have u tried applying for unemployment?? sometimes u can get that if ur not totally disabled but still cant do ur regular job

You've gotten great advice here already. Just wanted to share that I was in a somewhat similar situation with a different medical condition. What helped me bridge the gap was working with a disability rights advocate from the Legal Aid Society in my county. They helped me navigate the system and find emergency assistance programs I didn't know existed. Google "legal aid disability advocate" plus your county name. Many offer free services if you're low income. They can sometimes find solutions that regular social workers might miss.

When i had knee surgery last yer i got help from my church. Have you tried asking local churches? A lot of them have benevolence funds for people in the community even if your not a member. Worth a shot!

Important note about timing: Most rental assistance programs in Orange County take 3-4 weeks to process applications, so this won't solve your immediate 10-day problem. I'd recommend: 1. Talk to your landlord NOW about a formal payment plan (get it in writing) 2. Apply for emergency assistance through multiple agencies 3. Contact Orange County Legal Aid (714-571-5200) which has a tenant rights program that can help prevent eviction while you're securing assistance 4. File for UI immediately if you're able to work part-time The good news is that many landlords will work with you if you're proactive and transparent about your situation and have a clear plan.

When I had my baby in January I waited almost 3 weeks for payment because of missing doctor certification. Call your doctor AND call EDD (if you can get through). Sometimes the doctor sends it but EDD doesn't process it correctly. The whole system is confusing. Congrats on your baby though!

Just a final clarification since there's some confusion in this thread: You filed correctly by starting with SDI. For pregnancies that end in birth, the process works like this: 1. SDI for pregnancy disability (typically starts up to 4 weeks before due date for normal pregnancies, but earlier for complications like yours) 2. SDI continues for recovery after birth (6 weeks for vaginal delivery, 8 weeks for C-section) 3. After SDI ends, you apply for PFL for bonding time (up to 8 weeks) Your hospital stay and early delivery were absolutely covered under SDI. Your doctor needs to specify the correct dates including your hospitalization in their certification. If they're taking too long, request to speak with the office manager or medical records department directly.

i had sorta the same thing happen but it was cuz i went back to work part time while on sdi and they asked a bunch of questions about my hours and pay and stuff. just be super honest and you'll be fine. they just adjust your benefit amount and it's no big deal really.

To address your specific concern about a supervisor letter - yes, documentation from your employer about their pay schedule would be helpful. The more evidence you have that this was a genuine mistake due to confusing circumstances, the better. Regarding the interview itself, be prepared for the following standard questions: 1. "Did you work during the period of [specific dates]?" 2. "Why wasn't this work reported on your certification?" 3. "Has your medical provider authorized this type of work?" 4. "How many hours did you work and what were your duties?" Answer concisely and honestly. Don't volunteer excessive information beyond what's asked. The interview typically lasts 15-30 minutes, and you should receive a determination by mail within 10 business days.

Has anyone else noticed how the whole system seems designed to make us get lost between programs? Like there's no clear pathway from SDI to UI even though it's a common situation. I bet they save millions by making it so confusing that people just give up. My sister-in-law worked at EDD for 3 years and even SHE says the different departments don't communicate well with each other!!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to apply for UI and be very clear about my situation. I've worked sporadically since being terminated, mostly jobs that paid me as a 1099 contractor, so I'm not sure if those count toward my base period earnings. I'll definitely mention the alternate base period if I get denied initially. I'm also going to gather all my documentation - my termination letter, medical restrictions, and proof of any work I've done since then. It sounds like being prepared for potential issues will save me a lot of headaches. I'm a bit nervous about the phone situation though. It sounds like getting through to someone might be really difficult, but I'll try that Claimyr service if I get stuck. Thanks again everyone!