Maternity allowance (/məˈtəːnɪti əˈlaʊəns/) is a benefit provided to new mothers to support them financially during their maternity leave. The spelling of the word combines the feminine noun "maternity" (/məˈtəːnɪti/) which refers to the period of time when a woman is pregnant and gives birth to a child, with the noun "allowance" (/əˈlaʊəns/) which refers to a sum of money paid regularly to someone. Maternity allowance is an important benefit for new mothers as it helps them adjust to the added financial responsibilities of raising a child.
Maternity allowance is a financial benefit provided to women who are expecting a child or have recently given birth. It is a type of social protection that is intended to support working mothers during their pregnancy and in the early stages of motherhood.
The maternity allowance is typically offered by governments or employers, and its purpose is to compensate for the loss of income that occurs when a woman takes time off work due to pregnancy or childbirth. It is designed to ensure that women can afford to take leave and care for their newborn babies without experiencing financial hardship.
The specific details of maternity allowance may vary depending on the country or organization providing it. In general, it provides a certain amount of financial assistance to eligible women for a specified period before and after childbirth. This assistance can be in the form of a regular payment or a percentage of the woman's previous income.
To be eligible for maternity allowance, women usually need to meet certain criteria, such as being employed or self-employed and having made sufficient National Insurance contributions. Additionally, there may be requirements regarding the length of time before and after childbirth during which the allowance can be claimed.
Overall, maternity allowance serves as a crucial source of support for women during a time when they require financial stability and the ability to focus on their well-being and that of their newborn baby.
The word "maternity" originates from the Latin term "maternitas" which means "motherhood" or "motherly qualities". It is derived from the Latin word "mater", meaning "mother".
The word "allowance" comes from the Old French term "alouance", which means "approving, approving of". It is derived from the verb "alouer" meaning "to approve or to allow".
The combination of these terms gives rise to the phrase "maternity allowance", which refers to a financial benefit or compensation provided to women during their period of maternity leave or when they are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth.