Update: I finally got through to EDD! For anyone with a similar situation - I needed to 1) File a recurrence claim for my postpartum condition 2) Have my doctor complete the DE 2501R form specifying it's postpartum depression related to pregnancy 3) End my PFL claim early. The agent confirmed I won't have another waiting period since it's pregnancy-related. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congratulations on getting through to EDD and getting this resolved! Your experience will definitely help other new parents who run into similar situations. The transition between PFL and SDI for pregnancy-related complications seems to be a common issue that isn't well explained in their materials. Thanks for sharing the specific steps - having the DE 2501R form number and the confirmation about no waiting period for pregnancy-related recurrences is really valuable information for this community.

I'm going through this exact same frustrating experience right now! Just got my supplemental certificate request this morning even though my doctor already submitted updated medical information two weeks ago. Reading through all these comments has been such a relief - I had absolutely no idea that the DE 2525XX form was completely separate from the regular medical update! It's honestly mind-boggling how EDD has designed this system where they basically need the same medical information submitted through multiple different forms. The bureaucracy is absolutely insane! I was starting to think I had done something wrong when they kept asking for more paperwork. I'm definitely calling my doctor's office first thing tomorrow and will specifically mention the DE 2525XX form number so there's no confusion about what EDD actually needs. Thanks to everyone who shared their step-by-step experiences - it really gives me hope that there's a clear path through this administrative nightmare. It's so validating to find this community and realize we're all dealing with the same bureaucratic chaos. This system really is as poorly designed and unnecessarily complicated as it seems! Hopefully we can all get our claims sorted out soon. This whole EDD process has been absolutely exhausting but at least we're figuring it out together! 🤞

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's absolutely maddening! Just got the supplemental certificate request this afternoon even though my doctor submitted comprehensive medical updates three weeks ago. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no clue that the DE 2525XX form was completely separate from regular medical updates! It's honestly baffling how EDD has engineered this system where they essentially need the same medical information through multiple different bureaucratic channels. Like, do their departments not communicate with each other at all? I'm calling my doctor's office first thing tomorrow morning and will specifically ask for the DE 2525XX form. Thanks to everyone who broke down the step-by-step process - it's such a relief to know there's actually a path forward through this administrative nightmare and that I'm not losing my mind! This whole EDD experience has been incredibly draining, but finding this community and realizing we're all dealing with the same bureaucratic chaos makes it feel less isolating. Fingers crossed we can all get our claims properly resolved soon! 🤞

This is absolutely infuriating and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm honestly appalled by how widespread EDD fraud seems to be based on all these responses. I wanted to add one more important step that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. They handle complaints about government benefit programs and can sometimes get faster responses from agencies like EDD when there's federal oversight involved. Also, when you visit the EDD office tomorrow, ask them specifically about their "account takeover" protocols - this sounds like a classic account takeover situation where someone gained access to your existing account rather than creating a fraudulent new one. They should have specific procedures for these cases that might be different from regular fraud claims. The fact that someone was able to drain $28,000 from the system using your identity for 14 months while you were actively working shows massive system failures on EDD's part. You shouldn't have to become an expert in fraud recovery just to get benefits you legitimately need and have earned through years of contributions. Everyone here has given you such incredible advice - you're going to be amazingly well-prepared for tomorrow's visit! Please keep us updated on your progress, and I'm sending positive thoughts for both resolving this mess quickly and for your recovery. You've got this!

This is absolutely heartbreaking and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm genuinely shocked by how many people have shared similar experiences here - it really shows there are serious systemic problems with EDD's security that need immediate attention. Reading through all the incredible advice everyone has given you, I'm amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. You've gone from a panic-inducing discovery to having a comprehensive action plan that covers everything from fraud reporting to media contacts to federal oversight agencies. One small additional thought - when you're at the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking them to walk you through exactly what security measures they're implementing to prevent this from happening to you (or others) again. It's not enough for them to just fix your current situation - they should be able to explain what systemic changes they're making to prevent these account takeovers in the future. The fact that someone could collect $28,000 in benefits under your name for 14+ months while you were actively working and paying into the system shows incredible negligence on their part. You shouldn't have to become a fraud expert just to access benefits you've legitimately earned. You're going to do great tomorrow - you're so well-prepared now thanks to everyone's advice here! Please keep us all updated on how it goes. Sending you strength for dealing with this bureaucratic mess and hopes for a speedy recovery from your injury. You've got this! 💪

