State Assistance Programs

The federal government funds many state-based benefit programs, and stay-at-home mothers seeking financial help will find few opportunities with perfectly matching labels.

Instead, homemakers can look for grants and benefits that match other defining elements, such as lower incomes associated with single wage-earner families.

State temporary disability insurance is often assumed as a given health benefit program. Only five have a mandated program, and many people expect the government to replace their income when they are injured or sick.

Unfortunately, things do not work that way. Most people need to purchase a private policy.

Lack of maternity leave pay benefits is a painful reality for most parents in the United States. Compound this with extra medical bills associated with large deductibles triggered by a hospital stay.

Many parents turn to online lenders for an infusion of cash so that they can spend quality time at home bonding with their baby. Explore the pros and cons of various options.

Several federal and state laws and programs offer financial support to patients diagnosed with cancer while uninsured. Nobody has to worry about getting the treatment needed to fight this dread disease.

However, some people can face a maximum period of 12 months were they have to self-pay for costly medical services. Fortunately, several pathways exist to short-circuit the delay.

The number one motivator of phone calls to our office comes from women concerned about paying their bills while out on pregnancy and maternity leave. Most women take unpaid leave and fail to realize that they must buy short-term disability before conception.

Six states allow women to collect unemployment compensation after recovering from her disability, while many more permit benefits after caring for a sick family member.

Collecting unemployment benefits after you quit work due to medical reasons works as a source of financial help in only a handful of states. Plus, you have to wait until you recover and are able to return to the workforce.

Temporary disability provides wage support while you remain unable to perform your job duties – if available and you have the coverage. Otherwise, you must return to health to file for unemployment.

New parents of multiple babies born early face unreimbursed medical expenses such as insurance deductibles and out of network charges. You could also incur unexpected non-medical fees such as travel, parking, and lodging.

Now add in lost income for both mom and dad, who often must stop working or lose their jobs. Finding every conceivable form of financial help is now critical.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides partial income replacement for workers who have a severe illness or injury expected last a year or longer or result in death.

The approval process is lengthy. You may need to make a reconsideration request or file for a hearing to appeal a declination decision. Several forms of state-based programs can help families with children survive in the interim.

The United States is much different from many other countries. Many employment and labor issues are left to states and employers to decide. The federal government does not overreach.

You can see this play out with maternity leave laws in the U.S. There are a few federal laws that apply across all fifty states, but each regulation has qualifying criteria, leaving many holes.

State-based resources display the most comprehensive array of outcomes during pregnancy. Pregnant women often need to stop working because of complications. Of course, she also needs time to recover from childbirth, and income benefits are spotty at best.

Things even out a bit when you consider programs to help with the extra medical expenses. While pregnant, women have an additional need for prenatal care and delivery in the hospital.