Municipal Maternity Allowance
Plain English
It's a one-off maternity payment from your comune for mothers who don\'t get the regular INPS maternity allowance, usually because they\'re not working or have very low income. You apply through your municipality, not INPS directly.
Why it matters
For low-income mothers without employee status, this can be the only national maternity-related support available. The amount is set yearly and usually paid in a single transfer.
Real example
"After giving birth to her second baby in Trapani while between jobs, Chiamaka applied at her comune for the assegno di maternità. With a low ISEE, the one-off payment was approved a few weeks later."
Common confusion
This is paid by INPS but requested through the comune. The forms and rules are different from the regular maternity allowance for employees, even though the names sound similar.
Official source
INPS