Maternity Benefit is a payment provided to women who are on maternity leave from work, so long as they are covered by their PRSI. Anyone who is looking to receive the maternity benefit is advised to submit their application at least 6 weeks before they go on maternity leave (and at least 12 weeks if the person is self-employed).
In some cases an employer may continue to pay their employee in full while they are on maternity leave and seek to have the maternity benefit paid back them. This should be discussed with your employer to see how the maternity benefit is applied.
The application form for Maternity Benefit can be downloaded from the Hazelhill Family Practice website. The benefit is administered by the Department of Social Protection and completed forms should be submitted to the address provided on the Maternity Benefit Application Form.