Venting.....

stop stressing first of all, go down to board of social services and apply for medicaid, then since you did work it doesn't matter how long you have worked at a company to get temp. disability. and they have to by law give you 4 weeks before your due date and 6 weeks after. they don't have to pay you but they do have to hold your job. and you have another 30 days before they cancel your health benifits.

Family and medical leave in this country sucks!!!! In France they get 16 weeks paid! fathers get leave too. BUT...if you lose your insurance due to the loss of a job, you can apply for assistance. They raise the income limits for a pregnant family. You will get dropped 8 weeks after delivery, but at least it is something. Once you get dropped (assuming that you wouldn't have qualified if you weren't pregnant), you canask your case worker to put an application in for you for adult basic insurance. It is cheap, but it doesn't cover prescriptions.
I hope this helps some....and come here any time to vent any time...youwill always find someone who agrees with you!!!

hey,

I am not sure about your income level, but welfare has a Healthy Begingings program that covers you while you are prego and then for 6 months after.

D., I don't know how much money your husband makes but you might be able to qualify for "emergency" medical assistance. I had to have my appendix removed a few years ago and I didn't have any insurance so they applied for me at the hospital and I was accepted. I wasn't married then though and they do count your spouses income. You can go online and look at the income requirements or contact your local county assistance office. Count your baby on the way as a member of the family, so you would be a family of 4. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Just a quick note regarding a response you received which states "They have to give you" time off, I'm sure you already know that's not true. You wrote that you've been at your job less than a year, so you do not qualify for FMLA. I think the responder missed that. Some people think FMLA will cover any pregnant woman, but that's just not the case. Some people also may not realize that not all companies offer disability insurance as a perk.

Best of luck! Things generally have a way of working themselves out, so try to relax and, in addition to applying for assistance, you might also want to apply for unemployment. It can't hurt to try, right? I think your reason for not working is valid! I was just approved because after my last son, we couldn't afford daycare. Go figure!

I sympathize with you. I went through almost the same thing you are when I was about to have my 3rd child. I was 3 months away from being at my job for a year. They didn't have paid maturnity leave and I found out at a later date that the insurance didn't even cover the hospital expenses, so I'm still paying on that. And to top it all off, I went back to work a week early only to get fired, then they tried to fight unemployment benefits. It was a very bad ordeal. I just hope everything works out for you. Good luck and think positive.

Hi D.
Im sorry for you dilema. Just remember that all the financial stress pales in comparison to the life that you are bringing into the world !!

My husband switched jobs right before my daughter was born. I applied for medical assistance. They told me there is no income limits for pregnant women in Pa. Its worth a shot...you'd have one less thing to worry about.

Good luck,
A. R

Hi there! I agree with the other posters, you should qualify for MA if you are pregnant. I know there are income limits if you aren't pregnant, but with a family of 4 (which you would be counted as) the income limit is higher, and if you aren't working, or your income is not that high, you should qualify. At the very least, your new one can be covered under MA or CHIP, same with your daughter. Definetly check out the Department of Public Welfare's website, even if the info is confusing, get the number to your local office and call ASAP on Monday. They will be able to get you the right info.

Good luck!

D.,
You may want to check and see if you can get short term disability for 2 weeks before and 6 weeks after the baby is born. I work for a company based in New Jersey and that is how it was handled there.

I don't know your whole story... But when I was pregnant with my son I was under my moms insurance and I got drop the day I left the hospitle after Chandler was born... I applied for Medical Ass. and they covered back 30 days... I would call your local Welfare Office and see about appling for Medical Ass. And depending on how much you make then also have Daycare Ass. They will help you pay some or most of your daycare expense. Isnt not the same as Walfare but they should be able to give you the number... I know that some people don't like getting help but its there for you when you really need it... It wouldn't hurt for you to call and explain whats going on and see if and how they would be able to help you... I know that people look at me when I go shopping because I get Food Stamps... But if it wasn't for the Ass. my son wouldn't have food to eat... I do work 40 hours a week... But I live on $50 after I pay bills... I don't like having to get help... But if it wasn't for that I wouldn't get by... Even when you are doing your best that you can some times you just need help...

Do you have a HR dept at your work? Start there. See if there are any programs that can assist you in your time off period. My work has a PTO assistance program. Employees donate leave to this fund & others can apply for it. I maybe doing this. I also have not been there a year & am not eligible for the FMLA & short term disability.

