As a new parent who just navigated this exact situation last month, I can completely understand your panic! You absolutely did the right thing by reporting your actual delivery date - even though it felt "late," this is exactly what that feature is designed for since babies rarely arrive exactly on their due dates. Your SDI should automatically adjust to end 6 weeks from your actual delivery date (3/18), so you should now be covered until 4/29 instead of 4/20. This ensures you get your full postpartum recovery period based on when your baby actually arrived, not the estimated due date. For the PFL transition, I'd recommend submitting your application around 4/22 (about a week before your adjusted SDI end date) to avoid any gaps. You'll need form DE 2501FP and your baby's birth certificate - no doctor certification required for the bonding portion! A few things that really helped me: 1) Check your SDI Online account over the next few days and screenshot the updated end date for your records, 2) Set phone reminders for key dates because newborn exhaustion makes everything harder to remember, and 3) Don't stress about the reporting timing - EDD handles delivery date updates all the time. You're doing an amazing job navigating all this bureaucracy while caring for a newborn. The system can feel overwhelming, but you're asking all the right questions and taking the right steps!

As a new parent who just went through this exact same situation a couple months ago, I want to reassure you that you handled everything perfectly! Reporting your actual delivery date was absolutely the right move, even if it felt "late" - the system is specifically designed for this since most babies don't arrive exactly on their due dates. Your SDI should automatically adjust to end 6 weeks from your actual delivery date of 3/18, so your benefits should now run until 4/29 instead of 4/20. This gives you the full postpartum recovery period you're entitled to based on when your baby actually arrived. For your PFL transition, I'd recommend applying around 4/22 (about a week before your SDI ends) to prevent any benefit gaps. You'll need form DE 2501FP and your baby's birth certificate - no doctor certification required for the bonding portion! A couple tips that really helped me: 1) Check your SDI Online account in the next few days and screenshot the updated end date for your records, 2) Set phone reminders for key dates because newborn brain fog is so real, and 3) Don't stress about timing - EDD processes delivery date updates constantly. You're doing an amazing job navigating all this while caring for a newborn! The confusion you're feeling is completely normal, and you're asking all the right questions. Everything will work out smoothly!

I work in cybersecurity and see these EDD phishing scams constantly - they're getting really sophisticated. The fact that you got this email just 4 days after filing is a dead giveaway it's fake. Real EDD communications take weeks, sometimes months. Here's what likely happened: scammers either bought data from previous breaches or they monitor public filing systems to target recent disability claimants. They know people are anxious and waiting for updates, so they strike while emotions are high. Pro tip: Set up a Google Alert for "EDD phishing" or "EDD scam" to stay informed about new tactics. These criminals constantly evolve their methods. Also, screenshot that fake email and report it to the California Attorney General's office at oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-person - they track these patterns. You handled this perfectly by questioning it and not clicking anything. Trust your instincts!

As someone who went through the SDI process recently, I can confirm this is definitely a scam. The timing is the biggest red flag - EDD doesn't move that fast on anything, especially not setting up online accounts for paper filers. When I filed my paper claim in January, it took almost 3 weeks before I got my first legitimate communication from EDD, and that was just an acknowledgment letter. The ID.me setup only happened when I manually created my SDI Online account weeks later. That sender email you mentioned (id-support@id.verify-benefits.com) is a classic phishing domain - real EDD emails always come from ca.gov addresses. Good catch on not clicking anything! One thing that helped me during the waiting period was signing up for USPS Informed Delivery so I could track when actual mail from EDD was coming. All legitimate SDI correspondence initially comes by postal mail for paper filers, not email. Might give you some peace of mind while you wait for your real claim updates.

