edchels

Per the Ca SDI site

For California workers covered by SDI, Paid Family Leave (PFL) insurance provides up to six weeks of benefits for individuals who must take time off to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or registered domestic partner, or to bond with a new child.

So he has paid the insurance and gets the right to collect.

Correcto! This FAQ was all I needed to see. Question 11.

http://www.paidfamilyleave.org/faqs/#11

How is he trying to "milk the system"? He's paid into it and claiming a benefit to which he is entitled for the exact purpose they have it. http://www.paidfamilyleave.org/

Thank You... The voice of reason! I pay taxes to help others, I also pay taxes so that when I need time off work, for disability or any reason (especially to bond with my new daughter), it's there for me, as it is for anyone in a similar situation.

ya, but it's just an uneducated opinion (mine), for now.

Only you can suss out what's what.

I hope you do that, soonish.

I managed to get an answer from edd.ca.gov

As long as I have been paying into CA-SDI and have a SS#, I'm good to go! They really don't care about affidavits of support.

So, to all those doubters saying "You'll get nothing"... here's some good news for ya.

and thanks to all those with helpful advice, much appreciated.

Check the FAQ on the Paid Family Leave website. Question 11 in particular says:

All you need to determine is if you are otherwise eligible -- your status is not at issue. Call the EDD and ask them if you qualify: 1-877-238-4373. They will know more than any of us doofuses on VJ.

Wow, how did I miss that?. Thank You!!!

Or a county or state website.

Just saying.

Yeah, I have scoured the Internet, that's why I ended up here. There's a lot of info about benefits for new fathers, but nothing about new fathers who are green card holders.(unless I have seriously missed something).

ya, but it's just an uneducated opinion (mine), for now.

Only you can suss out what's what.

I hope you do that, soonish.

Working on it... And not that this has to do with anything, but I'm working 7 days a week 8-12 hours a day. Don't have much time for anything else right now.

I'm thinking an immigration lawyer would be the only person who would truly know the rules about what's available to me and what's not.

That is a program run by the State of California which you may qualify for irrespective of your immigration status. FMLA is a federal law which provide for unpaid leave, but affects the entire nation. You may very well be able to take advantage of both programs.

Good to know. I would just hate to receive any kind of benefit, only to have the state tell me to pay them all back because I'm still sponsored under the affidavit.

I really think , that if the monies paid to you by the state of California for 'this stuff' are already received from you via taxation on your payroll, then it's not a means tested benefit.

That's a plus, as you'll be qualifying based on what you've paid in already, not your citizenship status.

Go Get Em !

Very good point. Thank You.

Seriously - touch base with yer CPA again, get the scoop from her.

Federal and State programs are different, and yer CPA can explain all to you.

Yeah, I'm going to collect my tax returns from her at some point, so will see if she can help me out more.

So which one is it, part time or full time?

It's already been explained to you that as a 5 year LPR if by chance you are eligible for any benefits, your wife would have to pay them back because of the affidavt of support she signed.

Stop looking for handouts and go provide for your family, that's what Fathers do.

Sadly I'm considered Part time, but I work well over 40 hrs a week. That's a whole other problem I have to deal with at work.

So, what are benefits for? Why have them? Why am I paying tax into CASDI every week? For disabled people? Of course, but I'm not looking for handouts, I simply heard about a benefit for new fathers and I am looking into getting some answers. That's it. If nothing's available for me, fine, but if I'm eligible for something, obviously I'm gonna look into it.

Full time employment would be a way to do that, no?

Yes, I have full time employment, and I pay taxes to the state. (CASDI)

What is this website all about then?

http://www.paidfamilyleave.org/learn/basics.html

FMLA is for employees to take unpaid leave from work, you are looking for a handout from the state, completely different.

If that's the case, then I'm hearing a lot of different things from everyone.

Providing is a great way of bonding.

Diapers and baby formula are expensive.

That is exactly why I'm curious about benefits for green card holders.

If I was the Dad to be, I'd be looking for more work, not less.

That's great. I'd actually like to get to know my daughter and bond with her. That's why FMLA exists, so fathers can do that. That's why i started this post, to see if green card holders are able to do this.

