Better-Compensated Maternity Leave
The required length of Social Security coverage to receive daily benefits during maternity, paternity, or adoption leave has just been reduced.
A recent adjustment has been made to the required period of Social Security enrollment for eligibility for daily benefits in connection with maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. For parents expecting a child before birth, Social Security daily benefits (IJSS) may be received, under certain conditions, in addition to the employer’s wage supplement.
From now on, a 6-month period of social insurance coverage as of the start date of the leave (or the date of childbirth for pregnant women) is sufficient to qualify for these benefits, as opposed to the previous requirement of 10 months. This change applies to insured individuals whose maternity, paternity, foster care, or adoption leave begins on or after August 20, 2023. This rule also applies to women whose maternity leave has been extended due to a medical condition caused by pregnancy or childbirth, provided that this extension began before August 20, 2023. This prevents the start date of maternity leave from being postponed in the absence of such an extension.
Even unemployed pregnant women are eligible for daily benefits, provided they have been out of work for at least 12 months and are receiving unemployment benefits from Pôle Emploi.
In order to promote a better work-life balance for parents, Article 8 of European Directive No. 2019/1158 of June 20, 2019, requires Member States to make the right to pay or benefits contingent on a six-month period of employment preceding the expected date of the child’s birth.
This reduction in the required period of insurance coverage from 10 to 6 months to qualify for IJSS benefits in the event of leave related to maternity, paternity, fostering, or adoption brings French legislation into line with the various measures adopted by the European Union.
The newly established 6-month deadline for receiving IJSS benefits in connection with leave related to maternity, paternity, fostering, or adoption applies to a wide range of individuals, including employees, intermittent entertainment industry workers, agricultural and non-agricultural professionals, self-employed individuals, and insured persons residing abroad.
