Applying for maternity pay while receiving a benefit
If you are pregnant and receiving an unemployment, sickness or salary-linked WGA benefit, you will be able to apply for maternity pay (‘zwangerschaps- en bevallingsuitkering’).
When to apply for maternity pay
You will need to decide when you would like your paid maternity leave to start. You are free to choose any date as long as it is between 4 to 6 weeks before the day after your due date. Make sure you apply for maternity pay 2 to 4 weeks before your maternity leave starts.
How to apply for maternity pay
If you are receiving an unemployment benefit, log in to Mijn UWV so that you can access and complete the ‘Maternity pay application form’ (‘Zwangerschapsuitkering aanvragen’). You will need either a DigiD account or a valid European electronic ID (‘Europees erkend inlogmiddel’) to do this.
If you are receiving a sickness or salary-linked WGA benefit, call UWV Telefoon Werknemers (the employee helpline) and ask them to send you the ‘Maternity pay application form’.
What you will need when applying for maternity pay
- your due date
- the exact date your maternity leave starts
Please note: You will need to get a maternity certificate (‘zwangerschapsverklaring’) from your doctor or midwife. Keep this certificate for at least 1 year after your maternity leave has ended, as we may ask for it at a later date.
Changing your application
You might want to make changes to your application, such as changing the date on which your maternity leave starts. Please call UWV Telefoon Werknemers to inform us of these types of changes.
Decision about your maternity pay
You will receive a decision about your maternity pay application within the first 4 weeks of your maternity leave.