Maternity leave benefits in the Philippines are stipulated by law, for both the public and the private sectors in the land, in favor of women workers. If you know someone who need time off for maternity reasons, this FAQ will answer common questions to maternity leave and benefits.

Who are eligible for maternity leave benefits?

A covered female employee who is able to contribute at least three monthly contributions within the twelve-month period prior to the semester that she gave birth, had an abortion or miscarriage is eligible for benefits for maternity leave. This, given that she is employed would be eligible for benefits of maternity leave. A female employee shall be given financial benefit which is a cash equivalent to one hundred percent of her current basic salary, allowances, and other benefits.

However, these benefits are subject to these conditions:

1. That you shall have notified your employer about your pregnancy and your due date, which should also be transmitted to SSS and subject to their rules and regulations;
   
   
2. Your employer will make the advance payments which shall be paid in two equal installments within 30 days from the day you filed your maternity leave application;
   
   
3. In case of delivery through caesarian section, you shall be paid 70 days worth of benefits while on maternity leave, one day is equivalent to 100 percent of your daily wage;
   
   
4. Payment of benefits for maternity leave shall be considered your sickness benefits as provided by law for an equivalent of 60 days for the same childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion;
   
   
5. Your maternity leave benefits is only limited to the first four deliveries, which shall be paid the same compensable period of 60 days equivalent to 100 percent of your daily wage per day;
   
   
6. SSS shall reimburse your employer one hundreds percent (100%) of the amount given to you immediately after all verifications of the requirements you submitted together with your maternity leave application;
   
   
7. When you have given birth, suffer an abortion, or have a miscarriage and your employer failed to remit the required contributions or transmit your application for a maternity leave benefit to SSS at the time of your pregnancy, it is the employer's responsibility to pay the SSS the same amount of maternity leave benefits due to you and the latter shall in turn pay such amount to you.

If there aren't any problems in verification, benefits during maternity leave are immediately reimbursed to you by your employer even prior to discharge from the hospital. Maternity leave benefits in the Philippines have helped millions of women get through the maternity period financially. If you are expecting, notify your employer and SSS the soonest time you can for the timely processing of your maternity leave benefits.