Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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531. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which self-employed women can access the standard maternity payment. [4446/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A self-employed woman can access maternity benefit payment by applying either online at www.mywelfare.ie or by paper application.

They must have their doctor complete an MB3 (Medical Certificate for Maternity Benefit) and submit it to the Department when applying for maternity benefit. This medical certification can be uploaded in support of an online application or attached to the MB1 and posted to the Department, if making a paper application.

In order to qualify for maternity benefit, a self-employed applicant must have 52 qualifying contributions paid in one of the last three tax years.

Self-employed applicants are advised to submit their claim 12 weeks in advance of their leave commencing to allow enough time for processing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.