Question:
Can anybody point me in the right direction regarding compensation from work?

I work for a contracting company with a fortune 100 company. So as I am just a contractor, I have no benefits, no vacation, sick pay nothing, however I do have good medical insurance. However, being out of work for so long after surgery is going to kill me financially. So I'm wondering i anyone knows of any sort of state program (I'm in MI) or other elective type of insurance I can get to help me out when I'm out of work. When I lived in New York my insurance covered some of lost salsry whilst in hospital and on top of that there was long and short-term disability leave. Can anybody give me som tips on anything like this in MI? I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks. Deborah!    — Deborah W. (posted on August 24, 2001)

August 24, 2001
There are "supplimental" insurance companies. Check with a company like AFLAC (a supplimental insurance company), they may be able to cover you.
   — Elizabeth D.

August 24, 2001
Maybe you can check into short/long term disability insurance. Usually companies make that available as an elective coverage. Would not hurt to check. Can you work from home?
   — Kim M.

August 24, 2001
Do you have short of long term disability? What surgery are you opting for? I am going for the laparoscopic one which requires 1-2 days hospital and 7-10 days off. So this is one thing I haven't been to worried about. On the off chance I have complications I do have short term disability which will kick in after 15 days.
   — Dawn R.

August 24, 2001
Get a fulltime job with a good employer that offers a full benefit package.
   — merri B.

August 24, 2001
I currently handle the state disability for several large employers in NY. There are only 5 states that have state disability - NY, NJ, CA, HI, and CT (I think that's the right list) maybe Puerto Rico. Other than those states, you'd have to have an employer-funded STD Plan or an Individual Policy, which would likely have a 2 year exclusion clause for current conditions. If your employer doesn't provide Short Term Disability, you are SOL. Social Security Disability Benefits require that you prove your disability will last at least a year and the benefits don't begin until the sixth month of absence from work. The Federal Gov't passed the Family Medical Leave Act which requires an employer to provide up to 12 weeks of leave for a qualified employee with continued medical coverage and job retention. So you can't get fired for being disabled but that doesn't help the financial problem. Unless you have savings or a generous family, there is no quick fix for your loss in income. But, if you remain working up until your surgery date, you may be able to minimize your absence from work and only miss a few weeks. It depends on your job duties and how willing your employer may be to accommodate some restrictions upon your return. My company doesn't provide STD so I am receiving NY state disability but it's only $170.00 weekly. NJ pays about $404.00 per/wk. I had to save ahead a little to cover bills and pay my rent in advance for September. I am willing to make whatever sacrifice necessary. My previous employer had a great program and, if they hadn't gotten sold, I'd be receiving full pay for the first 8 weeks out of work and 75% of pay for the next 4 weeks - it depended on your years with the company. Good luck to you! Take out a loan if you must - I'm sure it'll be worth it!
   — Linda K.