I'm new here but wanted to share my experience since I just went through something very similar! I'm a CA resident who was working remotely for a Texas company for about 18 months with no CA SDI withholding. I had to file for disability last fall after a car accident and was initially denied because of the SDI issue. However, I filed Form DE 2588 like Lincoln mentioned, along with tons of documentation showing I was physically working from my California home office - emails with my employer, home office expense receipts, utility bills, even photos of my workspace setup. It took about 6 weeks for review, but EDD ultimately approved partial benefits based on my previous California employment. The key was being super thorough with documentation and clearly explaining that I was performing work from California, not just living here while working elsewhere. My weekly benefit amount was lower than it would have been with full SDI contributions, but I still received meaningful support during my recovery period. Don't give up hope - the system is confusing but there are options for remote workers in situations like this!

I'm new to this community and going through a very similar situation! I'm a CA resident who's been working remotely for a company in Oregon for about 9 months now. They also won't withhold CA SDI, claiming they only handle Oregon state taxes since that's where the company is based. I've been really anxious about this because I'm planning to start a family soon and know I'll need disability benefits for maternity leave. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief - I had no idea there were potential options like Form DE 2588 or that previous CA work history could still count! I worked in California for about 5 years before taking this remote position, so hopefully that gives me a decent foundation if I need to file a claim. Luca's success story is especially encouraging - knowing someone actually got through the process and received partial benefits makes this feel much more manageable. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything immediately. Already have emails where I told my employer about working from my home office in San Francisco, plus lease and utility bills. Going to add work expense receipts and maybe even those workspace photos Luca mentioned. This thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your real experiences with navigating this confusing system!

Hi! I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement after reading through this incredibly helpful thread. As someone who recently went through a maternity leave extension for postpartum complications (severe fatigue and postpartum anxiety), I can tell you that everyone's advice here is absolutely spot-on. The key points that made all the difference for me were: 1. Notify your employer immediately - don't wait for EDD approval 2. Email both your manager AND HR with professional, brief language 3. Document everything and request written confirmation 4. Frame it as "medically necessary" rather than getting into details Your timing with 3 weeks notice is actually really good! I only gave 10 days notice and it still worked out fine because I handled the communication professionally. One thing that really helped me was preparing mentally for the fact that my manager might not be thrilled about the news, but that their reaction doesn't change the fact that you're handling this properly and legally. You're following all the right steps. Postpartum anemia and depression are serious medical conditions that absolutely warrant extended recovery time. You're being responsible by taking care of your health now so you can be the best mom and employee possible when you do return. This community is such a valuable resource - I wish I had found it earlier! You've got this! 💙

Hi there! I'm new to this community but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in HR and has helped employees navigate these exact situations. The advice you've received here is excellent - you absolutely need to notify your employer separately from the EDD process. From an HR standpoint, here's what we need to know: 1. That you'll need extended leave beyond your original return date 2. The approximate duration (through June in your case) 3. That it's medically necessary due to postpartum complications You don't need to provide detailed medical information - just enough to establish that this is a legitimate medical need. Your 3-week advance notice is actually very good timing from a business planning perspective. One thing I'd emphasize that others have touched on: make sure you understand your company's specific leave policies. Some employers have more generous leave provisions beyond what's legally required, which could work in your favor. Also, if you've already exhausted FMLA/CFRA protection, your employer may still be required to provide reasonable accommodations under the ADA if your postpartum conditions qualify as disabilities. This is definitely worth discussing with HR. Document everything, stay professional, and remember - you're handling this exactly the right way by giving proper notice and following procedures. Your health comes first! 💙

As someone who just navigated the DE 2593 process last month, I wanted to share a few things that really helped me get through it smoothly! First, definitely take advantage of the "save as draft" feature if you're doing it online - I learned this the hard way when the system timed out on me halfway through 😓 Second, when they ask about your "ability to work," be very specific about your limitations rather than vague. For example, instead of saying "back problems," write something like "unable to lift over 10 pounds due to herniated disc." The more detailed you are, the better they can assess your situation. Also, if you're currently seeing any specialists or have upcoming appointments, mention those too - it shows you're actively managing your condition. One last tip: if you get stuck on a question, don't guess! Call and ask for clarification. I spent way too much time stressing over one section when a 5-minute phone call cleared everything up. You've got this, and this community is here to help if you need it! 💪

Just wanted to jump in and say thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences here! I'm also dealing with the DE 2593 form right now and honestly was feeling pretty anxious about it until I found this thread. The advice about printing it out first to do a practice run is genius - definitely going to try that approach. Also really helpful to know about the early morning calling strategy and the "save as draft" feature online. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone had experience with the form if you're dealing with a mental health condition rather than a physical disability? I'm not sure if the questions about work capacity apply differently, or if there are any specific things I should be aware of when filling it out. Thanks again everyone for being so supportive and sharing your knowledge! This community is a lifesaver 🙏

Update: I finally got through to EDD! For anyone with a similar situation - I needed to 1) File a recurrence claim for my postpartum condition 2) Have my doctor complete the DE 2501R form specifying it's postpartum depression related to pregnancy 3) End my PFL claim early. The agent confirmed I won't have another waiting period since it's pregnancy-related. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congratulations on getting through to EDD and getting this resolved! Your experience will definitely help other new parents who run into similar situations. The transition between PFL and SDI for pregnancy-related complications seems to be a common issue that isn't well explained in their materials. Thanks for sharing the specific steps - having the DE 2501R form number and the confirmation about no waiting period for pregnancy-related recurrences is really valuable information for this community.

I went through this exact transition about 8 months ago after a workplace injury. The most important things I learned: 1) Wait until your FINAL SDI payment has completely processed and shows in your account before applying for UI - don't rush this step or you risk denial for overlapping benefits. 2) Get your doctor to write a detailed letter focusing on your work capabilities, not just restrictions. Mine said I could do sedentary work, computer tasks, lifting under 15lbs, etc. 3) Start job searching NOW while still on disability so you have legitimate work search activities ready. 4) Apply for UI online the business day after your last SDI payment posts. 5) Be prepared for 2-4 weeks between your last disability payment and first unemployment check - have some savings if possible. The transition was smoother than I expected once I had proper documentation and timing. Don't let the horror stories discourage you - with the right preparation, it's definitely doable! Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the process.

I'm currently going through this exact transition and wanted to share what I've learned so far since I'm about 2 weeks away from my SDI ending. After reading all these helpful responses, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor specifically to get that "work capacity evaluation" letter that several people mentioned. My doctor was really helpful once I explained what I needed - she focused on writing down everything I CAN do (desk work, computer use, sitting for extended periods, lifting up to 20lbs occasionally) rather than just listing my restrictions. I've also started applying for office jobs and customer service positions that would work with my limitations. One thing I discovered is that many companies are actually pretty open to remote work now, which is perfect for someone with physical restrictions. I'm keeping detailed spreadsheets of every application I submit with dates, company names, and position titles so I'll be ready to report my work search activities right away when I start certifying for UI. The waiting and uncertainty is definitely stressful, but reading everyone's success stories here has given me a lot more confidence that this transition is doable with proper preparation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful!