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The rule is included in the program guidelines. Did you know that pregnant women have access to essential government benefits? Whether you are a formally employed worker or a Bolsa Família beneficiary, there is specific financial support for this phase.
Maternity allowance is a resource offered to women who need to take time off work due to childbirth, adoption, pregnancy loss, or obtaining judicial custody. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance during such crucial periods.
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Now, talking about Bolsa Família, it aims to assist families in vulnerable situations by supplementing their income to improve their quality of life. To be eligible, the income per family member cannot exceed R$218.00 per month.
But how are maternity allowance and Bolsa Família combined?
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Both can be received together, as long as the total income does not exceed the limit established for the family. The math is clear:
- Determine the amount of the maternity allowance (if you have formal employment, it is equal to your salary; if you are unemployed and within the INSS qualifying period, it is equivalent to the minimum wage);
- Add this amount to the family's other income, disregarding Bolsa Família;
- Divide this sum by the total number of family members;
- If the result is up to R$218.00 per member, great! The benefits are cumulative. If it exceeds this amount, Bolsa Família may be discontinued.
Benefit duration
- Legal or unintentional abortion – 14 days;
- Adoption – 120 days;
- Fetal death – 120 days;
- Receiving custody for adoption – 120 days;
- Birth – 120 days.
Who can receive maternity assistance, regardless of Bolsa Família?
The INSS provides the benefit to:
- Formal employees, including temporary workers;
- Unemployed individuals with insured status;
- Domestic workers;
- Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEIs);
- Individual contributors;
- Special insured individuals.
It is worth noting that it is not only for those who are employed. Bolsa Família beneficiaries may receive an additional R$50.00 per month. On the other hand, if you are formally employed and contribute to the INSS, maternity pay is your right.
How to apply for the benefit?
The application can be submitted online, on the official website, through the “Meu INSS” app or via Instituto 135, which operates from Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Brasília time).
Instructions for applying online:
- Access the INSS website;
- Select “maternity benefit”;
- Click “Request”;
- Choose “Schedule”;
- Enter your CPF and create your account;
- Fill in the necessary information and submit.
And if you are not contributing to INSS, can you receive the maternity benefit?
In addition to the qualifying period, the mother or adoptive parent must submit a certificate issued by Social Security. Those who stopped contributing but have already completed this period retain their right. However, proper documentation is vital for the assessment.
Read also: Bolsa Família announces the introduction of debit cards to facilitate payments
Men, whether or not they receive Bolsa Família, are also entitled to the maternity benefit.
Surprisingly, many do not know that men can also access this benefit. In adoption cases, the law grants the maternity benefit to the adoptive father for 120 days.
The application is valid until the adopted child reaches 12 years of age. Proof is provided through the court document of custody or adoption.
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For same-sex couples who decide to adopt, the 120-day leave with maternity pay is possible. It is crucial to say that, if two men adopt, only one will receive the benefit.
If the mother dies, maternity pay may be granted to the partner. If she was already receiving it, the partner will have access to the remainder. However, if the death occurs during childbirth, he will receive the full 120 days of the benefit.
