Welcome to the community and congratulations on resolving your claim! As a newcomer here, I've been reading through various EDD disability posts and your experience really highlights both the frustrations and potential solutions with the system. It's incredible that what seemed like a major bureaucratic nightmare got resolved with one phone call once you reached the right person. Your story is particularly valuable because it shows the importance of having multiple strategies - you were prepared to go through the formal appeal process but also tried the phone route first. The fact that Claimyr worked so well is encouraging for those of us who might face similar issues. I'm curious about the timeline - you mentioned filing "immediately after" delivery four weeks ago, but received the denial on 4/15/2025. Do you know if there's typically a standard processing time for postpartum disability claims, or does it vary widely? I'm asking because I might be in a similar situation soon and want to know what to expect. Also, for future reference, did the EDD rep mention anything about how to avoid this type of mix-up when initially filing? It seems like such a common problem that there should be clearer guidance upfront about the difference between SDI and PFL applications. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution - success stories like yours give the rest of us hope that these issues can actually be fixed!

Welcome to the community! As a newcomer here, I've been following this thread with great interest since I'm currently pregnant and will likely need to file for postpartum SDI in a few months. Your experience has been incredibly educational - both the initial frustration and the ultimate resolution. What strikes me most is how a simple administrative error (mixing up SDI with PFL) can cause so much stress for new parents who are already dealing with recovery and caring for a newborn. It's encouraging that the phone route worked so quickly once you got through to an actual person, but also concerning that this type of mix-up happens "frequently" according to the EDD rep. For those of us preparing to file future claims, your story highlights several key lessons: 1) Document everything from the start, 2) Don't be afraid to try multiple approaches (phone AND written appeal), 3) Services like Claimyr can be worth the cost if you're getting nowhere with regular calls, and 4) Always get confirmation numbers and rep names when changes are made. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as a reference guide for when I file my own claim. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution - success stories like yours give the rest of us confidence that these issues can be resolved with persistence. Congratulations on your new baby and getting your benefits sorted out!

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago! Your doctor can definitely extend before the original end date - mine did it 2 weeks early when I developed gestational diabetes complications. The most important thing is timing and documentation. Here's what worked for me: I called my doctor's office and specifically asked to speak with someone who handles disability paperwork regularly (not just any nurse). I explained that I needed a Supplemental Certification form (DE 2525XX) submitted ASAP due to new complications. My doctor included very specific medical language like "insulin-dependent gestational diabetes requiring extended monitoring and modified activity restrictions" rather than just saying "needs more time." The form was processed within a week and showed up in my SDI Online account. No gap in benefits at all! Just make sure you keep doing your bi-weekly certifications during the extension period. One tip: ask your doctor's office to give you a copy of the completed form before they submit it, so you have it for your records. This saved me when EDD had questions later. You've got this - being proactive now is exactly the right move!

As someone who recently went through this process myself, I can confirm that your doctor can absolutely extend your pregnancy disability before the original end date! I had mine extended twice - once at 36 weeks due to severe morning sickness that wasn't improving, and again closer to delivery due to high blood pressure. The key things that helped me: 1. Don't wait - contact your doctor's office this week to discuss the extension 2. Be specific about your complications when talking to your doctor so they can document them properly on the DE 2525XX form 3. Ask your doctor to use detailed medical terminology rather than general phrases like "needs more recovery time" 4. Request a copy of the completed form for your records before they submit it I found that being proactive actually made the whole process smoother. My extensions showed up in SDI Online within about a week each time, and I never had any payment gaps. Your HR's 30-day notice request is really just for their planning purposes - the medical necessity is what matters for EDD. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: if you're planning to use Paid Family Leave after your pregnancy disability ends, start thinking about that transition now so there are no gaps between the two benefits. Feel free to ask if you have other questions - this community has been so helpful during my own journey!

idk if this helps but I was in a similar situation last month. Turns out there was a glitch in their system that was causing delays for a bunch of people. Maybe check if there are any known issues right now?

This happened to my sister a few months ago! Turned out her claim got stuck in some kind of "pending review" status that wasn't showing up in her online account. She had to call and specifically ask them to check for any holds or flags on her account. The rep found it right away and was able to release the payments. Definitely try the calling strategies others mentioned - the early morning tip really works. Also, if you have any paperwork showing your return-to-work date, make sure you have it ready when you call. Good luck! 🤞

Has anyone else noticed that the EDD website is down like, all the time? How are we supposed to submit stuff online if their system is always busted? 🤦‍♂️

Hey Donna! I just went through this same process a few months ago and totally understand the confusion. Here's what worked for me: First, download the DE 2501 from the EDD website (when it's actually working lol). Fill it out completely - don't leave any sections blank, even if they seem irrelevant. For the DE 2525XX, call your doctor's office ahead of time and let them know you'll need this form filled out. Some offices are familiar with it, others aren't, so giving them a heads up helps. Also, I'd recommend submitting everything via certified mail so you have proof they received it. The whole process took about 3-4 weeks for me once I submitted everything correctly. You got this! 💪

I went through a similar situation when I had to have emergency appendix surgery just 2 weeks into a new job! The good news is that since you worked full-time for 2 years at your previous company, you definitely have enough work history to qualify for SDI. Just make sure you keep all your old paystubs showing the SDI deductions - EDD might ask for them as proof of your base period wages. Also, don't stress too much about the job protection issue. A lot of employers are understanding about medical situations, especially when it's something that was already planned. My new employer actually held my position even though they weren't legally required to. It's worth having an honest conversation with your manager about the situation. Best of luck with your knee surgery!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're concerned about your new employer's reaction, you might want to frame this as a pre-existing medical condition that was already scheduled before you started. Most reasonable employers understand that people can't control the timing of necessary medical procedures, especially when it was planned months in advance. Also, consider asking your surgeon if there's any flexibility in your return-to-work timeline. Sometimes they can clear you for modified duties (like desk work only) before full clearance, which might help with your employer relationship. Just make sure any work restrictions are clearly documented on your SDI forms. The fact that you're being proactive about this shows professionalism, and most managers appreciate that kind of communication over surprises!