I'm currently navigating my first SDI claim for herniated disc surgery and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! Like everyone else, I was completely confused by the "automatic payment" language on my paperwork and wasn't sure if I was missing some crucial step. Reading through all these experiences has really helped calm my nerves. It sounds like the automatic payment system for regular SDI claims (non-pregnancy related) is actually one of the smoother aspects of dealing with EDD - no bi-weekly certifications needed like unemployment benefits require. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about setting up bank notifications and keeping digital copies of all my paperwork. One thing I'm curious about - for those who had automatic SDI payments, did you receive any kind of confirmation or notice when your claim was fully approved and payments were about to start? Or did the money just show up in your account without much fanfare? Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly. It's such a relief to find a community of people who understand how stressful and confusing this process can be, especially when you're already dealing with recovery from surgery!

As someone who just finished their first SDI claim for carpal tunnel surgery (sounds like we had very similar situations!), I can definitely confirm that "automatic payment" means exactly what it sounds like - no certification needed on your part. Once your doctor submits the certification to EDD, the payments just show up every two weeks like clockwork. I was just as paranoid as you about making mistakes, especially coming from unemployment where you have to certify constantly. But with regular SDI, it's honestly a huge relief - you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about missing deadlines or dealing with the EDD website. Just a couple of things that helped me: I set up text alerts on my bank account so I'd know immediately when payments came through (they arrived every other Tuesday for me), and I made sure to keep my doctor in the loop about my recovery progress in case I needed any extensions. The 8-week period your doctor certified should cover you automatically unless something changes. Hope your recovery goes smoothly! The automatic system really does work as advertised once everything gets processed.

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation! My pregnancy disability ended two weeks ago and I'm now dealing with postpartum depression. This entire thread has been absolutely lifesaving - I was completely overwhelmed until I found all this detailed guidance. Based on everyone's experiences, it's clear you'll need to file a NEW claim since your pregnancy disability already ended on 3/18. The step-by-step advice from NeonNova and others about using the F53.0 diagnosis code, backdating to 3/19, and submitting via both fax and mail is incredibly valuable. One thing I wanted to add that my therapist's office mentioned - when they submit the DE 2501 form, they recommend including a brief timeline showing the progression from pregnancy to delivery to postpartum depression. This helps EDD reviewers understand the medical continuity and can speed up approval. Also, if you're taking any medications for PPD, having your therapist mention those in their notes can further demonstrate the severity and need for ongoing treatment. The waiting period waiver for seamless transitions is huge - I had no idea that was possible! It's so reassuring to know that with proper backdating, there shouldn't be gaps in coverage. Thank you Paolo for asking this question and everyone for sharing your experiences. This community knowledge is going to help so many new parents navigate this confusing system during an already difficult time. You've got a solid action plan now - wishing you success with your new claim!

I'm new to this community but currently in a very similar situation - my pregnancy disability is ending next week and I've been experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression. This thread has been absolutely incredible and so educational! Based on all the detailed experiences shared here, it sounds like since your pregnancy claim already ended on 3/18, you'll definitely need to file a NEW claim rather than extend. The comprehensive step-by-step guidance from everyone, especially about the F53.0 diagnosis code, backdating to 3/19, and the dual submission approach, has been invaluable. One thing I wanted to add that my OB mentioned - when your therapist completes the DE 2501 form, they should also include any impact the PPD has on your ability to care for your baby, as this demonstrates the functional impairment extends beyond just work capacity. This can help strengthen the medical justification for the claim. Also, since you mentioned group therapy specifically, that's actually excellent evidence of structured, ongoing treatment. My therapist said EDD views group therapy very favorably because it shows you're engaged in evidence-based care and committed to recovery. The waiting period waiver information has been such a relief to learn about - I had no idea that was possible for seamless transitions! It's so reassuring to know there are protections in place for this exact situation. Thank you for asking this question and creating such a helpful discussion. The community knowledge here is going to help so many new parents navigate this confusing system. You've got great advice and a clear plan now - best of luck with your new claim processing!