Maternity Benefit is a welfare scheme run by the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board under the Labour Department of West Bengal for registered construction workers. The scheme gives financial support to pregnant female beneficiaries or the wives of male beneficiaries during pregnancy to help with maternal health and wellbeing.
Registered women construction workers in West Bengal can now get a maternity benefit of ₹20,000, a child care grant of ₹5,000 and an education scholarship for their children. The benefit can be claimed for up to two deliveries in a lifetime, and the application is filed online through the official BOCW portal.
Maternity Benefit - Introduction
Maternity Benefit is a dedicated support program offered by the BOCW Welfare Board under the Labour Department of West Bengal. This scheme helps registered construction workers by providing money help during pregnancy and after childbirth.
If you are a registered female worker or the wife of a registered male worker, and you have kept your registration valid for at least one year, you can receive this support. The benefit is available for a maximum of two times in your lifetime to help you manage expenses during maternity.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Maternity Benefit |
| Beneficiary State | West Bengal |
| Maternity Benefit | ₹20,000 |
| Child Care Grant | ₹5,000 |
| Eligibility | Registered Construction Workers |
| Benefit Frequency | Life-time maximum of two times |
| Nodal Department | Labour Department |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | megbocwwb.gov.in |
Benefits
Eligible beneficiaries receive a maternity benefit of ₹20,000 for each delivery, along with a ₹5,000 child care grant and an education scholarship for their children. This support is available for up to two deliveries during your entire lifetime.
The payment is made directly to the bank account of the beneficiary through DBT, so it helps cover treatment costs and other expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. The education scholarship supports the schooling of the children of registered workers.
Eligibility
To receive this help, you should meet the following criteria:
You should be a registered female worker or the wife of a registered male worker under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board of West Bengal. You must have completed one year of valid registration with the Board.
You should currently be pregnant at the time of application, and your pregnancy should be confirmed by a government medical officer. The maternity benefit is not available to those who are already receiving maternity benefit under ESIC.
Application Process
You can now apply online for the maternity benefit through the official BOCW portal. Follow these steps to claim your benefits:
STEP 1 - Visit the official BOCW online portal at megbocwwb.gov.in and log in using your registered account details.
STEP 2 - Select the maternity benefit option from the available services and fill in the application form with your personal, income and bank details.
STEP 3 - Upload clear copies of the required documents, including your BOCW registration card, Aadhaar card, bank passbook and the maternity certificate from a government hospital.
STEP 4 - Review the form, submit your application and keep the reference number safe to track the status of your claim on the same portal.
If you face any difficulty applying online, you can also contact the Assistant Labour Commissioner or the local Beneficiary Registering Officer for help. For further assistance, you may contact the Labour Department at 12th Floor, N.S Building, Block-A, 1, Kiran Shankar Roy Road, Kolkata-700001, or call the Shramik Sathi helpline at 1800-103-0009.
Documents
When applying for the maternity benefit, please make sure you have the following documents ready:
- Your valid BOCW registration card as a registered member, which shows your one year of continuous registration.
- A maternity certificate from a government hospital confirming your pregnancy, and the birth certificate of the child for child related benefits.
- Your Aadhaar card and a bank passbook linked to your Aadhaar, since the payment is made through DBT.
Definitions
Building and Other Construction Work includes a wide range of activities such as the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance or demolition of buildings, roads, bridges, railways, irrigation systems and power transmission lines, among others.
References
BOCW Online Portal for West Bengal
Employment Bank Welfare Details
FAQ's
What is the minimum age requirement for registration?
Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
Is there a work experience requirement for the primary registration?
Yes, you must have worked in building or construction for at least 90 days in the year preceding your registration.
How much financial aid is provided under Maternity Benefit?
The scheme provides a maternity benefit of ₹20,000 per delivery along with a ₹5,000 child care grant.
How many times can I claim this benefit?
You can avail of this benefit a maximum of two times in your lifetime.
Can I get the benefit if I already receive ESIC maternity benefit?
No, the BOCW maternity benefit is not available to those who are already receiving maternity benefit under ESIC.
What if my registration lapses?
If your registration is not renewed within one year, it is cancelled. However, you can submit a fresh application for renewal to the Assistant Labour Commissioner for reconsideration.
Where do I submit my application forms?
You can apply online through the official BOCW portal at megbocwwb.gov.in, or submit your application forms to the Assistant Labour Commissioner or local Beneficiary Registering Officer.