What should I do? Really need advice!

[eva530]

Hi All,
So my job does not offer maternity leave or short term disability (just fmla), I am the main provider for my household, what am I suppose to do? Pop out a baby and go back to work the next day? I still have a whiles away until the baby is due, but its laying heavy on my brain right now and I'm getting very stressed out and upset as to what to do... oh and saving up before the baby comes is out of the question, i really dont get paid all that much... :(

[sbindert]

I thought maternity leave was mandatory, it's horrible to expect a woman not to take any days off during and after the birth of a child. Where do you work?

[eva530]

I work for the USPS....I also forgot to mention I live in PA

[Mommy2Kayden]

The law is they have to hold your position for 12 weeks, but it doesn't have to be paid. I had mine unpaid and it definitely made things harder but I was not the sole provider. I would look into aflac. I know they offer maternity leave plans.

[eva530]

Yeah I can get FMLA, and it is unpaid, but like I said I'm mainly the sole provider, so going unpaid is not an option :(

[eva530]

Aflac is a no go, just called them, my employer has to be apart of them when it comes to maternity, and the person said I wouldnt get anything for 10 months :/

[Ohbebebaby]

USPS is a Federal job. I work for the government as well. I'm sure you get Annual Leave at least 6 hours per pay period, also 4 hours for sick time. If you have used up all your leave, at least FMLA ensures you have a job to return to. Try not to complain because I've read some of the saddest stories of young women without a job to look forward to.  You can always apply for WIC, If I qualify you will also ♡

[francescas4234]

If you're not too far along pick up a part time job that offers maternity leave.  Save up the extra paychecks till you go out and add that to the part time maternity pay.  I know working more when you're preggo is not fun but if there's no other option then that's all I can really think of beside switching your main job for one that offers maternity pay.,

[nik2153]

I also live in PA, my job do not offer a paid "maternity leave" just a fmla as well. What I plan on doing is once I exhaust all my paid time I am going to temporarily apply for assistance from the state (snap benefits and medical for my other children). I'm also going to see if I qualify for any programs with the utility companies since I will not have income for a few weeks.

Good luck! Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

[eva530]

Alittle about my job...im a non career employee, i do not get sick time but I do get 4 hours a pay annual leave, but I have a 1 year contract that ends in April with that being said whatever annual leave that I dont use between now and April I get paid out for. I am NOT guaranteed to be rehired after my contract is done, but if I do I will maybe have 16 hours AL by the time the baby comes. And WIC isn't going to pay my rent or bills, as for finding another job thats all fine and good, if there was jobs, and saving money is pretty much out of the question if I'm barely making ends meet now :/

[Jaja65]

When are you due? Maybe you can set aside your tax return money for your maternity leave. Or consider babysitting a few kids while you are on maternity leave to help out your income.

[Ohbebebaby]

I'm curious, how much time are you planning on taking off. If you're the sole provider than you should consider returning to work as quickly as possible... The government offers advanced sick leave which will give you 240 hours of extra leave that comes out of your accrued sick leave until you can pay it back. 12 weeks is a very long time to sit at home when you're a hard working mother. Take the time you need and return after 2 pay periods ♥