How To Get Unemployment While You Are Pregnant

• Author: William Asher
• Posted: 2024-02-01

Unemployment insurance is a program that is provided by the government. It is designed to assist people who have lost their job due to something that is out of their control. If you are approved for unemployment, then you will get a portion of what your salary was while you were working. There are several things that can disqualify you from getting unemployment. However, pregnancy is not one of those things.

You should not lose your unemployment benefits because you are pregnant. The United States government has created several laws within the past 50 years in order to protect working women who are pregnant. For example, women are able to take time off from work after they give birth without punishment due to the Family Medical Leave Act. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act makes it illegal to fire a woman for being pregnant.

Who is Eligible for Unemployment?

• You were fired or laid off due to something that you could not control.
• You were forced to quit due to something that you cannot control.
• Your previous employer paid unemployment taxes.
• You made enough money to qualify for unemployment.
• You are able to find a job that matches your skills.

Being pregnant does not affect your eligibility. It violates state and federal law to deny a woman unemployment because she is pregnant. Your benefits will also not be affected by your pregnancy. You will not be asked whether you are pregnant on the application.

However, if you are unable to work because your pregnancy, then you may be able to get disability benefits. A person must be able to work in order to collect unemployment. You must be able to prove that you are available to work. If your doctor put you on bed rest, then you are not able to work. That is why you will not be able to get unemployment.

Do I Need to Disclose my Pregnancy?

You do not need to disclose your pregnancy unless it has affected your ability to work. If you are bedridden, then you will not be able to work. That is why pregnant women who are on bedrest are not able to get unemployment.

The state government does not use pregnancy as a reason to deny benefits. Pregnant women will continue to receive their benefits as long as they are able to work and are actively looking for work. A woman's situation may change towards the end of her pregnancy. This can affect her eligibility.

Legal Protections

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 makes it illegal to fire a woman because she is pregnant. The Family Medical Leave Act also gives protection to women who are pregnant.

How to File for Unemployment

The process of filing for unemployment is the same. You will not be asked if you are pregnant. You can put on the application that you are available to work. As long as the doctor does not put you on bed rest, you can select yes.

You will have to file weekly as long as you are not working. As long as you are still available for work, you can get benefits. However, if you file during the week that you give birth, then you should select that you are not available to work.

You will not get any benefits until you are able to work again. However, you will stay in the system. When you get the okay from your doctor, you should file for unemployment again.

How to get an Unemployment Appeal

You have the right to appeal if you have been denied unemployment.

Maternity Leave

You cannot get unemployment benefits while you are on maternity leave. However, you may be able to get paid leave from your employer.

What Disqualifies you From Unemployment?

• Being a self-employed or independent contract worker
• Being fired for a just reason
• Quitting your job without having a good reason
• Putting false information on your application
• Not making enough money
• Not working long enough

It is also important to note that you can lose your unemployment benefits even if you have already been approved. For example, if you do not actively seek employment, then you can be denied benefits.