What Is The 1
Before you can start receiving EI benefits, there is a 1-week waiting period for which you will not be paid. This waiting period is like the deductible you pay for other types of insurance.
You usually serve the waiting period at the beginning of your benefit period, unless you receive earnings during the first week. In that case, the waiting period will start during the first week you should begin to receive benefits.
When EI parental benefits are shared, a single waiting period may apply. For example, if the waiting period has already been served for EI maternity benefits, then neither parent has to serve a waiting period if one or the other submits an application for EI parental benefits.
At the end of parental leave, the parent who did not serve a waiting period might have to serve one, if that parent then applies for another type of EI benefit.
If you already received EI benefits during the last 52 weeks and you have reactivated your claim and already served the 1week waiting period, you will not have to serve an additional waiting period.
When Can I Apply For Pregnancy Disability
You may report a claim for disability benefits up to four weeks prior to a planned disability absence, such as childbirth. To ensure that your benefits request is processed as quickly as possible, we ask that you file your claim no later than the date you stop working due to your pregnancy or childbirth.
What Can Make You Ineligible For Benefits
Not all persons who find themselves without a job are eligible for unemployment benefits. There are a few key circumstances that will disqualify you from these benefits. These include:
Insufficient Earnings
The amount of money that you receive weekly for your unemployment benefits will vary depending on your earnings over a specific period of time. This period usually includes the previous year. In most states, you must’ve at least worked for a minimum of one year to file for unemployment benefits.
Self-Employed / Independent Workers
Recommended Reading: Can You Draw Unemployment If You Quit Your Job
Maternity Pay If You Are Resigning
Can I get SMP if I leave my job?
You can get SMP if you meet the following three qualifying conditions:
- you have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. This includes agency work, casual and zero hours work. The 15th week before the expected week of childbirth is approximately the 26th week of pregnancy which means that you need to have started the job before you got pregnant to get SMP.
- you are still employed in the same job in all or part of the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. You are counted as being in work that week even if you only work for one day or part of a day that week or you are off sick, on furlough or on holiday. You can still qualify for SMP if you resign or your job comes to an end at any time in or after the 15th week before your baby is due.
- you earn at least £120 per week on average before tax is deducted in the eight weeks or two months up to the last pay day before the end of the 15th week before your baby is due.
If you do not meet the qualifying conditions for SMP or you leave your job before the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth, see if you qualify for Maternity Allowance .
Once you have qualified for SMP you are entitled to receive all of it from your employer for 39 weeks even if you resign from your job, you are dismissed/made redundant, your contract ends or you decide not to go back to work after maternity leave.
If I Am Not Covered By State Disability Insurance Can I Collect Benefits If I Am Sick Or Caring For A Sick Family Member
You may have benefits available through other insurance programs that your employer have paid into in the past 5 to 18 months. California law allows your employer to offer you a Voluntary Plan option instead of the State Disability Insurance program. You should check with your employerâs personnel or benefits office about filing a Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave.
You also may have contributions from a prior job in the past 5 to 18 months, or itâs possible you may have been misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.
If you believe you are misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee, you should list the business you contract with as your last employer. Be sure to include:
- The employer name, phone number, and address.
- Type of work performed.
- Dates worked.
- Your gross wages and how you were paid .
You May Like: Are Unemployment Benefits Delayed On Holidays 2020
When Should I Apply
You should apply as soon as possible after you stop working, even if your employer has not yet issued your ROE. If you delay applying for benefits more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you risk losing benefits.
Applying for EI maternity benefits
You can apply for EI maternity benefits before you give birth. In fact, you can start receiving benefits as early as 12 weeks before your due date or before the actual week you give birth.
You cannot receive EI maternity benefits more than 17 weeks after the week you were expected to give birth or the week you actually gave birth, whichever is later. When the actual date of birth is different from the expected date of birth, you must let us know the child’s actual date of birth as soon as possible by calling 1-800-206-7218 or by visiting a Service Canada Centre.
The date you submit your application is very important, since it affects the number of weeks of maternity benefits you are entitled to receive. If you have difficulty determining which maternity benefit period works best for you, call us at 1-800-206-7218 .
Note
Applying for EI parental benefits
When applying, you will have to select under which option you choose to claim EI parental benefits: standard or extended.
Extended parental benefits
Note
Can both parents apply for EI parental benefits
Standard parental benefits:
In total, there are 35 weeks of standard parental benefits available to eligible parents of a newborn or newly adopted child.
Examples:
Examples:
Employer/insurance Carrier Requests Examination By A Health Care Provider
- Your employer/insurance carrier may designate a health care provider to examine you. You must submit to requested examinations under the following conditions:
- Exams may occur at intervals, but not more than once a week.
- You do not pay for the exams.
- Exams occur at a reasonable time and place.
Don’t Miss: Myflorida Flccid
You Must Be Able To Work
It’s a mandatory requirement that anyone filing for unemployment benefits must be able to work at a job that requires an equal skill level to their previous one. As long as you’re still capable of performing your job skills, you’re eligible for unemployment benefits even when you’re pregnant.
However, if you’re unable to perform the skills needed for a job similar to your last one, you’re not eligible for unemployment benefits. An example of this may be an expecting mother who is put on bed rest. In this case, you would need to file for disability insurance instead of unemployment. Once you’re cleared to return to normal workplace duties, you can become eligible for unemployment benefits.
Legal Protections For Pregnant Workers
It is illegal under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 to fire an employee because she is pregnant. If youre job searching, its also illegal for an employer to refuse to offer you a job based on pregnancy status, unless employing you would place other workers at risk.
Further, if your employer offers accommodations for workers with certain disabilities, they must provide the same for pregnant workers with the same disabilities. For example, they couldnt provide ergonomic accommodation for a male worker with carpal tunnel syndrome, but refuse to do the same for a female worker with the same condition due to pregnancy.
Recommended Reading: Www Bankofamerica Kdoldebitcard
What Obligations Do Employers Have With Regard To The Payment Of Maternity Benefits
Employers are required to provide disability coverage for pregnancy on the same basis as they provide it for any other condition. This means that both disability income protection and medical expense insurance must cover maternity-related disabilities and maternity-related health care expenses on the same basis as for all other conditions.
Any health insurance plan offered in connection with employment must cover maternity on the same basis as other conditions, whether or not the employer makes contributions to the plan. An employer that does not have any disability coverage for employees is not obligated to provide such coverage for maternity, but must still treat the pregnant employee in the same manner as other employees who are temporarily disabled.
If any employer employs 50 or more people on a permanent basis and the employee has been employed for the prior 52 weeks and worked at least 1000 hours during that period, the employee is entitled to unpaid leave under the law in connection with birth during any leave taken under the law. An employee may decide to use accrued paid leave instead of unpaid leave. The employer must maintain the same group health insurance coverage for the employee as existed prior to the leave, with the same conditions that applied prior to the leave.
What Is An Employer’s Obligation To An Employee Who Is Temporarily Unable To Perform Her Job Because Of Pregnancy
An employer is required to treat an employee unable to perform her job because of her pregnancy in the same manner as it treats other temporarily disabled employees, whether by providing modified tasks, alternative assignments, disability leave or leave without pay.
The employer should provide the same benefits to employees disabled by pregnancy as it provides to other temporarily disabled persons.
Additionally, employers with 50 or more permanent employees must allow covered employees up to six weeks of family leave per year, without pay, for the birth of the employee’s child if the leave begins within 16 weeks of the child’s birth.
Don’t Miss: What Day Does Unemployment Get Deposited In Nc
What Kind Of Medical Documentation Is Required To Support A Claim For Paid Family Leave Benefits
If your family member has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has symptoms related to COVID-19, you can either submit a medical certification for that person from a treating physician/practitioner that includes a diagnosis and ICD-10 code, or if no diagnosis has been obtained, a statement of symptoms the start date of the condition its probable duration and the treating physicians or practitioners license number or facility information. This requirement can also be met by a written order from a state or local health officer that is specific to your family members situation.
If your family members physician or practitioner is certifying to their need for care, telehealth and virtual appointments are acceptable for a physical examination, but medical certifications are still required.
If your family member suspects they have COVID-19, they do not have symptoms, but you cant work because they are quarantined and require your care, this requirement can be met by a written order from a state or local health officer that is specific to your family members situation.
If you are unable to provide documents from a physician or health officer, you may be eligible for an Unemployment Insurance claim instead.
