Short Term Disability..

teachnkc

So I am pretty sure I am screwed in this arena... 

I am a teacher. This equals no paid maternity leave (aside from sick and personal days).  I live in Missouri and had not previously signed up for Short Term disability. I read through information about my state and it sounds like I am just really royally screwed on this. Is there ANYTHING I can do? Have you heard of any companies that take people after conception? I feel like such a moron, I should have known to do this. 

Thoughts? 

RunCarol

Hi teach! If you search indeed.com, there should be plenty of job listings there. When you search, look for equal opportunity employers. They are not able to discriminate against any groups of people, but must hire the most qualified candidate. You can usually even search the employers website to see if short term disability is part of their benefits. Hope this helps and good luck!

ClaireCecilia

I'm not sure, I just know in my district you have to sign up during open enrollment. I feel like it has to be before you are pg. Definitely worth researching. I think I will have zero sick days left after this baby. I'm kinda freaking out! I may have to go back earlier than 8 weeks.

watermullen

When I signed up for short term disability I had to fill out a form that specifically asked if I was pregnant. I don't know of any that will approve you after you are already pregnant but there could be. Good luck!

myspecialkid

If it's not automatically offered then you have to sign up at open enrollment unless you have a qualified life event. Even then if you sign up for short term they may have you certify no pre-existing condition in which case you still wouldn't be eligible.

I would start saving now whatever you can including your tax refund.

PCMac

I'm basically in the same boat. I didn't sign up for short time disability during open enrollment bc I didn't put 2 and 2 together. If it blatantly said maternity leave it would've helped me. Insurance is not my forte. ..

teachnkc

Thanks gals! I see a lot of tutoring in my future...

bethb51885

My company uses cigna for short term disability. I read the form a whole bunch of times very carefully and it did not ask about pregnancy. Whether they will cover me since I just signed up, I am not 100% sure. But they didn't ask.

missrachelMrsO

I have NTA they cover at any time. They actually encourage people that are pregnant to sign up. They tried to get my 7 months pregnant friend to do it. She did not but I did. It's pretty expensive but worth it to me.

missrachelMrsO

Aw man. They must have changed that in the last year or so. Definitely not in my policy. However, I signed up independently from work. They also offer coverage for the baby in case they end up in icu or have other complications beyond normal delivery. I have long term and short term with them. My short term starts after 3 days from the Dr's note.
Edit for typo

teachnkc

b0710 said:

Short term disability is not offered by my school and I honestly never thought to go through a private company. With both of my kids, I was given 6 weeks paid leave, but I had to use my sick days for that. If I wanted to take up to another 6, it would be unpaid. I only took 6 weeks with both of them. It was ok for me because I love my day care provider and felt comfortable sending my itty bitty babies there (in-home dcp), but I wish that I had had a longer leave. I may look at taking a few extra until aid weeks this time, but we will see I guess.

Wowsa! You had 6 weeks of days saved up? I think I currently (at this point) have 14 days total, and the add in next years days. I guess that might get me pretty close to that. Hubby and I sat down and crunched a few numbers and re-worked our budget a bit. Just trying to find all the little places where we can save even just a little. 

dmellen07

I signed up for NTA disability also, but I am having trouble submitting the paperwork. Any tips?

LoveLee85

Can you get days from coworkers?? I'm not a teacher but here my friend who is as 'gifts' she would give pregnant teacher friends in her school a hand full of days! Normally 10 days total. She's never sick and they would roll over-so she had TONS. 

chaser61

I am not a teacher but at my company, you have to be signed up for a certain amount of time before you are allowed to tap into the funds. So that is something to check too. We also can only sign up during the open enrollment.