As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support shown in this thread! Reading through Yuki's entire journey from initial confusion to successful resolution has been incredibly educational. The detailed advice from members like Carmen, GalaxyGlider, and others really demonstrates the value of having experienced people willing to share their expertise. It's particularly helpful to see the step-by-step guidance alongside personal experiences - both positive and challenging. This thread will definitely be a valuable resource for anyone facing similar recurrence claim situations. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative environment for those of us navigating these complex systems!

What an incredibly helpful and comprehensive thread! As a new member of this community, I'm really impressed by the level of support and expertise displayed here. Yuki, I'm so glad your recurrence claim was approved and that you avoided the additional waiting period - that must have been such a relief during an already stressful time. The step-by-step guidance from GalaxyGlider was particularly valuable, and Carmen's initial advice about recurrence claims vs. new claims really set the foundation for understanding the process. It's also reassuring to see the honest perspectives about EDD's challenges (like Zoe's experience with delays) alongside the success stories. This thread will definitely serve as an excellent resource for future members facing similar situations. Thank you all for demonstrating what makes this community so valuable - the willingness to share knowledge, experiences, and genuine support for fellow members navigating these complex systems!

Hey Malik! I went through this process last year and it can definitely be overwhelming at first. One thing that really helped me was calling the disability office directly to ask about my specific situation - they were actually pretty helpful once I got through to someone. Also, don't forget to submit your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits kick in. The sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts ticking. Good luck with everything! 🤞

Another thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount might be different from what you initially calculate because they sometimes factor in things like union dues or other deductions from your gross pay. I learned this the hard way when my first estimate was way off! Also, if you've had any gaps in employment during your base period, that could affect the calculation too. The EDD website has some good examples that walk through different scenarios - might be worth checking out before you submit your claim.

Pro tip: if you have a complex case, try asking for a tier 2 specialist when you finally get through. They're usually more knowledgeable and can actually make decisions on claims.

I've been struggling with the same thing for weeks! One thing that worked for me was using the callback feature on their website - you have to dig around a bit to find it, but it's under the "Contact EDD" section. I scheduled a callback for 8am and actually got a call back within 2 days. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. Also, try calling the disability line directly at 1-800-480-3287 instead of the main number - sometimes it's less busy. Good luck everyone! 🤞

wait i just reread ur post - ur still on pregnancy disability? not baby bonding leave yet? make sure u know the difference cuz i got confused and it caused problems with my claim!

I went through almost the exact same situation when I was on pregnancy disability last year! My employer also automatically applied sick time during my waiting period without asking, and I got hit with a $900 overpayment notice. What helped me was documenting everything - I found the email where I specifically told HR I wanted to save my sick days, and I also had them put in writing that their policy wasn't clearly communicated to employees. I did appeal, and while it took about 6 weeks, they actually reduced the overpayment amount by about 40% because I could prove I wasn't properly informed about their automatic sick leave policy. For your bonus, definitely report it ASAP through the SDI Online portal. I had a similar situation with a year-end bonus and the key is reporting it quickly to avoid any issues. The system will automatically calculate how it affects that week's benefit. One tip that really helped me - document EVERYTHING going forward. Take screenshots of your communications with both your employer and EDD, and keep copies of all notices. If anything else comes up during your PFL period, you'll be prepared!

I'm currently going through this exact situation! I'm 33 weeks and just had to stop working due to severe morning sickness that never went away plus some blood pressure issues. My doctor told me the same thing - file immediately after your last day of work. I submitted my claim last week and it's already been approved! The key things I learned: 1) Your doctor needs to be very specific about WHY you can't work (not just "pregnancy complications" but actual symptoms like nausea preventing you from performing duties, blood pressure requiring bed rest, etc.), 2) File online if possible - it's faster than paper, 3) Check your claim status daily online, and 4) Don't stress about the 7-day waiting period - that's automatic and built into the system. One tip: when I called my doctor's office to make sure they got the medical certification request, I asked them to fax it that same day rather than mailing it. This sped things up by almost a week! Hope this helps and congratulations on your little one!

I just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation last month! I had to stop working at 35 weeks due to pregnancy-induced hypertension and was so confused about the timing too. Here's what I learned: You absolutely CAN file on February 16th and list that as your first day of disability - don't wait! The 7-day waiting period is automatic, so you won't get paid for that first week but it still counts toward your claim. The most important thing is getting your doctor to be super detailed in the medical certification about WHY you can't work (specific symptoms, restrictions, etc.) rather than just saying "pregnancy complications." I also recommend calling your doctor's office a day or two after filing to confirm they received the medical form from EDD and ask them to prioritize submitting it. My claim was approved within a week because I stayed on top of the medical paperwork. Don't stress too much about the early timing - as long as your doctor medically justifies the need to stop working before your due date, EDD handles pregnancy complications all the time. Good luck and take care of yourself!