| How long can you pay your bills on $170 per week - | | | | paid in addition to the NY State Disability benefit. The |
| before taxes? The New York area has the nation's | | | | benefit can be paid free of any tax consequences, |
| highest cost of living, and some of the highest | | | | bringing take-home-income replacement very close to |
| incomes to help pay those bills. While the New York | | | | 100%. |
| State Short Term Disability Insurance is good to have | | | | Supplemental Short Term Disability can create |
| should you miss work, it does not replace a | | | | maternity leave income, while also protecting your |
| significant percentage of most New Yorker's income. | | | | family in case of pregnancy complications, delivery |
| New York Disability Benefits May Fall Short | | | | complications, premature birth, accidents, and illnesses. |
| Who feels this the most? New York women | | | | It covers your maternity leave for normal delivery, |
| preparing for maternity leave. They are expecting to | | | | plus pays benefits for the unexpected medical |
| be out of work for six to eight weeks for normal | | | | events that cause you to miss work. |
| delivery, and may be shocked to discover how little | | | | Other Possible Gaps In Coverage |
| income replacement they will get. | | | | Short Term Disability in New York has other |
| For example, a woman earning $52,000 per year | | | | limitations and gaps that women with a growing |
| earns about $1,000 per week. Her New York State | | | | family should know. |
| Short Term Disability payout equates to only 17% of | | | | - The benefits end after 26 weeks - What if you are |
| her normal income. That's equivalent to an 87% pay | | | | disabled for a year? Can you continue to pay your |
| cut! | | | | bills? |
| Many women can't afford an 87% pay cut for eight | | | | - The benefits are taxable - Depending upon your |
| weeks, much less if she is disabled longer. What will | | | | state, federal, and FICA tax rates, your take home |
| happen if she is also out of work prior to delivery | | | | pay could be considerably less. |
| because of pregnancy complications? Or if she | | | | - Government workers are exempt - If you work |
| experiences complications during delivery and needs | | | | for a state, county, city, township, or boro entity |
| additional time to heal before returning to work? Or if | | | | you may not have coverage. |
| she has an accident or illness that prevents her from | | | | - Teachers are Government workers - You may not |
| working? | | | | have coverage if your union did not request this |
| Increase your Level of Disability Coverage | | | | benefit. |
| Women can increase their maternity leave pay by | | | | Get the right amount of coverage for your |
| applying for supplemental short term disability before | | | | pregnancy and maternity leave by applying for short |
| conception. An individual short term disability insurance | | | | term disability insurance before getting pregnant. |
| policy can replace up to 2/3 of income, and will be | | | | |