social security insurance and fmla

[Guest]

my husband has been in an intensive care unit for 111 days. i filled out for ssi over 3 months ago, we have three small children and no disability insurance at work. i don't understand why it is taking so long to approve his case. he has botulism and the prognosis is long term rehabilitation approximately 1-2 years. are there any other options that we may be referred to? also could you explain to me how a person could be a county employee for 9 years and not have long term or short term insurance. what about fmla through his blue cross blue shield insurance?

[Mary C]

I can't comment on why there is no disability insurance - only that most regulations concerning employee benefits are written so that they do not apply to religious or government employers.

As for FMLA through the carrier - FMLA stands for Family and Medical Leave Act. Under it, employers must guarantee that seniority will continue to accrue and the employee may continue to participate in benefits, the same as any active amployee while they are on the FMLA leave. It also mandates certain rights that your job may be held open until your return, depending on your position. FMLA protection is only good for 12 weeks. Any FMLA notice or request would come from your spouse's employer, not your insurance carrier. You should check with his employer for further information, not Blue Cross Blue Shield.