Short Term Disability?

Question

So I plan to take short term disability while I take my maternity leave from work. I’m hoping to be able to do the full 12 weeks covered by FMLA. Is short term disability something I can get squared away before I give birth? Or is it something I can’t claim until baby gets here? And I’m not talking about getting paid right away, just getting things in line so when baby does get here I’m not juggling a newborn and trying to get that settled. Any advice?

Answer

I would reach out to the company you or your employer has the short term disability with. Mine has forms you can fill out prior to the birth to get the process started. Also, ask how many weeks they pay and if there is a waiting period for them to pay. Mine pays 6 weeks with a 1 weeks waiting period (so really only paying 5 weeks) and I can use a week of PTO to supplement the waiting period. Also ask the % of your wages they will pay.
It also might be easier to speak with an HR rep at your work!

Answer

I think it depends on the state but in CA I filled out all the forms online and then there were forms for my Dr and employer to fill out and send back also.

Answer

I may be wrong, but my understanding after talking to my HR is that FMLA protects your job for the 12 weeks after baby; however, short term disability only will pay for 6 weeks for a vaginal birth and 8 weeks for c-section. Any additional time off is without pay unless you are fortunate to have an employer that offers paid vacation or maternity leave. 
In addition i was told if I get to a point where I need to start cutting back my hours or my doctor puts me on my bed rest or there are additional complications for me or baby FMLA can protect job for 1 year from date of filing

Answer

I live in CA and the way it worked for me last year with my first daughter is I applied online after I gave birth.  I went into preterm labor 6 weeks early and had an emergency c-section, so not the typical situation and not sure if this works differently in terms of completing the paperwork with a baby that arrives full term with the DI part.
For paid benefits, I was given 4 weeks of Disability Insurance (DI) which is supposed to cover the 4 weeks before birth and then 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (PFL), although PFL would be 6 weeks if you deliver vaginally.  I applied online and then called my doctors office who finished the process for me. My employer said EDD never contacted them, but my claim was processed quickly and I was paid about 60% of my income.  I applied for DI first and then was automatically transitioned to PFL.

Answer

You can bring the paperwork to your doctors office a little bit in advance to get it started! They obviously won’t know your exact delivery date but they’ll start it with just your due date and send it in so your employer is prepared...

Answer

Have you signed up already? I took short term disability for a month in February for knee surgery. You don't put your paper work in until your leave starts.

Short Term Disability?

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