Support for Unemployed and Pregnant Women in Colorado

We can help if you live in Colorado and are single, unemployed and pregnant.

Contact us online or at 1-800-ADOPTION to learn more about adoption financial assistance and our free services.

Pregnancy can be difficult, and you might be facing additional stress if you’ve recently lost your job. Depending on your circumstances, you could be eligible for unemployment benefits or parental leave in addition to adoption financial assistance.

Adoption Financial Assistance if You’re Unemployed and Pregnant

Support is available when you choose adoption. In Colorado, the adoptive family you choose for your baby can provide financial assistance through our adoption agency. This can help you cover attorney fees and other court-approved expenses.

This financial assistance can be extremely beneficial if you are unemployed and pregnant or if you only have access to unpaid FMLA leave. The exact amount you can receive depends on your situation, so we recommend reaching out to one of our adoption specialists for individual guidance.

Is There Unemployment for Pregnant Mothers in Colorado?

It depends on your situation. If you are pregnant and unemployed due to layoffs, you can file for unemployment benefits. Once you file your claim, you can get about 55% of your weekly pay over 12 months. There is a one-week waiting period before you can begin receiving benefits.

You will need to maintain eligibility to request payment. This involves registering with your local workforce center or Connecting Colorado, tracking at least five work-search activities per week and reporting to a workforce center if you get a Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program notice.

Unfortunately, if you quit or were fired for a valid reason, you will not be eligible for compensation. The only time you can claim unemployment in Colorado after quitting is if you can prove good cause, such as an unsafe workplace or discrimination.

Can I Get Unemployment if I'm Pregnant and Can't Work?

Generally, no. To claim unemployment in Colorado, you must be physically and mentally able to work and ready to start a job immediately. If a licensed healthcare provider determines you have a serious health condition that prevents you from working, you likely can’t maintain unemployment eligibility.

However, you can apply for Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TNAF) program, Colorado Works. Colorado Works can provide you with a cash payment, schooling, training, jobs and more if you’re pregnant and unemployed. To apply, visit the Colorado PEAK online portal.

I’m Employed, Pregnant and Can’t Work: What Can I Claim?

Unfortunately, there aren’t many options if you’re pregnant and too tired to work. However, private employers, the state of Colorado and the federal government offer paid and unpaid leave to employees for pregnancy complications, childbirth and parental bonding.

Here’s what you should know about each type of program:

Private Employer Parental Leave

Private employers often have their own paid parental leave plans or insurance policies. Exact details vary between plans, but you may be able to start your parental leave before childbirth. This is especially true if you’re pregnant and can’t work due to an official medical diagnosis.

Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program [FAMLI]

Workplaces that don’t have parental leave plans typically default to Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. Private sector employers with 50 or more employees are required to offer FAMLI; only local government organizations can opt out. To be eligible, you must have earned at least $2,500 in the last year.

Under FAMLI, you get 12 weeks of paid parental leave. You can apply for FAMLI up to 30 days before your expected leave start date. However, you must provide birth documentation to fully submit the claim and begin your leave. FAMLI payments are based on your average weekly wage over the past five quarters compared to the state average.

If you are pregnant and can’t work due to a serious health condition, you can use paid medical leave before childbirth. FAMLI offers an additional four weeks of leave if you’re experiencing pregnancy or childbirth complications for a maximum of 16 per year. Your licensed healthcare provider must sign a serious health condition form before you can take medical leave. To get the form, you will need to start the claim filing process online in the My FAMLI+ portal.

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA]

Public agencies and public and private elementary and secondary schools that opt out of FAMLI offer unpaid, job-protected parental leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You are eligible for FMLA if you’ve worked for your employer for at least 12 months or worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months.

You can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for pregnancy complications, childbirth and parental bonding. However, your employer may require you to use paid time off or sick days for some or all of your FMLA leave.

Moving Forward With Adoption

All of the services we provide are completely free to you as an expectant parent. As a national full-service adoption agency, we can offer you:

• Personalized adoption planning

• 24/7 counseling

• Help finding an adoptive family

• References to adoption attorneys

• And more

You can get the support you need and give your child a brighter future through adoption. Fill out our easy form or call 1-800-ADOPTION today to learn more about adoption financial assistance and what we can do for you.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.