Okay, here's my secret weapon. Call the employer line instead of the claimant line. They usually pick up faster and can still help you. Just be super nice and they might transfer you to the right person.

I totally understand your frustration! I went through the exact same thing a few months ago and it felt hopeless. What finally worked for me was a combination of calling right at 8am sharp and using the "2-1-4" menu sequence to bypass some of the automated prompts. Also, I noticed that calling mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) seemed to have better success rates than Mondays or Fridays. Don't give up - I know it's exhausting but you will eventually get through! In the meantime, make sure you're documenting all your call attempts with dates and times, as that info can be helpful when you do finally reach someone. Hang in there! 💪

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.

Hey OP, what exactly happens when you try to certify? Are you getting an error message or is it just not letting you submit?

I've been dealing with similar certification issues for the past few weeks. One thing that helped me was using a different browser - I was having problems with Chrome but it worked fine in Firefox. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions or ad blockers that might interfere with the site. The EDD website is pretty finicky about that stuff. Good luck today!

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! 💪

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!