How Megan L. went from assuming her layoff meant no paid leave to receiving over $20,000, months after her twins arrived.
Megan's story
When Megan was seven months pregnant with twins, she was laid off. Along with her paycheck went the benefits she'd been counting on and, as far as she knew, any chance at paid leave. With two babies on the way, she had more than enough on her plate, so she let it go.
A few months after her twins were born, Megan came across one of our Instagram posts explaining that getting laid off in CA doesn't automatically disqualify you from paid leave. She had no idea (most people don't!), so she booked a parental leave consulting call with Hello, Bundle, and before long she was talking through her situation with Linzay.
Eligibility for CA's paid leave benefits are based on wages five to 18(ish) months prior to going on leave. Since Megan was working during that time period, she was eligible!
We walked her through the application process, including appealing her denial since she had applied past the deadline, and a couple weeks later checks started arriving.
In the end, Megan received over $20,000 in paid leave benefits she very likely would have missed out on had she not seen our Instagram post and reached out.
Linzay demystified an incredibly daunting, antiquated, and confusing process and helped me get money I was entitled to, giving me more time to enjoy with my precious babies. In the end, I got over $20k that I very likely would not have received without your help.
So many parents assume they don't qualify and never find out what they're owed. You don't know what you don't know, which is exactly what we're here for.
Having paid time to settle into life with two babies gave Megan room to think about what came next. Today she's the co-founder of Green Street Social, a community helping San Francisco moms find their village. If you're expecting in SF, you should check out their Foundations Prenatal Program.
What we wish every parent knew
Megan almost missed out because of a few ideas we hear all the time. Here's what we'd tell any parent in her shoes.
- If you were laid off, your leave is based on the wages you've already earned and paid into, so losing your job doesn't automatically mean losing your benefits.
- If your baby is already here, it's best to file as early as you can, but please don't assume it's too late before you've asked.
- If your claim was denied, that doesn't have to be the end of the story. Appeals happen all the time, and they work more often than you'd think.
These are benefits you paid for with every paycheck, and you deserve every week you've earned.
Laid off, self-employed, already had your baby, or just not sure what you qualify for?
Don't count yourself out before you've asked. Chances are, you qualify for more than you think.
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