The EDD agents who said you qualify were correct! As others have explained, it's all about your base period. Since you were W2 during most of 2024, that will be your qualifying period for a May 2025 birth. One thing to note: make sure you have your doctor submit the medical certification form (DE 2501) promptly. Pregnancy disability can start up to 4 weeks before your due date, so you'll need that ready. Also, remember that SDI has a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin. After your SDI pregnancy benefits end (usually 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type), you can transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding time with your baby. PFL has no waiting period.

I went through something similar! I was W2 from 2019-2023, then went freelance in early 2024. Had my baby in August 2024 and was so stressed about SDI eligibility. Turns out I qualified just fine based on my 2023 W2 earnings during the base period. Here's what I learned: Apply online as soon as you can (4 weeks before due date). Don't stress too much about the conflicting phone info - the online system will automatically calculate your eligibility based on your actual wage records. If there are any issues, they'll send you a notice explaining what's needed. Also, keep detailed records of all your 2024 W2 paystubs just in case there are any wage reporting discrepancies. Sometimes employers mess up their quarterly reporting to EDD, which can cause delays. Having your own documentation speeds things up if you need to provide proof. You've got this! The $2,100 you paid in definitely wasn't for nothing.

This happened to me last year. Turns out they had my old address on file and all the notices were going there. Double-check your contact info with them!

This is so frustrating! I went through something similar a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: First, request a "Notice of Action" from EDD - they have to tell you in writing why your claim was stopped. You can do this online through SDI Online or by calling. Second, if you haven't already, file a written appeal ASAP. You usually have 30 days from when they stopped your benefits, but sometimes they'll accept late appeals if you have good cause. Also, keep track of every phone call, document, and interaction. Write down dates, times, and who you spoke with. This becomes super important if you need to escalate. Don't give up! The system is broken but your benefits are there - you just need to fight for them. Hang in there! 💪

i had twins too congrats!! mine are 3 now. the first year is sooo hard especially with two! my work tried to force me back at 8 weeks which was ridiculous, i could barely walk still from my c-section and was sleeping like 2 hours a night between the two babies. hang in there mama!!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of recovering from complications with twins! As someone who works in benefits administration, I want to add a few important points to the excellent advice already given: First, definitely pursue the SDI extension (DE 2525XX form) as your primary option. California is generally accommodating with postpartum complications, especially with multiples where recovery can be significantly longer. Second, regarding your employer's "staffing changes" comments - document these conversations immediately. If they terminate you while you're still medically disabled and have provided proper medical certification, it could violate several California laws including CFRA (California Family Rights Act) and potentially the Fair Employment and Housing Act. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - you might also want to explore whether you qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits to bond with your twins if you haven't used that yet. PFL is separate from SDI and you can use it after your disability period ends, which could provide income while you're transitioning back to work. Also, contact your local Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) office for guidance on your employment situation. They offer free consultations and can help you understand your rights before making any decisions about unemployment or legal action. You're not falling through cracks - there are protections in place, you just need to know how to access them. Hang in there!

just a heads up, theres been a glitch in the system lately that's causing some certifications to get stuck in pending status. EDD knows about it and is supposedly working on fixing it. might be whats happening to you

Hey Alejandro! I'm going through the exact same thing right now - submitted my certification 5 days ago and it's still showing as pending. From what I've seen in this community, it seems like there are definitely some system issues happening lately. I'd suggest checking your UI Online account every morning (that's what I've been doing) and maybe try calling early in the morning like Jackie suggested. The waiting is super stressful when you're counting on that money, but hopefully it'll process soon. Keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm dealing with something similar - filed my SDI claim about 3 weeks ago and it's been radio silence. The not knowing is the worst part, especially when you're counting on that income. One thing that helped me stay organized was creating a spreadsheet to track all my contact attempts (dates, times, methods) and any reference numbers they gave me. It makes you feel like you're doing something productive even when you're stuck waiting. Also, if you haven't already, try logging into your UI Online account at different times of day - sometimes the system updates overnight and you might catch new information before you get any email notification. Hang in there, this process is brutal but you're not alone in this frustration.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the waiting and uncertainty is absolutely crushing when you need that income. I filed my SDI claim about 6 weeks ago and just got my first payment last week, so there is hope! A few things that might help: 1) Try calling the SDI line (not the UI line) at 1-800-480-3287 - it's sometimes less busy than the main EDD number. 2) If you have your confirmation number from when you first filed, have that ready when you call. 3) Consider reaching out to your local assemblyperson's office - they have caseworkers who can sometimes help cut through the bureaucracy. The "no current claim" showing online happened to me too - turned out it was a system glitch and my claim was actually being processed. Keep detailed records of everything and don't give up. This system is broken but persistence does eventually pay off.