not sure how to go about this...

JLW0504

So, I am a first time mom, well, in 8 months I will be I recently changed jobs because my former job was AWFUL!! Since I will only have 11 months under my belt by the time baby comes, I don't qualify for FMLA. I do however, qualify for ST Disability. I have heard stories that if you're "confirmed pregnant" You only get 4 weeks. How do I go about asking for the disability? Do I come out and say I'm pregnant(I haven't been to the 1st appt. yet, so no MD confirmed findings). I don't want to miss out on the standard 12 weeks, but I certainly don't want to commit fraud either.

FemShep

I think you may have misheard the information about your STD plan.

First, find out how your STD covers pre-existing conditions.  Some plans have a waiting period for coverage for pre-existing conditions, and if you were pregnant before your coverage began, it's considered a pre-existing condition. The date you first go to the doctor is irrelevant.

Generally, STD plans provide 6 weeks of coverage for vaginal births and 8 weeks of coverage for c-sections.  Your doctor can request additional coverage if s/he feels it is medically necessary. STD plans vary in the percentage of pay they provide, and some employers will continue benefits while others may suspend them or ask you to reimburse the cost. Some STD plans cap total benefits as well. Since there is so much variation in plans, you should review your plan documentation as soon as possible, but you don't need to delay your doctor visit since the important date will be the date of conception, not diagnosis. Good luck! 

FemShep

Sorry, OP, I'm not sure I answered all of your question,  

You don't need to "apply" for disability until you actually miss work.  It's premature to do so now, and you may want to hold off on telling your employer that you're expecting until you've entered the second trimester (or are even further in your pregnancy).  Also, some employers will require that you take vacation time before you are eligible for STD, and many have a waiting period of 3-7 days before STD kicks in; again, review your plan information! 

Pips09

FemShep:

I think you may have misheard the information about your STD plan.

First, find out how your STD covers pre-existing conditions.  Some plans have a waiting period for coverage for pre-existing conditions, and if you were pregnant before your coverage began, it's considered a pre-existing condition. The date you first go to the doctor is irrelevant.

Generally, STD plans provide 6 weeks of coverage for vaginal births and 8 weeks of coverage for c-sections.  Your doctor can request additional coverage if s/he feels it is medically necessary. STD plans vary in the percentage of pay they provide, and some employers will continue benefits while others may suspend them or ask you to reimburse the cost. Some STD plans cap total benefits as well. Since there is so much variation in plans, you should review your plan documentation as soon as possible, but you don't need to delay your doctor visit since the important date will be the date of conception, not diagnosis. Good luck! 

I just want to clarify one point here- the STD plans I've worked with all use treatment for a condition as the barometer for a pre-existing condition. So if you have not seen a doctor, that can definitely affect your coverage. If you have not seen a doctor prior to the coverage commencing, they will not exclude you for having a pre-existing condition. Again, this is for the plans that I have worked with, so check your summary plan description for what they consider a pre-existing condition. It may say a condition for which you have received treatment, in which case that will work in your favor. The company still might have a waiting period for coverage to commence, so you will have to take that into account.

ETA- STD and FMLA are not the same thing, so you can be approved for one and not the other. Your company can approve you for 6-8 weeks off during STD, but not approve addtional time off that you would get under FMLA.

FemShep

Pips09:

FemShep:

I think you may have misheard the information about your STD plan.

First, find out how your STD covers pre-existing conditions.  Some plans have a waiting period for coverage for pre-existing conditions, and if you were pregnant before your coverage began, it's considered a pre-existing condition. The date you first go to the doctor is irrelevant.

Generally, STD plans provide 6 weeks of coverage for vaginal births and 8 weeks of coverage for c-sections.  Your doctor can request additional coverage if s/he feels it is medically necessary. STD plans vary in the percentage of pay they provide, and some employers will continue benefits while others may suspend them or ask you to reimburse the cost. Some STD plans cap total benefits as well. Since there is so much variation in plans, you should review your plan documentation as soon as possible, but you don't need to delay your doctor visit since the important date will be the date of conception, not diagnosis. Good luck! 

I just want to clarify one point here- the STD plans I've worked with all use treatment for a condition as the barometer for a pre-existing condition. So if you have not seen a doctor, that can definitely affect your coverage. If you have not seen a doctor prior to the coverage commencing, they will not exclude you for having a pre-existing condition. Again, this is for the plans that I have worked with, so check your summary plan description for what they consider a pre-existing condition. It may say a condition for which you have received treatment, in which case that will work in your favor. The company still might have a waiting period for coverage to commence, so you will have to take that into account.

ETA- STD and FMLA are not the same thing, so you can be approved for one and not the other. Your company can approve you for 6-8 weeks off during STD, but not approve addtional time off that you would get under FMLA.

Good point.  Moral of the story: read the plan documentation carefully! 

Netty_3

I got my job in April and had LO in October.  Our STD was based on how much leave time you had and whether you were stil on probationary period.  I was able to take 9 weeks with LO, anymore time would have been unpaid. I'd talk to your HR person about the policy and see what you can work out.

waTracy

Not sure if it's different for others, but for me, I had to sign up for STD before I was pregnant. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I found out after BFP so I didn't qualify to cover maternity leave. But as we are trying for #2, I signed up a year ago so I'm all good.  

 

I've also heard that some places require you to be working for a certain amount of time before they let you use STD.