can i get unemployment while on maternity leave?

Question

my job does not pay while on maternity leave and i was wondering if i can get finiancial help from unemployment

Answer 1

You cannot collect unemployment if you are on maternity leave. If you're on maternity LEAVE, it means you have a job, you're just not working temporarily. In other words: you are employed. Unemployment is for people who are not employed at all (ie they have nothing to be on "leave" from).

While others have mentioned disability, the rules vary from state to state, so you will have to check on the laws in your state.

Depending on where you live, you may be protected only by the Family Medical Leave Act, which will protect your job so that you have a job to return to, but which will not ensure that you receive any money while you're out on leave. Many employers require that you use any accrued vacation leave first -- in which case, you would get paid for those days, but of course you would have zero vacation days "in the bank" when you return to work.

The bottom line is, you have to check with the laws in your state about what your options are.

Answer 2

I LIVE IN THE UK SO NOT SURE IF THIS WILL HELP?Yes you are entitled to Maternity Allowance if your employer will not pay. If your baby is due after April 1st then you are entitled to 39 weeks maternity allowance which is 108.65 per week ( before this date you can only get 26 weeks ) but they will only pay this while you are off work and only if they agree that you are not entitled to Statuatory Maternity pay from your employer. It is not disability allowance??? this is totally seperate and you are not classed as disabled whilst you are pregnant!!!!!!!!!! Contact your local jobcentre to apply or give the Lone Parent Helpline for advice first if you like...they will also talk you through any other benefits you may be entitled to such as housing benefit , council tax benefit , etc.

Answer 3

Not unemployment, you get it from disability. You will need your doctor and employer to sign the paper work, they both will do that. Maternity leave is considered you being disabled. You cannot work just before and justafter giving birth. It will cover 6 weeks of benefits. After that, if you are still unemployed, you can file for unemployment, but not because you are on leave, you have to be unemployed.

Disability means you cannot work, unemployment means you cannot find a job.

Answer 4

Actually... you can. If your company lays you off. My friend got laid off when she had about 2 months to go left in her pregnancy and they paid her unemployment. She didn't have to be "available to work" under some sort of medical exclusion. But, that was a true lay off- they were out of work and others got laid off, too. They also never offered her a "call back", it wasn't used incorrectly, it just happened to coincide with her pregnancy.

However, you can't just go on unemployment for maternity leave. Short term disability covered me for my maternity leave because it's a medical leave.

I don't think you can get "Disability" as in SSI (Social Security Insurance from the government).

Note: Unemployment ISN'T welfare or even government assistance!! It is government offered INSURANCE (it's actually called unemployment insurance. You have to pay into it and there are other stipulations to qualify. DUH. (this is to the person below)

Answer 5

If you mean unemployment allowance then you sure can. I am on it myself for the same situation and you definitely can. Visit your unemployment agency financial help from, and tell them about your situation and to know more. They will still make you look for a job, because according to them, pregnancy is not seen as an excuse for not looking for a job. It might seem a bit silly, but its the red tape. Although it might be different in some countries.

Answer 6

You should be able to get disability for 6 weeks after that you are on your own. Possibly you can apply for an extension if you are still disabled, Unemployment is for people whom have lost there job through no fault of their own, for unemployment benefits you must be ready able and willing to work at any time. Unless the laws have changed very recently, unfortunately this is how it works.
Good Luck

Answer 7

My job doesn't either. I have to use my sick leave (we have a leave bank), and the FMLA to protect my job. Its seriously disgusting how little some employers do for women when they go on maternity leave. You may be able to go on disability, but I don't think that it will pay 100% of your salary...you'll get a smaller % of what you usually earn.

Answer 8

Everyone keeps mentioning disability. You must have disability insurance (short term and possibly long term) to be entitiled to money. You get somewhere aroung 60% of your paycheck. Its for 6 weeks. If you have longterm disability and have a medically necessary reason for being out longer (i.e. bedrest, c-section, sick baby) then you can get that as well. But you have to be out for 12 weeks or longer. Anyway, best of luck to you.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, probably not. Unemployment, by definition, is for those who are unemployed. If you're on maternity leave, you're still employed by your company, you're just not getting paid.

Answer 10

Sorry, no you can't.To get unemployment you have to be able to work,and since you are on leave you're not able. I tried before,so that's how I know.Good Luck & CONGRATS on your bundle of JOY!!!