Major PPD & Cal State Disability? Help!
Well, friends. I have dropped my basket.
Without going into it all, I am dealing with some pretty severe PPD and I don't know what to do, and I can't find the information I need. Can any of you help?
First, let me say that I am so in love with my daughter ... she is soo not the problem. DH, work, and daily life are the problems. She is soo not who is making me overwhelmed. I am home sick today as the baby is on day five with croup, and it was a long night. Honestly, I just can't handle working full time and taking care of the baby iwth my husband traveling all the time. Right now he's gone for two weeks straight. But I am out of sick days, and I just want to cry. All the time.
I started by seeing a psychiatrist last week who diagnosed me formally and is sending my to my OB to start some meds. That is happening Wednesday. So, I am trying to take care of it.
What I want to do is stay home, and I think I need to right now. As I am a teacher, I don't know if I qualify because we don't pay into disability. I don't know how to do this. I think I can get state disability, but I need to know how much it will pay out before I make the commitment to go on either paid family leave or disability. I don't even know the difference. I tried to research it on the web, and I am so overwhelmed I am sitting here with tears in my eyes.
I'm rambing. I think I just need help, and any advice or direction you can provide would help. Thanks!
Without going into it all, I am dealing with some pretty severe PPD and I don't know what to do, and I can't find the information I need. Can any of you help?
First, let me say that I am so in love with my daughter ... she is soo not the problem. DH, work, and daily life are the problems. She is soo not who is making me overwhelmed. I am home sick today as the baby is on day five with croup, and it was a long night. Honestly, I just can't handle working full time and taking care of the baby iwth my husband traveling all the time. Right now he's gone for two weeks straight. But I am out of sick days, and I just want to cry. All the time.
I started by seeing a psychiatrist last week who diagnosed me formally and is sending my to my OB to start some meds. That is happening Wednesday. So, I am trying to take care of it.
What I want to do is stay home, and I think I need to right now. As I am a teacher, I don't know if I qualify because we don't pay into disability. I don't know how to do this. I think I can get state disability, but I need to know how much it will pay out before I make the commitment to go on either paid family leave or disability. I don't even know the difference. I tried to research it on the web, and I am so overwhelmed I am sitting here with tears in my eyes.
I'm rambing. I think I just need help, and any advice or direction you can provide would help. Thanks!
Thank you Laura. This is so hard for me ... I am fiercly independent, and I have the hardest time asking for help. I will call HR today when they open. I hadn't done that yet because the principal I work with is a HUGE gossip and I fear reprecussion if she finds out that I am researching staying home ... Thanks.
When you call HR or personnel, make sure you tell them that you want the conversation to be treated confidentially. I work in a school system as well and understand where you are coming from. We do not have state disability available to teachers here, but I do have private short-term disability insurance that I pay for out of my paychecks. I'm looking into using that if I need to be off longer than expected.
When I worked in NJ, they did have state disability but our school system did not pay into it so I would not be eligible for it. If the school can't help you, call the disability office for the state and see if they can help you.
Good luck.
When I worked in NJ, they did have state disability but our school system did not pay into it so I would not be eligible for it. If the school can't help you, call the disability office for the state and see if they can help you.
Good luck.
Momma to Alex 1/08/2007
Thank you for your input. I just got off the phone with HR right now, and I made sure she understood that I needed our conversation to be confidential. I hope it will be. She said that the district will allow 100 days of paid family leave with a doctors note, that takes me up to Spring. That is pretty decent ...
That sounds wonderful!!! That should get you through long enough to get settled in and time to decide if you can continue to work full time with a new baby and a hubby that travels alot for work. It's hard being a single parent! I know your married, but I went through the same thing...I had 3 under the age of 5, and my hubby worked 24/7 so was never home...therefore...I was a single mom. Please feel free to post and vent here any time...I always love hearing from the pirates :)
Laura
Laura
You're sooo right, it was a huge relief to hear i had options. I am out of sick days as the district used them for my maternity leave, and the 100 days is at 50% (per diem minus sub pay), but that's okay ... I can make that work. I don't feel so desperate now at least! Thank you for your support! xoxo
Sorry I am so late jumping in....
It sounds like you got some great options...that is awesome...I work in the private sector so I know it may be different....unless FMLA is for all parties (for some reason I think it is). FMLA is a guarantee of UNPAID time off but to secure a job for you. Usually it is partnered up with some form of disability. It is for up to 12 weeks and you have to be employed a min of 12 months and work so many hours of that year.
Glad you are going to the OB too....let us know how that pans out....
And you are NOT alone....being a single mom right now anytime Nathan gets sick I freak out as it is just ME to take care of him, go get him from daycare, take him to dr, wake up all hours, etc. I have a pretty demanding job too but thankfully a great understanding boss. I also love my job too and so that helps me stay motivated. Please feel free to PM me if you need to chat. We can definitely commiserate together...there are lots of other women on this board in our same boats too....vent away....
Major hugs to you and little Lydia!!!!
It sounds like you got some great options...that is awesome...I work in the private sector so I know it may be different....unless FMLA is for all parties (for some reason I think it is). FMLA is a guarantee of UNPAID time off but to secure a job for you. Usually it is partnered up with some form of disability. It is for up to 12 weeks and you have to be employed a min of 12 months and work so many hours of that year.
Glad you are going to the OB too....let us know how that pans out....
And you are NOT alone....being a single mom right now anytime Nathan gets sick I freak out as it is just ME to take care of him, go get him from daycare, take him to dr, wake up all hours, etc. I have a pretty demanding job too but thankfully a great understanding boss. I also love my job too and so that helps me stay motivated. Please feel free to PM me if you need to chat. We can definitely commiserate together...there are lots of other women on this board in our same boats too....vent away....
Major hugs to you and little Lydia!!!!
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