How Do I Apply for Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML)?

Your employer applies on your behalf via the GovBenefits portal. Here is exactly what happens, what you need to provide, and what to do if something goes wrong.

The Employer Application Process

For employed mothers, you do not apply for GPML yourself. Your employer applies on your behalf through MOM's GovBenefits portal (go.gov.sg/govbenefits). This is a business portal that your HR or payroll team will use.

1

Notify your employer

Inform your employer of your delivery date and baby's birth. Provide your baby's birth certificate, your NRIC, and your marriage certificate as soon as possible after birth.
2

Employer submits the claim

Your HR or payroll team logs into GovBenefits using their CorpPass, completes the claim form, and submits it to MOM for reimbursement. This must be done within 3 months of your baby's birth certificate being issued.
3

Government reimburses employer

For weeks 1 to 8, MOM reimburses the employer up to the S$10,000 per 4-week cap. For weeks 9 to 16, the government funds the payment directly. Your salary appears normally in your payslip throughout.
4

You receive your normal pay

As long as your employer processes everything correctly, you receive your maternity pay on your normal payroll schedule throughout your leave.

The claim can be submitted in advance (before the end of your leave) or at the end. Most HR teams do it after leave ends. Ask your HR team when they plan to submit so you know the timing.

What You Need to Provide to Your Employer

Baby's birth certificate

This confirms the baby's date of birth and citizenship status. You should receive this within a few days of registering the birth at ICA.

Your NRIC

Your Singapore identification number is needed for the MOM system.

Marriage certificate (for government-paid weeks)

Required for the government-funded portion (weeks 9 to 16). Employer-paid weeks 1 to 8 do not require this.

Self-Employed Women: Direct Application to MOM

If you are self-employed, you do not have an employer to apply on your behalf. You apply directly for the GPML benefit through MOM's WorkRight portal (www.mom.gov.sg).

To be eligible as a self-employed woman, you must:

Be a Singapore Citizen or PR with an SC baby
Have been self-employed and actively working in the 12 months before delivery
Have net trade income of at least S$500 in the year before delivery
Have made CPF Medisave contributions on that income

How much self-employed women receive

The benefit is based on your average monthly income over the 12 months before delivery, up to the S$10,000 per 4-week cap. If your income was irregular, MOM uses total annual income divided by 12.

If Your Employer Does Not Apply or Pay

If your employer refuses to apply for GPML or is delaying payment of your maternity salary, you have clear legal recourse.

1
Put your request for maternity leave and payment in writing to your employer or HR. Keep a copy.
2
If the employer does not respond or refuses, file a complaint with MOM via the iReport portal at mom.gov.sg/eservices or call 6438-5122.
3
MOM will investigate. Failure to pay maternity leave is a criminal offence under the Employment Act.
4
For discrimination cases (e.g. threatened dismissal for taking leave), contact TAFEP at tafep.sg.