Insurance

My employer offers me health insurance but not maternity leave - I was told by a friend that if I went on disability for my leave then I would only get $170 a week. Have you taken out additional insurance for while you're on maternity leave?

I'm not pregnant yet but thinking about planning a family soon and want to make sure I have everything covered.

TIA!

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We do not have maternity leave either. We are able to use our sick days and personal days. Anything beyond that is unpaid.

The $170 your friend told you about sounds like the NYS disability - which is, I believe, a MAX of $170/week.

I'm a little confused about what you are looking for. Health insurance or maternity leave?

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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) says that:

Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:

for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

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This means you can get "maternity leave" or 12 weeks off - but it will be unpaid.

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Thanks! That is kinda what I was looking for. I guess I was wondering while you're ON maternity leave - is there any kind of insurance you can get that will help supplement the income that you're employer isn't offering. Sorry if this sounds confusing!

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Here is information about NYS Disability

Claims Payments

Disability benefits are only paid when you are disabled. Benefits do not include time off for family illness, injury or adoption.

The benefit rate is 50% of the employee’s average gross wages for the last eight weeks up to a maximum benefit of $170 per week. Claimants must be out of work eight (8) consecutive days to be eligible for benefits. The first week (seven days) is an unpaid waiting period. The maximum benefit is payable up to 26 weeks in a 52-week period.

Pregnancy related disabilities are paid the same as any other disability claim. Generally, a claimant is covered six (6) weeks after a normal delivery and eight (8) weeks after a Caesarian section (the first week is a non-paid waiting week). Time off from work requires medical documentation by the medical provider. The disability may be extended before or after pregnancy if there are complications.

Medical documentation for the disability must be provided for all periods you are requesting payment. Benefit checks are processed every two weeks.

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Thank you!

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I know what you are referring to. It would be an "add on" benefit offered by your employer.

My company doesn't offer maternity leave either but they have an added short term disability plan through AFLAC. This I think covers up to 60% of your income while out on maternity leave. If your company offers that benefit, then you could get the additional disability through that since NYS disability pays very little.

Hope that helps.

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Yes, definately start hinting because you would need to be on the plan for 10 months prior to the birth of your baby in order to receive the benefit. One of my coworkers told me it definately helps because NYS pays very little. I have to do this as well, my company already offers it so I just have to get on the plan.

BTW, you will have to pay a premium for the added insurance.

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does your employer off disability insurance? this is what i am going to use which will give me some paid leave (at 60% of my salary)

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My employer doesnt offer paid maternity leave either. All employers must supply you with NYS Short term disability, which is currently $170, or $157 after taxes.

Some employers (like mine) allow you to use your vacation and/or sick time to maintain full pay while out.

Some employers also offer you the option to buy into a long term disability policy. Usually there is a small premium and there is an application process. Check with your employer to see if they offer the Long Term. If they do, call the company that it is provided through and question them about maternity leave. A lot of them actually cover it. If they do, you will be given options about how many months (term) of coverage you would like. Your premiums with vary depending upon the term you choose. In most cases, the company covers about 2/3 of your salary. However, you are STILL eligible for NYS Short Term. So between the 2, you should be able to get close to your monthly salary.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, please let me know. I have gone through this process and know a good deal about it all.

Re: Insurance

One more thing...I would ge the ball rolling if you choose to try to get a Long-term disability policy. Most of them take a few weeks to kick in and won't cover "pre-existing" conditions. If you get preggo before the policy is in place, you are SOL.

Re: Insurance