Mothers report delays in maternity payments for June; Health Insurance Fund says there is no stoppage
New mothers say June maternity payments have still not arrived; the Health Insurance Fund says most payments are completed and only a small number of files need additional documentation.
Several new mothers in North Macedonia have taken to social media in recent days to complain they still have not received maternity benefit payments for June, even though it is mid-August. The posts and shared testimonies describe mounting financial pressure as families struggle to cover essentials while waiting for the state allowance.
On Facebook and other platforms users have posted messages and questions such as: "Did anyone receive a pathological or maternity payment today?", "Mothers, write if you received a payment today" and "Did anyone receive maternity pay for June today?" Many say they have received no official answers about when the funds will actually appear in their bank accounts.
Officials: most cases processed, a small number need documentation
The Health Insurance Fund, responding to requests for clarification, denied that there is any systemic delay in payments. In an official statement the Fund said: "For the majority of beneficiaries, the procedure for payment of the maternity allowance for June has been completed. There is an insignificant number of cases where payment has not yet been executed, mainly due to the need to supplement or correct data and documentation required to complete the specific case." The Fund added that processing is continuous and that each file moves to payment only after verification, control and approval.
The Fund also clarified there is no single fixed date in the month for disbursement of maternity allowances and rejected claims that staff annual leave is blocking the procedure. According to the institution, payments are handled on a rolling basis according to completeness of each application.
Meanwhile, mothers who spoke about the matter say they are not asking for special treatment but for the guaranteed legal right to be respected. They urged authorities to introduce a permanent, systemic fix so that families no longer face monthly uncertainty during the period they should be able to care for their newborns.
Photo: prilog MRT
