Maternaty/ Disability leave in PA?

[Josie-M]

I live in North Eastern PA. I am expecting my 5th child at the end of March. Right now my husband and I are both working, but our income is limited. I will need to take some time off after I have the baby, and was wondering if there was a way I could do this and receive some type of temporary disability income or something of the sort?

[LConnell]

You may be eligible for time off through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA requires employers with at least 50 employees in a 75 mile radius to offer up to 12 weeks off for reason such as maternity to those employees who have worked for the employer for at least one year, working at least 1,250 hours in that year.

Even if you are covered by FMLA, the leave does not need to be paid. If your employer has sick pay or vacation pay, you may be able to use those. Also, some employers provide a short-term disability to their employees.

Without those options (of sick, vacation or short-term disability), there aren't any disability plans available. You may check with the state to see if there is any income assistance available through a public social program such as welfare.

Good luck.