The United States is currently one of the seven countries worldwide without federally guaranteed paid leave. Reports indicate that a mere 27% of the U.S. private workforce access paid family leave via their employers. Consequently, a mere thirteen states possess laws securing paid family and medical leave.

Highlighting these issues, Hirsha Venkataraman’s moving account outlines the substantial gap in such support. When his wife stopped feeling their baby move, at eight months pregnant; they discovered that their daughter, Talia, had tragically passed. The couple’s experience was accentuated by the cancellation of his wife’s paid maternity leave, an act within legality in most American states in similar circumstances. Additionally, Venkataraman was not eligible for paid leave either.

As an attorney, Venkataraman has focused his efforts on aiding families suffering from reproductive trauma. Part of this includes collaborating with PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a nonprofit pushing for paid leave for parents affected by stillbirth. Although their advocacy led to a New York state bill including such provision, it is currently on hold awaiting approval.

In an attempt to create change, Venkataraman established the fundraiser A Run for Thalia , conducted annually on October 18, his late daughter’s birthday. Funds raised from this event go towards helping PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy support families affected by pregnancy loss and to finance a national legal fight for paid leave.

In conclusion, while the intricate policies regarding paid family leave differ across each state, individuals who find themselves in similar predicaments as Venkataraman can resort to state-specific resources. For instance, in California, those in need can reach out to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) that provides support via State Disability Insurance (SDI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and Unemployment Insurance (UI). For direct assistance, contacting EDD or accessing their services may initially seem challenging. One alternative route to overcome this hurdle is the website eddcaller.com. This platform allows people to circumnavigate the automated phone system and reach a live representative speedily. It is an essential resource that simplifies how to contact EDD. Regardless of your specific concern or query, whether it’s about how to get a hold of SDI, how to contact PFL, or the fastest way to get through to EDD customer service, utilizing eddcaller.com will significantly ease the communication process.