Disability/Maternity Leave?

I am very confused by this whole thing. My job does not pay anything for maternity leave, I know I have to get the $170 a week from NYS. My doctor last night told me that I need to stop working next Friday the 9th, a month before my due date because I work in the city and I would be 36 weeks at that point and it's too risky.

My question is does my disability/maternity leave start that day? And if so does that mean I only get 6 or 8 weeks from that point? I'm just thinking that if I don't have the baby for another 3-4 weeks I am really going to have no time off. Does that make sense?

Any help you can provide would be great!

Thanks!!

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

It depends on your company.

Mine if I went early it was short term disability and my maternity did not start until I had a baby in hand.

They are 2 different things where I work.

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

trying to find this out too. veryyy confusing!

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

I was just talking to my boss about this yesterday and we were both so lost. I work for a very small company and they don't pay anything for maternity leave. I only have my vacation/sick/personal, etc time that they'll pay me out for and gurantee my job but as far as disability we were so lost. I'd appreciate any info anyone can give as well. Who do we even contact to start the process?

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

You will still get your 6-8 weeks of disability once the baby is born.

For now - if the Dr deems you unable to work - you may be eligible for disability (concerns with commuting really don't fall under this bucket though).

The next few weeks before the baby is born though will be added to your 12 weeks of FMLA. So basically, if the baby arrives in 4 weeks from the 9th, you will be due to return to work when the baby is 8 weeks old.

ETA - Can you discuss with your employer the possibility of working remotely so that you can extend your FMLA time on the other end?

I commute to NYC and my Dr had no concerns with it. Around 38 1/2 weeks though I started working from home when I was pregnant with DS since the weather was bad). I plan on doing that again this time.

Message edited 2/28/2012 12:31:15 PM.

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

Thanks for your responses. I just called my doctor to clarify and basically they said it was up to my employer for before the baby arrives and short term disability and maternity leave were two separate things. Since my job does not cover anything most likely they will ask me to use my vacation/sick days, etc until the baby is born and then I would receive the normal 6/8 weeks from my due date.

Me coming out of work is more than just the commuting that's part of it but I also have high bp and GD so I'm sure that is what my doc will put down as the reason for me to come out of work next week.

I am going to talk to my boss now to verify but I believe this is what we need to do, ahhh things need to be easier haha

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

yea it depends on what your company's policy is, but I know for me, the first 5 days i have to use sick days then disability kicks in the following week

Re: Disability/Maternity Leave?

FMLA is for 12 weeks and includes time before the birth. Disability is for after the baby is born. Can you work from home?