I am expecting a baby and will be out on maternity leave for approximately 3.5 months.  I will receive 50% of my salary on disability for 6 weeks and the rest of the time will use my accrued leave credits (vacation time) in order to receive some pay.  However, I will not be bringing home a full salary the entire time I am out.  Does this (or can this) affect my IBR payments at all? 

Also, what affect does family size have on my IBR payments?  And when does the change take effect?  (Do I need to report the new child to direct loans, or does this take effect at the end of the year with the tax returns?)

I can’t find any general information on the new direct loans servicing website, so if you have recommendations on where this information is now located, I would appreciate it! 

Thank you!!

Congratulations!  A baby!

OK, I can’t advise you about your situation because of the rules governing attorneys. I can only give general legal information.

IBR doesn’t care about employment status at all.  Public Service Loan Forgiveness does, but not IBR.

As for family size, the regulations state:

Family size means the number that
is determined by counting the borrower,
the borrower’s spouse, and the
borrower’s children, including unborn
children who will be born during the
year the borrower certifies family size,
if the children receive more than half
their support from the borrower. A borrower’s
family size includes other individuals
if, at the time the borrower
certifies family size, the other individuals—
(i) Live with the borrower; and
(ii) Receive more than half their support
from the borrower and will continue
to receive this support from the
borrower for the year the borrower certifies
family size. Support includes
money, gifts, loans, housing, food,
clothes, car, medical and dental care,
and payment of college costs.

Do you already have a copy of Pat the Bunny to read to the new baby?

Heather, here is a related question: If both spouses are under IBR plans (married filing separately), would only one or both spouses be able to claim an unborn child for family size? In other words, would both spouses claim a family size of 3 (self, spouse, unborn child) or one spouse claim a family size of 3 (self, spouse, unborn child) and the other spouse claim a family size of 2 (self, spouse)? Presumably, the answer to this question is the same for an unborn or living child. Thanks.