Unexpected but in the hospital for premature labor. don’t know what to do because i have bills

Q) I have a question hoping someone could answer for me. I was currently working but do to and unexpected put in the hospital for premature labor. The last day I worked was the night before I got put in the hospital which was August 16,2017. I have currently turned my fmla form into my work place but was told I wasn’t going to get paid. Except for what vacation and sick hours I had which is only 40 hours. I just don’t know what to do because i have bills and kids to take care of and not able to work due to still being in the hospital. Just need help on what I should do. Thanks

A) I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this difficult time. It sounds like you are in a lot of financial trouble and you are not sure what to do.

I want to assure you that there are people who can help you. Here are some resources that may be helpful:

• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain family and medical reasons, including to care for a newborn child. To be eligible for FMLA leave, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to low-income adults and children with disabilities. To be eligible for SSI, you must meet certain income and asset requirements.
• Your state may also have programs that can help you. To find out more about the programs that are available in your state, you can visit the website of your state’s Department of Social Services.

I encourage you to reach out to these resources for help. They can provide you with financial assistance and other resources that can help you get through this difficult time.

I also want to encourage you to reach out to your family and friends for support. They may be able to help you with childcare, financial assistance, or just emotional support.

I know that this is a tough time, but you will get through it. Just remember that you are not alone and there are people who care about you and want to help.

You may qualify for Short Term disability. If you live in a state that provides short term disability insurance, you’re probably already paying into the system as one of the automatic deductions from your paycheck. Your company’s Human Resources department can be helpful in explaining the company’s policies for short term disability insurance and unpaid leave. The US Department of Labor also has several resources that parents-to-be can utilize to better understand the Family Medical Leave Act and to see if disability or unemployment plans are available in their state. https://mamasonbedrest.com/2012/06/mamas-on-bedrest-what-you-need-to-know-about-short-term-disability-insurance/