OT? What to do for income while recovering?

I'm a CNA and read that I may need to be outta work for 3 months to recover since I shouldn't do any heavy lifting.

First off is that true that someone with a job that requires heavy lifting needs to be out for 3 months to recover?

Secondly I am a MA resident but all the agencies I work for are in RI, I know RI offers TDI but haven't seen any of that coming out of my check(s). So what I'm trying to get to is ; does MA have a similar program or will I just be screwed and end up homeless after this surgery?

If there is a simple solution and I'm just not seeing it let me know, cause the surgery I'm super excited about its just the not having an income afterwoods thats worrying me.

Thanks

I work for an agency in RI also and live in Fall River.....when I had surgery, TDI covered me for the entire time that I was out of work (however much time the doctor says you need to be out)....I was out for 4 weeks....You should call the RI TDI department and see if you've worked enough (depends on how long and how much you've worked in RI) to get the credits for TDI....It has nothing to do with what state you live in, you should be covered because you are a RI worker...I think that it's mandatory that employers take it out of your paycheck also (up to a certain percentage of money that you make)....so you shouldn't have a problem if you've been working in RI for the last 6 months or year....There is alot of information online regarding RI TDI...you can even apply online for benefits when it's time for the surgery....
Good Luck

I've been working in RI for about a year and a half, I hope I have enough in the system to get TDI. I'll definately be looking  into that some more.

Thanks

Hello,
   I'm an CNA too. I never got a dime for being out of work! I worked for my company for over 10 years. I was out of work close to 3 months,. But it was only due to complications with my surgery.  I also had open surgery. Are you having open surgery?? I was forewarned that my surgery was going to be very complicated! But I didn't know I'd come out with a feeding tube and be out of work so long!

   Thank God I have a great credit score! I did a $3,500 balance transfer into my bank for only 2.99% for 12 months. Well it did cost me 3% of the balance too, $105.00. That was a great help for me. Considering I had no money coming in at all!!! I could have taken out up too $10,000. I was not going there! I do not like owing anyone money! I really had no choice in doing what I did, honestly. I did not use it all and paid $300 of it right back after I was allowed back to work. I will do my best to get it paid all by 12 months. I also did plan a head and saved enough money for 2 months of bills. I just never thought about the extra medical stuff! Yikes!

    I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and I had a feeding tube for 8 weeks. I had to wait for the feeding tube to come out in order for me to return to work. Everyone who I had shared a room with were back to work in less then 3-4 weeks. One woman was also a CNA. Two were Nurses. I keep in touch with one of the ladies, the CNA.  She did great going back at 3 weeks. Glad she did too. I hope you were able to save up some money..All the best to you. You'll do fine. Alizka

Hi there!  Definitely contact the state of Rhode Island and inquire about TDI.  I work in payroll in RI but live in MA and TDI comes out of my check each week.  It may not be listed as TDI, may be listed as disability or something along those lines.  If you are working in Rhode Island, i belive it is required to be withheld.  If its not being withheld and the state says you arent eligible to collect i would definitely recommend bringing it up to your HR or Payroll contact at your employer.  Also you may want to ask you employer if they offer any sort of compensation if you are on a medical leave.  Some employers do this.  Good luck with everything!!

All I can do is wait, fill out the form, and hope. None of the places I work for seem to know if they take TDI out of my check. Ugh useless...

Having had a laparoscopic RNY, with no complications, i got full clearance for *any* kind or amount of physical work after 4 weeks.  

I had a job with no benefits, so I had to take time off without pay, it does suck.  but it was well worth it.  I lost the job shortly after I went back, for reasons probably unrelated to the time off, but not helped by it.  so it's turning into a really long unpaid break.  painful.

Hi, I was a CNA until about two years ago, but when I was there, when people were injured or otherwise couldn't do the heavy lifting, the job put them on "light duty" and these were the people that monitored the common areas, etc.  Maybe the facility you work at has something similar?  Sometimes they'll let you do admin stuff short term, too, most places need admin people and jump at the chance to have them short term to clean up admin messes.  ;-)