Benefits & Grants for Pregnancy

Childbirth and Sick Leave Benefits

• Working professionals, particularly parents, are granted different leave benefits such as pregnancy, childbirth and childcare leaves. Furthermore, the law allows expectant mothers to have flexible working schedules. Since pregnancy is a delicate condition, the law mandates that the welfare of the child and the mother comes first. Under federal law, pregnant women can have up to 12 weeks of sick leave. Sick leave benefits include prenatal visits, hospitalization, child birth and care. Recovery under sick leave depends on the recommendation of the doctor. If the doctor does not provide further recommendations, recovery sick leave will not be considered. Unless the child needs extra attention due to health complications, the sick leave won't be extended.

Annual Paid Leave and Advanced Annual Leave

• Both the father and the mother are allowed to use accrued annual leave at the time of the pregnancy and child birth. However, the conditions of the pregnancy and childbirth should be within the regulations of the law before the leave gets approved. The use of the annual leave is also only permissible if both parents apply for it one month in advance. Once the leave is approved, both parents can take off from work and get paid at the same time (paid leave). The sum of money compensated throughout the leave is equivalent to the amount of money the employee receives every year end.

Voluntary Leave Programs

• It's also possible for an employee to donate her leave credits to a fellow employee. A person who has used up all the leave credits can avail more leaves once a fellow worker voluntarily transfers the leave rights at the end of the year. For pregnant women, this is possible if the condition becomes extremely delicate and more medical attention is required. However, more "family bonding" during pregnancy or upon childbirth won't be allowed under this program.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

• Aside from leave programs, pregnant women are also eligible for different grants under the federal government. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is a program under the Department of Agriculture. The objective of the program is to provide social and health care services to low-income pregnant women and those who are already at the breast-feeding and child care stage. Women who qualified for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children grant will be provided supplemental nutritious foods along with nutrition education. They will also be referred for different social services and health care benefits. Eligible applicants are those from all federally recognized states and tribes. The grant shall be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).