When can I go on maternity leave?

You must clarify this with your HR department for your company specific policy. Maternity leave coverage varies according to your employer and your eligibility. State disability will pay for up to 4 weeks before your due date and up to 6 weeks after a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery. The state will not allow you to add weeks to the end if you do not take them ahead of time. If you have other disability coverage you may not be eligible for state disability. Your employer, depending on the size of the company, may allow you additional time off as unpaid leave.

What about early maternity leave?

Typical medical reasons for early leave are those things that put your pregnancy at risk. Placenta problems, twin pregnancy, blood pressure problems, heart problems, pre-term labor and premature rupture of membranes are examples of medical problems requiring early leave.

Where do I get the forms?

You can get the forms from you HR department at work or from the social security office. Our office fee for completion of these forms is $10 per form. You should fill out your portion then drop them off with your fee. Your insurance does not pay for completion of these forms (i.e. phone calls, copying, faxing, contacting you to clarify information, changing dates when applicable, postage, etc.). These forms are copied and mailed from the office.

After I have obtained the forms, how do I fill them out?

The forms will have a patient information part that we ask you to fill out and a physician part, which we will fill out. Please fill out the patient information part BEFORE giving the form to us. After we receive your form(s), we will fill out our part and the forms will be available for pick up from our office in 3-5 business days.

When should these forms be sent in?

For the state and federal insurances/leaves, the forms should be sent in no sooner than 8 days AFTER you disability starts. If your form is received before that time, you will be penalized monetarily. For the Private insurances, it is the opposite; the forms can usually be sent in BEFORE your disability starts.

How much does disability pay?

To calculate how much you will receive for the State Disability and CFRA please go to: www.edd.ca.gov/direp/de2588.pdf . For the private insurance, please contact your HR department.