about their career after the baby is born. As much as there is maternity leave, many have doubts about how to proceed to be supported at this time. That's why we brought you a lot of information about this benefit, in order to clarify the rights that mothers have in this very important stage of their lives.

Maternity leave has existed since 1943 and since then has undergone some changes. Today, it contemplates women who are about to have a baby and need to take time off work, who have just given birth or who have had an adoption. The leave is 120 days, and the INSS pays her the maternity salary for the total length of the leave, including from the first day of leave, which can happen up to 28 days before delivery, or from the birth of the baby.

For women who have had a miscarriage or a case provided for by law, the leave is 14 days. If the company has joined the Citizen Company program, the deadlines can be extended by up to 60 days, with the exception of adoptions, whose license period will depend on the age of the child: 60 more days for adopting babies aged up to 1 year, an increase of 30 days in the case of children aged 2 to 4 years, and an additional period of just 15 days for the adoption of children aged 4 to 8 years.

Regarding the salary paid, formal workers will receive the same salary they receive at the company, or the average of the last six salaries, if they earn commission. For self-employed women or women registered with the MEI, an average of the last 12 contribution salaries is paid. In the case of maids, they will receive the amount of their last salary. Finally, rural workers receive the amount of a minimum wage. It must be remembered that the maternity salary is only paid to women who contribute to Social Security, even if they are self-employed.

How to apply for maternity pay?

For those who work with a formal contract, the company itself requests the benefit. However, in other cases, it is the woman who must apply.

To apply, you must:

• Access the “Meu INSS” website or application and enter the password;
• Click on “Urban Maternity Salary”;
• On the next page, click on “Start”;
• Fill in the form with the child's birth data or choose “Start without certificate”.

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