Quick AnswerThis guide covers short term disability for pregnancy by state 2026. Benefits vary dramatically by state — from full paid wage replacement to nothing at all. Find your state below and act immediately — most programs require filing within days or weeks of your disability beginning.
Jennifer worked as a teacher’s aide in New Jersey and became pregnant. A colleague in the same role at a school in Georgia asked her how she was planning to handle her maternity leave financially. Jennifer explained she would receive eight weeks of disability benefits at 85% of her wages through New Jersey’s TDI program, followed by twelve weeks of Family Leave Insurance at the same rate.
Her colleague was stunned. In Georgia she was entitled to twelve weeks of unpaid FMLA leave — if her employer had fifty or more employees. She would receive no wage replacement at all. She was planning to drain her savings account.
Same job. Same pregnancy. Same needs. The difference was entirely which state they worked in.
In New Jersey I follow pregnancy disability and leave entitlements closely. The gap between the most protective states — California, New Jersey, Washington — and the least protective states is measured in thousands of dollars of wage replacement that working parents in weaker states simply do not receive. Knowing your state’s entitlement before your pregnancy is the only way to plan accurately.
All 50 States — Short Term Disability for Pregnancy by State 2026
| State | Pregnancy Leave Entitlement | Paid / Unpaid + Key Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid if employer has 50+ employees. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. AL DOL handles FMLA complaints. |
| Alaska | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Alaska Family Leave Act adds protections for smaller employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. AS 39.20.500. |
| Arizona | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. ARS 23-371 governs pregnancy accommodation. |
| Arkansas | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| California | SDI for pregnancy + PFL — very strong | California SDI covers pregnancy disability — typically 4 weeks before birth plus 6-8 weeks after (longer for C-section) at 60-70% of wages. After SDI ends, California Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides up to 8 weeks at same rate to bond with the baby. Total: up to 12+ weeks of paid wage replacement. File SDI at edd.ca.gov. One of the strongest pregnancy leave frameworks nationally. |
| Colorado | FAMLI covers pregnancy leave | Colorado FAMLI covers own serious health condition including pregnancy and childbirth. Up to 12 weeks at 90% of wages for lower earners. Additional weeks possible for pregnancy complications. File at myfamli.com. |
| Connecticut | CT Paid Leave — strong | Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave covers pregnancy and bonding. Up to 12 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth. Benefits up to 95% of minimum wage or 60% of wages. File at ctpaidleave.org. |
| Delaware | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Delaware Paid Leave program beginning 2026 — verify current status. No current state paid pregnancy disability. |
| Florida | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid for qualifying employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. Florida workers rely on employer benefits or savings. |
| Georgia | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid for qualifying employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. Significant gap for Georgia workers. |
| Hawaii | TDI covers pregnancy disability | Hawaii TDI covers pregnancy as a disability — typically 4 weeks before birth and 4 weeks after normal delivery at 58% of wages. Hawaii also has a Paid Family Leave program for bonding. HRS 392 governs TDI. File with employer’s TDI carrier. |
| Idaho | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Illinois | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Illinois Employee Sick Leave Act may apply. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. Chicago has additional ordinances. |
| Indiana | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid for qualifying employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Iowa | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Kansas | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Kentucky | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Louisiana | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Louisiana Pregnancy Accommodation law protects job. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Maine | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Maine Family Medical Leave Act extends to smaller employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. 26 MRSA 843. |
| Maryland | Maryland PFML beginning 2026 | Maryland Time to Care Act provides paid leave for pregnancy/bonding. Up to 12 weeks beginning 2026. Benefits at 90% of wages for lower earners. Verify current implementation status with Maryland DLLR. |
| Massachusetts | PFML — strong | Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave covers pregnancy disability and bonding. Up to 20 weeks for own medical condition (pregnancy). Up to 12 weeks for bonding. Benefits up to $1,144.90/week (2026). File at paidleave.mass.gov. |
| Michigan | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act provides limited sick leave. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Minnesota | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Minnesota Parenting Leave Act provides 12 weeks unpaid for smaller employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. Minnesota Paid Leave launching 2026 — verify current status. |
| Mississippi | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid for qualifying employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. One of the weakest pregnancy leave states. |
| Missouri | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Montana | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Montana Maternity Leave Act provides pregnancy protections. No state paid pregnancy disability. MCA 49-2-310. |
| Nebraska | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Nevada | Nevada PFL begins 2026 | Nevada Paid Leave law provides up to 40 hours paid leave. New expanded program may cover pregnancy — verify current status with Nevada Labor Commissioner. |
