Granting and disbursement of maternity benefit

When determining the amount of maternity benefit, the average insured salary calculated for the applicant is taken into account.

The average insured salary per calendar day is calculated:

For an employee, based on a 12-month period that ended two months before the month in which the pregnancy leave began.

For the self-employed person, based on the actual contributions made, for the last 12-month period, which ends one quarter (3 months) before the quarter in which the pregnancy leave began.

The average insured salary per calendar day is calculated using the formula:

Vd = (A1 + A2 + … + A12) : D

Where:

Vd – Average insured salary per calendar day

A1, A2 + A12 – Sum of insured salary contributions

D – Number of calendar days

If, during the 12-month period for which the average insured salary is to be calculated, the person has been:

• In child care leave,
• in unpaid leave granted due to the need to care for a child,
• in leave granted to the father of the child,
• in pregnancy and maternity leave,
• during temporary incapacity for work

then, when calculating the average salary, the mentioned days are excluded from the total number of calendar days.

If, during the entire 12-month period, there have been no income due to the reasons mentioned before, the average salary is calculated for the previous 12 calendar months before the leave and temporary incapacity periods, that is, from income earned by working or making mandatory contributions as a self-employed person. In such a case, there is an option to determine the average insured salary for the 12-month period prior to the occurrence of these justifiable periods.

On the other hand, if during the 12-month period there have been months without employment income because the person has not been in an employee status, has not made mandatory contributions as a self-employed person, or has been on leave without retaining their salary, the average salary for this period is determined at 70% of the average insured salary in the country.

The contribution salary sum does not include allowances, bonuses, benefits, and other types of compensation paid by the employer to the employee during temporary incapacity for work, pregnancy/maternity leave, or child care leave, or during unpaid leave granted due to the need to care for a child.

When calculating the average insured salary for determining the benefit amount, the severance pay and compensation for unused vacation are not included in the calculation.

The benefit is granted at 80% of the applicant's average insured salary.

The benefit is paid in two parts – before and after childbirth.

The first part is paid for 56 or 70 calendar days of pregnancy leave. The benefit for 70 calendar days is paid to the expectant mother, who has received medical care in a healthcare facility for preventive treatment starting before the 12th week of pregnancy and continuing throughout the pregnancy.

The second part, for 56 or 70 calendar days, is paid after the child’s birth.

The benefit for 70 days can be received if:

• The mother has had health complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum,
• Two or more babies were born.

The maximum period for which maternity benefit can be received is 140 days.

If there has been premature birth and the child was born before the start of pregnancy leave, the maternity benefit is granted under the same conditions as in the general case, for no less than 112 calendar days.

The benefit is transferred to the recipient's account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or in the postal settlement system (PNS).

If the benefit is granted in accordance with an international agreement on social security signed by Latvia or under the provisions of the Regulation, and the recipient’s place of residence is in an EU/EEA member state or a contracting state, the benefit may be transferred to the account of the relevant foreign credit institution.

If the person is simultaneously entitled to both maternity benefits and unemployment benefits, the maternity benefit will be paid during this period.

Maternity benefit can be received by a woman who is an employee or self-employed and who loses income due to pregnancy and maternity leave, and who has been issued a sick leave certificate (B form) by a doctor.

In certain cases, a woman who is not employed on the day the benefit is granted may also receive maternity benefit if:

• She lost her employee or self-employed status no earlier than 60 days before the start of her pregnancy leave.
• She lost her employee status due to the liquidation of the company 210 days before the start of her pregnancy leave.

The right to continue receiving the granted maternity benefit also applies if the employee or self-employed status is lost during pregnancy or maternity leave (while receiving the maternity benefit).

The father of the child or another person who is actually caring for the newborn at home may receive the maternity benefit:

• Until the 42nd day of the postpartum period if the mother cannot care for the child in the early postpartum stage due to illness, injury, or other health-related reasons.
• Until the child’s 70th day of life if the child’s mother has refused to care for the child, passed away during childbirth, or in the period up to the 42nd postpartum day, or if the child is a foundling.

Note!

If maternity benefit has been granted, it can only be received if the recipient does not earn income during that period, including payment of remuneration.

The only exception is if a self-employed person has registered economic activity with the State Revenue Service, their monthly income does not exceed the minimum wage, and the self-employed person makes social insurance contributions in the general scheme.

The right to receive maternity benefit applies to persons for whom mandatory contributions to maternity insurance have been made or should have been made:

• For at least 3 months in the last 6-month period before the month in which the insurance event occurred (the first day of pregnancy leave, from which the sick leave certificate B is issued), or
• For at least 6 months in the last 24 months.