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It seems like pregnancy is the go-to SSDI application that should result in automatic approval. But what happens when you receive a denial, or you can’t get your application to move forward. It can seem really disheartening when you’re pregnant and can’t access your disability benefits. Pregnancy, however, doesn’t always lead to being able to be to access SSDI benefits or obtain the proper support needed to get through this life transition.
So what can you do? You do have the options when it comes to handling a deluged or stalled claim. We understand how critical it is to have everything in place before you have a new life to care about. Contact a Cincinnati SSDI attorney right away.
Coverage Through Disability for Pregnancy
Doping coverage for SSDI you need to have worked with your recent employer for an extended period of time. Well, you work for an employer you accrue Social Security credits, and those are then used to help determine if you have access to SSDI benefits. After you’ve determined that the employment qualifications will move into disability qualifications.
The most troublesome disability qualification is that the disability must have lasted or is expected to continue or at least one year. For so many, that seems outright unreasonable, because of course, you’re not going to be pregnant for more than a year. However, if you have had a challenging pregnancy and then will need the additional 2-3 months of post-labor recovery, that is a very long stretch of time.
Ohio, unlike some other states, does not have short term disability benefits. In fact, despite the general perception, Ohio doesn’t have any laws that guarantee job protection or any type of benefits for new parents. While Ohio must still comply with FMLA requirements, Ohio workers may only have access to any type of income support benefits after the child is born or adopted and not before.
FMLA
Most people are led to believe that the FMLA comma or family and medical leave act, provides access to SSDI short-term benefits. But, as mentioned above, there are no short term disability benefits in Ohio. The FMLA simply ensures that a person can return to work after completing family responsibilities on an unpaid leave.
The leave for the birth or care of a newborn child is usually only permitted to continue for up to 12 weeks. Those 12 weeks are unpaid. For many new parents, this is devastating information because you not only have the additional cost of a new child but the loss of an income stream. Additionally, while it may be reasonable to return to work after only six weeks, it is unreasonable to expect that a person can complete all of their new family duties within a six week period and return to work in full capacity. Unfortunately, the FMLA does not provide the type of coverage that most employees believe it does.
Denials For Disability Relating To Pregnancy
Typically when people receive a disability denial for a claim related to pregnancy, it is because the disability will not keep them out of work for a year. Most pregnancy-related disabilities will only last 12 weeks. However, there are always situations that can lead to someone getting approval for disability related to pregnancy.
People who receive a notice from their medical team or doctor that they are unable to work may be applicable for SSDI. Typically this involves people who have particularly challenging or high-risk pregnancies. It is possible that someone as early as six weeks into their pregnancy could need to leave work. Of course, the situation surrounding SSDI and pregnancy will always relate to very specific challenges for that person. You may need to speak with an SSDI attorney about your medical team’s decision to take you out of work.
Contacting an Ohio SSDI Attorney
An Ohio SSDI attorney at Young, Reverman, and Mazzei should be able to help you assess what exactly what is holding up your claim or resulted in the denial. Then we’ll help you break down how to introduce corrections or clarifications for your application through the appeals process. Then when it comes time to move forward to an ALJ judge, then we’ll still be there for you. Our team will walk you through each step and do our best to make it as peaceful and quick as possible.
Get help handling your disability application and continued disability application with Young, Reverman, and Mazzei. Call our Cincinnati office to set up a consultation appointment and to start discussing your disability options. We’ll guide you through the steps of applying, fighting, and appealing for SSDI.