| New Hampshire | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave voluntary program available. No mandatory paid pregnancy disability. |
| New Jersey | TDI + FLI — very strong | NJ TDI covers pregnancy disability — typically 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after at 85% of wages. After TDI ends, NJ Family Leave Insurance (FLI) provides up to 12 weeks at same rate for bonding. Total: up to 16+ weeks of paid wage replacement. File at myleavebenefits.nj.gov. One of the strongest pregnancy leave frameworks nationally. |
| New Mexico | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. New Mexico Healthy Workplaces Act provides paid sick leave. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| New York | DBL + PFL — strong | NY DBL covers pregnancy disability — typically 4-6 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after at 50% of wages up to $170/week. NY Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides up to 12 weeks at 67% of capped wages for bonding. Total: significant wage replacement. File DBL with employer’s carrier and PFL through employer. |
| North Carolina | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| North Dakota | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Ohio | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Oklahoma | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Oregon | Oregon Paid Leave — strong | Oregon Paid Leave covers pregnancy disability and bonding. Up to 12 weeks for own medical condition plus 12 weeks for bonding (up to combined maximum). Benefits at 60-100% of wages depending on income. File at oregon.gov/employ/paidleave. |
| Pennsylvania | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. Philadelphia has some local ordinances. |
| Rhode Island | TDI + PTO — strong | RI TDI covers pregnancy disability at approximately 60% of wages. RI Parental and Family Medical Leave Act provides additional protections. Total leave available through TDI and bonding leave provisions. File at dlt.ri.gov/tdi. |
| South Carolina | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| South Dakota | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Tennessee | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Tennessee Maternity Leave Act covers smaller employers. No state paid pregnancy disability. TCA 4-21-408. |
| Texas | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. Texas workers rely entirely on employer benefits. |
| Utah | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Vermont | Vermont Paid Leave — partial | Vermont Paid Family Leave provides partial paid leave coverage. Voluntary program with state contribution for state employees. Limited for private sector. 21 VSA 472a. |
| Virginia | Virginia Paid Leave — developing | Virginia PFML program under development. Verify current status with Virginia DOLI. FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid currently available. |
| Washington | WA Paid Leave — strong | Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave covers pregnancy disability and bonding. Up to 12 weeks for own medical condition plus 12 weeks for bonding (up to 16-18 total with pregnancy complications). Benefits up to 90% of wages for lower earners. File at paidleave.wa.gov. Very strong program. |
| West Virginia | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
| Wisconsin | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act extends protections. No state paid pregnancy disability. Wis. Stat. 103.10. |
| Wyoming | No paid pregnancy disability | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid. No state paid pregnancy disability. No state paid family leave. |
What Actually Happened to Jennifer in New Jersey
Jennifer’s situation resolved well because the benefit existed and she knew about it. The program was funded by payroll deductions already paid. The filing process was online and took less than an hour. Benefits arrived within three weeks.
The workers in states without these programs are not in a worse position because they paid less in taxes or premiums. They are in a worse position because their state legislature never created the program. Knowing your state’s entitlement — and acting on it when you need it — is the entire difference.
Questions People Ask About Short Term Disability for Pregnancy by State 2026
Does FMLA provide paid leave for pregnancy?
No — federal FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for pregnancy and childbirth. FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees. It protects your job but provides no wage replacement. Paid wage replacement during pregnancy comes from state SDI or paid family leave programs, employer-provided disability or parental leave policies, or private disability insurance that covers pregnancy.
How do I use STD and FMLA together for pregnancy leave?
You can typically run FMLA concurrently with STD or state disability benefits — meaning the weeks count toward both at the same time. This is actually the most common approach: STD or state SDI pays wage replacement during the disability period, while FMLA protects your job. Check with your employer’s HR department about how they coordinate these programs. Most employers run them concurrently rather than sequentially.
What if I have pregnancy complications that extend my disability?
Most state SDI programs and private STD policies cover pregnancy complications as medical disability beyond the standard recovery period. A physician’s certification documenting the complication and extended recovery time supports an extended claim. In California, New Jersey, and Washington, extended claims for pregnancy complications are routinely approved with medical documentation.
Department of Labor — FMLA ·
California EDD — SDI ·
New Jersey TDI and FLI ·
State Labor Department and Insurance Department Official Websites
📋 Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Disability insurance and paid leave laws vary by state and change regularly — several new programs launched or expanded in 2024-2026. Always verify current benefit amounts and eligibility rules with your state’s labor department or disability insurance program. USARoundup.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation of any kind.
Last reviewed and updated for 2026 · USARoundup.com