Learn more about benefits available if youre not eligible for Paid Family Leave.
For fastest processing of your claim, submit your claim online and have the supporting medical certification submitted online immediately after.
Employment Development Department
Pregnant Women Are Eligible For Unemployment Benefits
However, if you lose your job through no fault of your own, are you still eligible for unemployment benefits? Any pregnancy discrimination lawyer in Los Angeles will tell you that you are. It doesn’t matter if your company closes or you get laid off. You are eligible to receive a portion of your salary from the government.
For you to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the government. These requirements must be met by all individuals applying for unemployment, regardless of whether they are pregnant or not.
- Worked For A Company That Paid Unemployment Benefits
- You’re Able To Work At A Job That Matches Your Skill Level
- You Were Fired Or Laid Off Through No Fault Of Your Own
- You Earned Enough Money To Qualify For Benefits
The main caveat to unemployment benefits is that you must be able to work. This is where a lot of people get confused about their unemployment benefits when it comes to pregnancy and maternity leave. It’s best to consult a pregnancy discrimination lawyer for the workplace to get a clear idea of whether or not you qualify for unemployment benefits.
Don’t Miss: Can I Get Unemployment If I Quit
If You Become Disabled While You Are Unemployed
- If you have been unemployed for less than four weeks
- your disability benefits are provided by your last employer’s disability benefits insurance carrier, and
- the seven-day waiting period applies.
Before You Apply For Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to file a new claim for unemployment insurance is through our improved online filing system. This is only for new claims.
If you already have a claim, please go to labor.ny.gov/signin to make weekly certifications or to view your claim information.
Waiting weeks for unemployment benefits have been waived during the COVID-19 crisis. If youve seen the term waiting week on your payment history, it is a relic of our existing system and does NOT impact your benefits.
You May Like: Apply For Unemployment Chicago
What Are Healthy Start Food Vouchers
Weekly vouchers for free:
- milk plain cows milk, whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed pasteurised, sterilised, long-life or ultra-heat treated
- plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables
- infant formula
- vitamins pregnant women, women with a child under 12 months and children aged up to four years who are receiving Healthy Start vouchers are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins one bottle every eight weeks.
What Are Ei Parental Benefits
EI parental benefits are offered to parents who are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child or children.
There are 2 options available for receiving parental benefits: standard or extended.
- Standard parental benefits can be paid for a maximum of 35 weeks and must be claimed within a 52-week period after the week the child was born or placed for the purpose of adoption. The benefits are available to biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents at a weekly benefit rate of 55% of the claimants average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum amount. The 2 parents can share these 35 weeks of standard parental benefits.
- Extended parental benefits can be paid for a maximum of 61 weeks and must be claimed within a 78-week period after the week the child was born or placed for the purpose of adoption. The benefits are available to biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents at a weekly benefit rate of 33% of the claimants average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum amount. The 2 parents can share these 61 weeks of extended parental benefits.
Note: The number of weeks of EI maternity or parental benefits you are entitled to receive does not change, even if you have a multiple birth or if you adopt more than 1 child at the same time.
Read Also: How To Make Money Unemployed
Q: Can You Get Unemployment Compensation
A: You are eligible to receive unemployment compensation if you:
What Benefits Are Available If I Am Unable To Work Because I Am Caring For A Sick Family Member
If youre unable to work because you are caring for a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 or related symptoms, you can file a Paid Family Leave claim. You will need to submit a certification by their treating physician/practitioner or a state or local health officer. If you are not eligible for PFL, you can apply for unemployment.
PFL provides up to eight weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. For the purposes of PFL coverage, a family member is defined as seriously ill child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner.
You May Like: Pa Unemployment Ticket Number Status
Rights To Paid Or Unpaid Time Off
- For more information, see here.
In some states, you may also have the right to receive temporary disability insurance to recover from childbirth note, however, that temporary disability insurance programs do not always guarantee your job will be protected.
You should also review your company or union policy and/or speak with your employer to see if your companys maternity leave or temporary disability policy will allow you to take maternity leave even if you needed to take leave while pregnant.
You should also note that if you are eligible for FMLA, you can also use FMLA leave to attend prenatal appointments or an incapacity due to your pregnancy.