Wow, you need a new CPA. Or don't take advice from her on these matters....

This is why I'm on here, because I have yet to take her advice.

what forms did you get, from yer CPA ? It'd be great if you wrote more about that, here, as there's probably other folk that could use the information.

I didn't receive any forms from my CPA, she just told me that I "should" be able to receive benefits, hence why I'm on here trying to find out more info about it.

Thanks to all responses. Very Helpful!

As far as I know, no. Nothing.

Also, as you're still an LPR, even though you would not qualify for benefits, your I-864 is still in play and your sponsors could be pursued to pay back the benefits you receive.

This is what I was wondering. I didn't know if it counted as a "means tested benefit" or not. Which is what my sponsor is responsible for. Thank You.

DO NOT CALL USCIS, this is not a immigration question.

There is no funds from the state for a parents post parental leave. You and your wife should have plan and saved extra funds for this period of time.

You do not have to take your six weeks period of time a the same time your wife will be on post maternity leave. You can take it after the wife has gone back to work if so desire.

We have saved, and we should be fine. I was just trying to clear up what we are allowed, and what we aren't. Thanks.

**** Moving from Effects of Major Changes to Life in America ***

You are not disabled though. Your wife is the one recovering from childbirth, not you. You won;t get anything from the state. Your wife and child may be able to get WIC or a similar state funded program to help with diapers and healthy food, but not you. Even in Europe, paternity leave is still quite rare.

That's why I'm so confused, I'm not disabled, but my CPA told me I'm allowed 6 weeks "bonding time" for a newborn, and should be able to receive some sort of funds from the state. In any case, I appreciate your reply... I guess I'll try calling USCIS.

Sorry if it was confusing... Let me try again.

I am new father-to-be. I'm part-time employed so I'm not going to get anything from my work, but i have been allowed 6 weeks leave. I have no PTO, or any benefits as far as work goes...that's why I'm eager to find out what I might be able to get from the State of California as far as family leave time and/or disability payments?

I have been in the US as a Green Card holder for a little over 5 years now (living in California). My daughter is expected to be born in mid-April. What kind of benefits am I able to receive as far as taking time off work to be able to spend time with my baby. I have read many different opinions. Some people are saying it has to be 10 years, or 40 quarters of work because of what my wife (USC) signed on the affidavit. Others have said if I have lived here legally on a Green Card for 5 years, I'm eligible for all benefits. I think I'm allowed 6 weeks off work and still be able to keep my job, so hopefully for 6 weeks I'll be able to get something from the State. If anyone knows anything about this, I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank You!

I think part of coming to the US is obeying its laws. Your feelings about them really don't come into play.

Isnt anyone reading my responses.... i understand what i need to do... all i was wondering is if i absolutly have to register. i know i have to now... read the responses before you start telling me i shouldn't be here because my feelings dont come into play!

If you are unwilling to ever possibly defend this country, and that is a slim chance with no draft going on) then perhaps it's more fitting that you stay in the U.K.

Just because i dont believe in war, doesn't mean i need to live in a different country away from my wife. Sorry i dont agree with war, but i dont think i need to leave the country because of that opinion.

Come on, if you had the choice of registering or not register with the SSS and you didn't agree with war, you wouldn't register... and that was what i was wondering...and it seems like i have to anyway, so my question has been answered.

If you are unwilling to ever possibly defend this country, and that is a slim chance with no draft going on) then perhaps it's more fitting that you stay in the U.K.

I agree with rjp.

Guys! Take it easy on the OP, He has seen the light!

Funny you should say that, cos actually, i have known my entire life i would one day be living in LA. It has always been a dream of mine, and now it's true. So, on some level, i always knew i would move across the pond.

I Appreciate your input too, i guess there isn't any harm in registering.

Thanks!

SERIOUSLY!!!!!! Thanks YuAndDan!

Its "Legal", not lawful, but i understand what you mean...

Actually "LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT". But we are splitting hairs here.

How Do I Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While In The United States?

So it is... the entire time while waiting for my visa i have seen written down, and people talking about "Legal Permanent Residents"... maybe the UK is different.