Welfare has a program that can help you with the car, too. I was told this after I donated my car to charity. They can help with the repairs. They can help you with getting a car, too.

Hi D.. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now. I just wanted to reassure you that everything will work out fine. I know it seems easy to say, but it's true. Don't worry about insurance. It's not like the hospital is going to say you can't have your baby until you get insurance. You can always apply for the medical card through your county assistance office. God has a way of providing. Just try to relax, and enjoy your time off. Good luck in all, and God bless.

hey, just wanted to let you know we had insurance issues too while I was pregnant I was told they can't cancel your insurance while your pregnant because it's considered a prexisting condition and other insurance companies usually won't pick you up if you they know your pregnant.There are laws to protect you they cann't fire you for maternity leave, you could possibly get a note from your doctor saying you need to stay home and rest, that could help out with the situation too. Try not to stress I knows that sounds impossible right now and I am sure it feels like what else could go wrong but things will turn out okay, they always work themselves out. I was in this situation last year and was so worried.we struggled but we made it through, I feel for you. Anyways congratulations and good luck to you everything will work it self out.

Apply for CHIP for your unborn baby right away if possible. It's a great program and is offered to PA residents. You can apply online, in writing or over the phone. www.chipcoverspakids.com They can also send you info about WIC and other programs you may be eligible for.

Hang in there, remember things always have a way of working themselves out!

Well Im sorry things arent going so great right now. Im sure they will get better. Just try and not stress, because that can bring the baby early. I know bc i had a preemie (34weeks) and it was all the worrying I did. Worrying about everything but bringing a healthy baby into the world. But I learned that lesson lol.
Just work with the money that you have. If you have to cut corners, give up cable or eating out, then find a way to make it work. There is always a way, you just have to find it. We all go through difficult times hun, it builds character in us. And yes, even patience. Have faith, and just take a good look at how blessed you are, that always seems to help me :)
I wanted to ask you, my son is 2 1/2 and everyone seems to think we should have another baby soon... He would be 3.4 yrs when the "new" baby would arrive.. Do you think with your lil girl being 4 she is at a good age for another one, or do you think they will be in 2 different places?
I would like another one soon, we have been trying for 2mos, but I dont want to feel pressured by outsiders telling me that my kids will have nothing in common because they are 3-4yrs apart. What do you think?
Best of luck to ya and congrats on your baby :)

I know how you feel and I think it is perfectly naturaly to freak about finances when you are expecting. I too had unpaid maternity leave, and like you rely on my income as well as my husbands to make ends meet. It was our first so any spare money went to getting the things we needed instead of into savings. I contacted all our creditors, including our mortage co. and the bank regarding our car loan-many people don't realize they offer hardship extensions with no penalties. My car payment let me skip 3 months and just will tack them onto the end. My mortgage company was great too. Its better to call and discuss it before hand so they know exactly where you stand. I found that they were actually very understanding. I hope this helps. It does get easier. We are pregnant again and have actually saved enough that I am taking 12 weeks unpaid leave. I hope this info helps and you creditors are as great as ours were. Good luck and congratulations.

yeah they are right , your insurance doesnt get cancelled until after 30days, and you can apply for Medical assistance they pay for all your medical expenses and it will help you for after you have the baby and you can apply for the baby once he is born if the kids dont have insurance either, well congratz and good luck let me know if u decide to apply for MA and if you need to talk or vent whatever i'm here....

The CHIP program covers pregnant women in addition to children, I believe. Check into it for the healthcare coverage. Their income guidelines are not as stringent as Medicaid.

Good luck.

Hi D.,
When I was pregnant with my daughter I had the same issue (no FMLA because I was there for less than a year). I stopped working 2 days before I gave birth and apparently my company cuts off your insurance the day you stop working. So, I would definitely check out what the policy is by calling your insurance company. I ended up buying COBRA. Why aren't you covered under your husband's insurance though? His insurance should cover all of that. Depending on how much your husband makes, you may not be eligible for Medical Assistance. In any case, if I were you I would check out the situation with your insurance and then if you're not covered, buy COBRA. It's cheaper than paying the hospital bills later and cheaper than buying a car (it was a little over 100 dollars a month for me).

D. - congratulatons on your pregnancy! You may be eligible for SSI, www.ssa.gov/ please go to that link and apply - it isn't social security disability but it is supplemental income that if you are disabled (pregnancy and childbirth are disabilities) you may be able to collect for 6 - 8 weeks afte the birth of your child.