The right to Maternity Allowance is guaranteed to women who work with a formal contract or contribute individually to the INSS. This benefit provides for women to be away from work after the birth of the baby, adoption, legal custody for the purpose of adoption or non-criminal abortion.
Continue reading to learn more about Maternity Allowance and how you can apply.
What this article covers:
Who is entitled to Maternity Allowance?
All the women who work in the CLT regimes entitled to Maternity Allowance. The rule is also valid for individual taxpayers, who do not have a formal contract, but pay for the booklet monthly.
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Women who work with a formal contract need to be employed at the time of removal, childbirth or adoption to automatically receive the benefit. If you do not work under the CLT regimes, you must contribute for at least 10 months to be entitled to Maternity Allowance.
Are those who have never worked entitled to Maternity Allowance?
A woman who has never worked with a formal contract and never contributed to the INSS is not entitled to Maternity Allowance. Those who have or have had a formal contract need at least one contribution computed before the onset of pregnancy to apply for the benefit. This period increases to 10 months in the case of individual taxpayers.

Source/Playback: original
It is worth mentioning that those who will start contributing only after the birth of the baby are not entitled to Maternity Allowance.
How to apply for Maternity Allowance and what documents are required?
Maternity Allowance can be requested through the Meu INSS website or application, with the following mandatory documents:
- CPF;
- Medical certificate in case of leave before childbirth;
- The birth certificate issued after the court decision (in the case of adoption);
- In case of custody, the Term of Custody.
A power of attorney or term of legal representation and supporting documents of contribution time may also be required. Follow the steps below to apply for the benefit online:
- On the Meu INSS website or app, search for “New Order”;
- Enter your details and login;
- Scroll down the page and select “Pensions and Aid-Reclusion and Maternity Salary”.
After this procedure, just read the text and enter the requested data.
How long does it take to release Maternity Allowance?
The average period for releasing the benefit is around 45 consecutive days, which can be extended to three months depending on the location. The request can be followed on the Meu INSS website or application, under “Consult orders”.
How much money do you receive in Maternity Allowance?
For those who work with a formal contract, the value of the benefit is equivalent to one month of work. If the amount is less than a minimum wage, the amount of a monthly minimum wage is received during the leave period.
For individual contributors, the reference salary of the contribution is taken into account.
The benefit is paid by the company during the months of leave, but individual contributors receive the benefit directly from the INSS.
How long do I have to apply for Maternity Allowance after childbirth or adoption?
Maternity Allowance can be requested up to 5 years after the delivery or adoption. In the case of childbirth, the child cannot be 5 years old.
The Maternity Allowance is a benefit guaranteed by law, which allows the paid leave of absence of the woman after the birth or adoption of the baby. The request can be made online using a computer or cell phone, and the benefit is received monthly according to the salary or the amount of the monthly contribution to the INSS.