EI and/or Disability Insurance & Pregnancy

[dukeandduchess 141]

My husband and I are hoping to have kids soon and I wanted to see what my options are in terms of, well, not working for a bit.

I am living in California and from what I gather we get 6 weeks of "Disability Leave" during pregnancy. Am I allowed to claim this or is it considered financial assistance? I have been working since October 2012 for the same company, pay my taxes, and have my 2 year conditional green card.

I was also curious if I could qualify for any EI from Canada. I Moved in February 2012 so I know (??) I don't qualify for maternity leave but I work in a fairly... intense... industry. I am an archaeologist which means I stand out in the heat up to 110 degrees and work around heavy equipment (scrapers, bulldozers, backhoes, etc.), lots of walking, digging, bending... I don't even know if I would be allowed on a jobsite once I get further along in the pregnancy as I it would probably be a safety risk to both myself and the baby. Is there any way the nature of my work would qualify me for EI especially if I were to get some sort of letter from my employer?

Anywho - just trying to find out what my options are. I of course am rooting for never working again and baking cookies forever but hey...

Appreciate any advice/input.

Thanks for reading!

[stevie b 141]

My husband and I are hoping to have kids soon and I wanted to see what my options are in terms of, well, not working for a bit.

I am living in California and from what I gather we get 6 weeks of "Disability Leave" during pregnancy. Am I allowed to claim this or is it considered financial assistance? I have been working since October 2012 for the same company, pay my taxes, and have my 2 year conditional green card.

I was also curious if I could qualify for any EI from Canada. I Moved in February 2012 so I know (??) I don't qualify for maternity leave but I work in a fairly... intense... industry. I am an archaeologist which means I stand out in the heat up to 110 degrees and work around heavy equipment (scrapers, bulldozers, backhoes, etc.), lots of walking, digging, bending... I don't even know if I would be allowed on a jobsite once I get further along in the pregnancy as I it would probably be a safety risk to both myself and the baby. Is there any way the nature of my work would qualify me for EI especially if I were to get some sort of letter from my employer?

Anywho - just trying to find out what my options are. I of course am rooting for never working again and baking cookies forever but hey...

Appreciate any advice/input.

Thanks for reading!

disability and fmla which you will qualify for is not a means tested benefit.

I had the link but can not find it.. it somewhere connected to the poverty level/864 set of pages with a complete list of what is defined as a means tested benifit

[Rob & Monika 87]

Check with your employer. Disability is handled differently in every state, and often is privatized. If your employer purchases DI from a private company, then it's not government assistance.

[NikLR 13,220]

You should be able to receive some sort of medicaid for your pregnancy because in California it is considered a state means tested benefit that is allowed to pregnant women. You may qualify for maternity leave for EI, it doesn't hurt to give service Canada a call and check!

Here are the links I posted in another thread about pregnancy and state means-tested benefits.

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/immigration/restrictions-sum.shtml

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/11/ImmigrantAccess/Eligibility/ib.shtml

Looks like California allows it. There is a provision where they can give it to the unborn child who will be a US citizen.

http://ccf.georgetown.edu/programs/ca-mcp/

[dukeandduchess 141]

I called service canada and they mentioned an "Inter-state Employment Benefit program". I have to do more research but it sounds like I can qualify if the "EI" I pay into here in California is recognized by Canada. At least that is my understanding. I'll be sure to pass on anything I discover!