idk if this helps, but I had a friend who went through something similar. She ended up having to go to an EDD office in person to get it sorted. Took forever, but at least she got it done.

I went through almost the exact same thing when I was pregnant with my first! The duplicate account situation is super common - you're not alone. I ended up calling the EDD customer service line at 1-800-480-3287 around 8am sharp (they open at 8) and explained that I had two accounts due to email access issues. The rep was actually really helpful and walked me through the process of deactivating the old account while keeping my work history intact. It took about 45 minutes on the phone total, but they got it sorted same day. Just make sure you have your SSN, old account info (whatever you can remember), and be ready to verify your identity. Don't stress too much - they deal with this all the time! And congrats on your pregnancy! 🤱

I'm currently going through this exact transition and wanted to share what I learned from my EDD caseworker last week. She confirmed that you absolutely need to file a new SDI claim after PFL ends - there's no way to "reactivate" your previous claim. However, she emphasized something that hasn't been mentioned much here: make sure your doctor dates the new medical certification to start the day AFTER your PFL ends, not before. If there's any overlap in dates, it can cause processing delays. Also, I'd recommend calling EDD's technical support line (not the regular claims line) at 1-800-300-5616 to verify your claim was received. This line typically has shorter wait times and they can confirm your application is in the system without discussing claim details. One last tip - if you have any pregnancy-related medical appointments or treatments scheduled during your PFL period, make sure those are documented in your medical records. It helps establish the ongoing nature of your condition when you file the new disability claim. Good luck with your recovery and the application process!

Just went through this exact transition two months ago and wanted to share my experience! Like everyone else said, you definitely need to file a new SDI claim - they won't reactivate your old one. Here's what worked for me: I filed my new claim exactly 7 days before my PFL ended and made sure my doctor's certification was SUPER detailed about how my postpartum complications had persisted and actually gotten worse during PFL. I also wrote a brief personal statement explaining that I had switched to PFL thinking I'd recover, but my condition deteriorated. The waiting period was waived since it was within 60 days and related to my original pregnancy disability. I got my first payment about 2.5 weeks after filing, so there was only a small gap. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep checking your EDD account online obsessively because sometimes they need additional info and the notifications don't always work properly. I almost missed a request for more medical documentation that would have delayed everything. Stay strong mama, the process is stressful but you'll get through it! Your health comes first. 💪

Don't panic! I made the exact same mistake on my SDI claim last year. The good news is you definitely don't have to start over. I called EDD and they were able to correct the start date over the phone - it took about 10 minutes once I actually got through to someone. Make sure you have your claim number handy when you call. The hardest part is honestly just getting through their phone system, but once you do, they can fix it pretty easily. Hang in there!

Don't worry, you're definitely not alone in making this mistake! I had a similar issue with my SDI claim where I mixed up the dates. The good news is that EDD can fix this pretty easily once you get through to them. From what I've seen in this thread and my own experience, the key things are: 1) Call as early as possible (right at 8am seems to be the sweet spot), 2) Have your claim number ready, and 3) Be clear about what needs to be corrected. Most people are saying it only takes a few minutes to fix once you're connected to a rep. If you're really dreading the hold time, it sounds like some folks have had success with that Claimyr callback service - might be worth considering if the $20 fee is manageable for you. But honestly, calling first thing in the morning seems to work pretty well too. Try not to stress too much about it - from all these responses, it's clear this is a super common mistake and the reps are used to handling these corrections all the time. You got this! 🙂

As someone who recently went through a similar interstate move (relocated from Oregon to California in late 2024), I can relate to the confusion around SDI eligibility! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea the base period calculation was so complex when I first started researching this. One thing I'd add that might be helpful: if you're working with the same employer across the move, they might be able to provide you with a projection of your California wages for the rest of 2025. This could help you model different surgery timing scenarios more accurately. My HR department was actually really helpful in running these numbers when I explained my situation. Also, since you mentioned Northern California specifically, depending on where you are, some areas have additional local disability resources or advocacy groups that can help navigate EDD if you run into issues. I found a local nonprofit that offers free consultations on disability benefits - might be worth looking into in your area. The consensus here about waiting until you have more CA wages in your base period definitely seems like the smart move if your medical situation allows for it. Thanks for asking this question - the responses have helped me understand my own situation better too!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's completely new to California's disability system, I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences with interstate moves and SDI eligibility. I'm in a somewhat similar situation - just moved to California for work and trying to understand how all this works before I potentially need it. The base period calculation explanation from @Atticus Domingo really cleared things up for me, and hearing real experiences from people like @Yuki Ito and @Carmen Sanchez about the actual timing and benefit amounts is invaluable. One thing I'm wondering about - for those of you who've been through this process, did you find that EDD was generally helpful when you called with questions, or is it really as difficult to get through as some people mention? I'm trying to decide whether to attempt calling them directly or use that Claimyr service that @Isaiah Cross mentioned. Also, @Ivanna St. Pierre, thanks for starting this discussion - it's going to be a great resource for anyone dealing with cross-state moves and SDI eligibility questions!

For what it's worth, the initial payment irregularity is actually by design in the EDD system. Your claim gets approved, then they often issue a small initial payment while the full calculation for back benefits is processed. Once that's complete, you'll receive the lump sum for all days owed, and then the system switches to a regular biweekly schedule. I recommend setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it's typically 2-3 days faster than waiting for paper checks. Also, make sure you continue to certify your claim every two weeks, even if payments seem delayed. Missing a certification can cause further delays.

I went through this exact same situation with my maternity disability claim last year! The single payment followed by a wait is totally normal - it's just how their system processes new claims. What helped me was checking my UI Online account daily because sometimes payments would show as "pending" before they actually hit my bank account. Also, I found that payments typically arrived on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so I'd always check those days first. The anxiety about money during maternity leave is so real, but hang in there - once the system gets going with your regular payments, it becomes much more predictable. You've got this!