HI!

3 weeks ago I sustained a concussion. I have now exhausted all of my sick time, and am using my vacation time to be out since I am not yet cleared by the Dr to go back. What happens when I use up all my vacation time? I have long term disability, but how long till that would kick in?

Hard to say. Sounds like a good question for the HR dept. For myself I believe it is at least a two week process. You might also ask if it will require a doctors recommendation or letter to qualify. Concussion can be beast to cope with and I am sorry you are experiencing these challenges.

Ask HR or office executive about FMLA too - although it may be a no pay time off, but you'd have the time off without job loss.

I suffer from post concussion syndrome and am in month 7.

If you have a doctor's opinion that you should not return to work, you can file for short term disability with your state. There is a form to fill out.

These short term benefits for California are only $125 per week, but the filing protects your employment and health benefits.

FMLA will cover 12 weeks (again mostly no wages) but it protects you from being fired unfairly.

If your disability goes beyond 6 months, you can then file for long-term disability.

My employer did not have short term disability, so after my vacation/sick leave, from month 2-6, there was no inflow of income. Next time I'll buy short term disability insurance!

Long term usually picks up after 30 days but as others have said check with HR dept. The FMLA is a back up plan as another told you it is w/o pay but your job is secure or you could have dummies in management where you work and they fire you.it hapened where I worked but then if that happened you would probably become wealthy from the law suit you would win

Wendy - check with your HR department - LTD plans vary quite a bit. Some kick in as soon as 60 or 90 days post injury, others might be 180 days or longer.

FMLA, as others have advised, will protect your job right now and allow you to not work at all or to work a reduced schedule (intermittent FMLA), although it won't help you out financially. Your doctor can complete the qualification forms and you submit them to your HR department.

Look into social security disability insurance (SSDI), too.

I also have a concussion, I walked in your shoes not too long ago, and am still trying to figure this out, although I've already used my FMLA time. Good luck to you!

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