btw anyone else notice that edd website always seems to be down for maintenance on weekends when u actually have time to deal with this stuff???? so annoying

I went through something similar about 6 months ago with my knee surgery recovery. My doctor submitted the extension paperwork and it took about 9 days to show up in my account. What really helped was calling the EDD disability line (1-800-480-3287) around 8am right when they opened - I actually got through on my third try and they were able to tell me the extension was received and being processed. The rep mentioned that extensions sometimes take longer because they have to verify the medical information matches your original claim. Hang in there, it should come through soon!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much better prepared now if my job situation changes. To summarize what I learned: - I should qualify for unemployment if I lose my job or get hours reduced through no fault of my own - EDD will use an "alternate base period" or "disability substitute quarter" because I was on SDI - This means they'll look at my earnings before pregnancy instead of counting disability as zero - I need to specifically mention my SDI period when applying - Even reduced hours might qualify me for partial unemployment Fingers crossed my job stays stable, but it's a relief to know my options. Really appreciate all the advice!

I'm in a similar boat - just came back from maternity leave and my company is already hinting at layoffs. It's so stressful dealing with this uncertainty when you have a newborn! One thing I'd add is that if your employer does reduce your hours significantly (like below 32 hours per week), you should definitely apply for partial unemployment right away. Don't wait to see if things improve because you can always cancel your claim if your hours go back up, but you can't backdate benefits if you wait too long to apply. Also, keep all documentation about any hour reductions or conversations about potential layoffs. EDD sometimes asks for proof that the job loss wasn't your fault, especially if it happens so soon after returning from leave. Good luck mama - hoping your job stays stable! 🤞

I'm a freelance camera operator and just went through this exact same situation! Got denied at 28 weeks but successfully got approved on my second try. Here's what I learned: The magic is in the medical language. Your OB needs to write "Patient is UNABLE to perform regular work duties due to pregnancy-related complications" - not just restrictions. For film work specifically, have them mention: - Balance issues from pregnancy make ladder/scaffolding work unsafe - Fatigue and dizziness create safety risks with heavy equipment - Physical limitations (lifting, prolonged standing) are incompatible with 16-hour production days I also created a simple document showing my typical work day with photos - EDD has no clue what film PA work actually involves. Attach it to your new claim (don't appeal, file fresh). Got my approval in 3 weeks vs waiting until 36 weeks. The key is making EDD understand that your pregnancy symptoms make your specific job unsafe, not that you just have some general restrictions. Your timing is tight at 33 weeks but definitely doable! Push your doctor to be very specific about WHY your pregnancy prevents you from doing PA work safely.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and work as a grip/gaffer in the film industry - just got my SDI claim denied for the exact same reason about my medical cert not establishing I couldn't do my regular work. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful, especially hearing from other film industry folks who've been through this! It's clear the key issue is that EDD doesn't understand what our jobs actually involve - they probably think "production crew" means sitting around holding clipboards instead of the reality of hauling 80lb lighting equipment up stairs for 14-hour days. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about getting my OB to fill out a completely NEW DE 2501 form with that specific "CANNOT perform regular or customary work" language, and I love the idea of including photos showing what the job actually entails. One question for those who successfully got approved before 36 weeks - did you submit any additional documentation beyond the medical cert and job photos? Like pay stubs showing the different production companies, or anything to prove the physical nature of the work? Thanks for sharing all your experiences - this gives me so much more confidence that I can get this resolved without having to wait until 36 weeks!

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the phone, try reaching out to your local assembly member's office. They often have direct lines to EDD and can help push things along. Worked wonders for me!

I just went through something similar last week! Don't stress too much - most of the time these alerts are just routine updates. Here's what I'd recommend doing right away: 1. Log into your EDD portal and check for any new messages or documents 2. Look for any action items or deadlines you might have missed 3. Screenshot everything for your records In my case, the alert was just notifying me that they received my medical certification renewal. No action needed on my part, and my payments continued normally. But definitely check your account first before calling - you might find all the info you need there and save yourself the headache of waiting on hold for hours! Keep us posted on what you find out! 🤞

guys i heard theres a new law coming that's supposed to make edd more efficient. anyone know anything about this?

I had the exact same issue a few months back - payment just vanished without any warning. Turned out there was a glitch in their system that affected a bunch of people. What finally worked for me was filing a complaint through the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) website AND contacting my state assemblyperson's office. The assemblyperson's office got me connected with someone at EDD within 48 hours. Also keep checking your online account obsessively - sometimes status changes appear there before anywhere else. Don't lose hope, just be persistent! 🙏