Question for CA moms (maternity leave)!

tanister

Okay, so this is my first child and first time going through this. I work for the State of CA, so I qualify for PFL, FMLA, and CFRA with SDI & EDD compensating. I get the whole nine yards, but there's one thing I'm lost on and need clarification on before making a decision as to when my last day at work will be. 

This is my understanding of how it will work.

I'm due on 3/13/13. If my last day at work is 36 wks exactly, I will begin the 7 day SDI waiting period (with no pay) on 2/13/13. I will begin earning SDI pay on 2/20/13 and will continue to earn that SDI pay until she's born, regardless if she's on time, early, or late. Is that correct?

That's my biggest question here. If I go out of work at exactly 36 weeks and she's, let's say 2 weeks late (hypothetically), will I be paid through SDI for that "extended" time? Will I be paid from 2/20 until she's born on 3/27 (if she's 2 weeks late)? My fear is that I will be cut off from SDI pay once they've paid for 3 or 4 full weeks (meaning 3/13 or 3/20).

Strangely enough, I work in HR and have asked my supervisor about this (who is supposed to know all this stuff) and she didn't even know that you could be written out at 36 wks. SERIOUSLY? So she was of no help. I've tried calling SDI and EDD to get clarification, but they're lines are ALWAYS sooooo busy that they say they can't take any more callers and it just says "Goodbye" and hangs up on you.  

Any info and/or experiences with this will be EXTREMELY helpful and appreciated. Thanks!

mariahrb

i too, am a first timer at this.... so im not 100% sure plus i work for a company that doesnt have to comply with fmla. so considering that heres what i know..  

i was told that the doctor fills out some of the paper work with you for all that. may want to ask them. (i will be asking mine when it comes time)

from what i heard, is if you take off work early and ask sdi to pay, it will cut into the time after the birth. i was told you get 6 weeks paid for vaginal birth and 8 weeks off for c-section, and thats it. so on that note i wont be taking my paid sdi untill the baby is actually here and plan on working up till birth. i want to spend as much time as possible with the baby vs. time at home bored waiting for him to show up.

hope this helps.

bmv1980

mariahrb:

i too, am a first timer at this.... so im not 100 sure plus i work for a company that doesnt have to comply with fmla. so considering that heres what i know..nbsp;nbsp;i was told that the doctor fills out some of the paper work with you for all that. may want to ask them. i will be asking mine when it comes timefrom what i heard, is if you take off work early and ask sdi to pay, it will cut into the time after the birth. i was told you get 6 weeks paid for vaginal birth and 8 weeks off for csection, and thats it. so on that note i wont be taking my paid sdi untill the baby is actually here and plan on working up till birth. i want to spend as much time as possible with the baby vs. time at home bored waiting for him to show up. hope this helps.

I think sdi benefits will continue until your baby is actually born, because you have to send in a form ASAP notifying them of the birth so that they can transfer you to maternity benefits.

As for "saving" sdi benefits for after birth...I don't believe that's an option. I wanted to do that also, but was told that I would lose the weeks of sdi that is allotted for before having your baby. That is for pregnancy disability. I think you might still only get 6 to 8 weeks post partum. Double check. Your on should be very familiar with state pregnancy and maternity benefits.

bmv1980

Hahaha....I just noticed how old this post was :

iwubrory

Funny.. I was just going to be all helpful and give her the correct answer.. oh well.