Am I Entitled to Maternity Leave If I Am Self-Employed or Freelance?
Self-employed women in Singapore can claim a maternity benefit directly from the government. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Eligibility: Who Qualifies as a Self-Employed Mother
Self-employed women do not receive maternity leave from an employer, but they can claim a Government-Paid Maternity Benefit directly from MOM. This benefit mirrors the GPML but is applied for differently.
To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
You are a Singapore Citizen (not just PR)
Your child is a Singapore Citizen
You have been actively self-employed and working in the 12 months before the birth
You have net trade income of at least S$500 in the year before delivery
You have made CPF Medisave contributions on your self-employment income
This applies to sole proprietors, partners in a business, freelancers, independent consultants, and other self-employed individuals. If you are legally registered as self-employed for tax purposes and working, you should qualify.
How to Apply: Direct Claim from MOM
Unlike employed mothers, you apply directly to MOM. You do not go through an employer.
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1
After your baby is born, log in to the MOM WorkRight portal at mom.gov.sg using your Singpass.
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2
Select the Government-Paid Maternity Benefit claim form and complete it.
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3
Upload your baby's birth certificate, your Medisave contribution records, and income documentation (IRAS Notice of Assessment or business records).
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MOM processes the claim. Payment is made by bank transfer to your registered account. You will receive up to 16 weeks of benefit.
Submit within 3 months
The claim should be submitted within 3 months of your baby's birth certificate being issued. Do not leave it too long or you may lose weeks of benefit.
How Your Benefit Amount Is Calculated
The maternity benefit for self-employed mothers is based on your average monthly net trade income over the 12 months before delivery, capped at S$10,000 per 4-week block.
Example: Average income S$4,000/month
4 weeks of benefit = approximately S$4,000. You receive 16 weeks x (monthly income / 4.33 weeks per month). Total benefit = approximately S$64,000 over 16 weeks. This is below the cap so the full amount is paid.
Example: Average income S$12,000/month
4 weeks of benefit would be approximately S$11,077. The government caps this at S$10,000 per 4-week block. Total benefit = S$40,000 over 16 weeks (4 x S$10,000 cap).
If your income was variable, MOM uses your total net trade income over the 12-month period divided by 12 to calculate the monthly average. Make sure your Medisave contributions reflect your actual income, as this documentation is used in the assessment.
Platform Workers: Grab, Deliveroo, and Gig Economy
If you work through a platform (Grab driver-partner, Deliveroo delivery partner, Lazada seller, etc.), you are typically classified as self-employed for the purposes of Singapore employment law.
Platform workers qualify for the self-employed maternity benefit if they meet the same eligibility conditions: SC, SC baby, worked actively in the 12 months before delivery, net income of at least S$500, and Medisave contributions made.
| Worker Type | Maternity Leave Access | Who to Apply Through |
|---|---|---|
| Employed (full-time/part-time) | GPML via employer | Employer applies to GovBenefits |
| Sole proprietor / freelancer | Self-employed maternity benefit | Direct claim to MOM WorkRight |
| Platform worker (Grab, Deliveroo) | Self-employed maternity benefit | Direct claim to MOM WorkRight |
Note that Singapore has been expanding protections for platform workers. Check MOM's website for any updates to platform worker-specific regulations as these are evolving.