As a newcomer to this community, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly detailed thread! I just joined because I'm facing my own SDI claim challenges and was feeling completely overwhelmed by EDD's confusing processes. Reading Oliver's complete journey from weeks of stress about the mysterious "receipt number" to successful resolution once the community helped clarify it was just the DI number has been so reassuring. What really impresses me is how multiple experienced members didn't just provide the answer but took the time to explain the whole process, confirm each other's advice, and even follow up to ensure the solution worked. It's honestly mind-boggling that EDD creates such unnecessary confusion with inconsistent terminology, especially for people already dealing with the stress of medical leave and financial concerns. But discovering this supportive and knowledgeable community gives me so much hope for navigating my own claim. This thread perfectly demonstrates why peer support is absolutely crucial for cutting through government bureaucracy - thank you to everyone who contributed their wisdom and experience!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this thread! I'm currently in the early stages of my own SDI claim and was already feeling anxious about all the different requirements and terminology EDD uses. Reading Oliver's complete experience - from the initial panic about the mysterious "receipt number" to the quick resolution once this amazing community clarified it was just the DI number - has been both educational and deeply reassuring. What really stands out to me is how multiple experienced members not only provided the correct answer but took the time to explain the process, validate each other's advice, and even check back to make sure everything worked out. It's honestly frustrating that EDD creates so much unnecessary stress with confusing terminology, especially when people are already dealing with medical issues and financial pressure, but I'm so thankful to have discovered this knowledgeable and supportive community. This thread is a perfect example of how peer wisdom can cut through bureaucratic confusion and save people weeks of anxiety. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you've given me so much confidence for navigating my own claim process!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm learning so much from everyone's experiences here. I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant with my first baby and after reading through this thread, I'm realizing I should probably start preparing for potential complications since I'm already considered high-risk. For those who successfully got extensions, did you find it helpful to establish documentation of complications early on, or is it something that can be done after the fact? I'm wondering if I should start keeping that detailed log that @AstroAdventurer mentioned now, just in case I end up in a similar situation. Also, @Philip Cowan - I hope your appointment with your OB goes well tomorrow and that you're able to get the extension you need. Your twins are lucky to have such an advocate fighting for them even while you're dealing with your own recovery challenges. Sending positive thoughts your way!

As someone who just went through this exact situation 6 months ago, I want to add a few practical tips that really helped me navigate the extension process. First, when you meet with your OB tomorrow, ask them to be as detailed as possible about your complications - don't let them just write "delayed healing." Have them specify exactly what type of healing issues you're having, how it compares to normal recovery, and how it's impacting your daily activities. Second, if you're dealing with anxiety or depression from the NICU situation (which is SO normal), consider asking for a referral to a perinatal mental health specialist. They understand the unique challenges of having babies in NICU and can provide very specific documentation about how this is affecting your recovery and ability to work. Finally, I'd suggest calling your doctor's office the day after your appointment to confirm they received your request and ask for a timeline on when they'll submit the paperwork. Sometimes these requests get buried on someone's desk, and you really can't afford delays with EDD's timing requirements. Your twins are going to do great - NICU babies are fighters! And you're being such a good advocate for your family by asking these questions and planning ahead. Hang in there! 💙

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - chronic migraines that have gotten worse over time, and my employer is already making comments about how "difficult" it would be to accommodate my needs. Reading through everyone's responses has been really helpful, especially the advice about documentation and the interactive process. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up needing to apply for unemployment after being terminated, make sure you're prepared for the work search requirements. Even with accommodations needed, you'll still need to show you're actively looking for work that can accommodate your condition. I'd suggest starting to research employers in your field who are known to be disability-friendly, just in case. Also, has your doctor discussed intermittent FMLA as an option? Sometimes having that protection in place can help bridge the gap while you're working out longer-term accommodations or transitioning between benefits. It's not a perfect solution but it might give you some additional job protection during flare-ups. Best of luck with whatever path you choose. This system definitely isn't designed for people with chronic conditions, but there are ways to navigate it successfully.

I'm going through something very similar right now - also dealing with chronic vestibular migraines and an employer who's already pushing back on accommodations before I've even formally requested them. The information everyone has shared here is incredibly valuable. One thing I learned from my disability attorney (yes, I ended up needing one) is that the timing of your documentation is crucial. Make sure your doctor's accommodation letter is very specific about what you CAN do with accommodations, not just what you can't do without them. EDD looks at your "residual functional capacity" - basically what work you're still capable of performing. Also, if your employer does terminate you, file for unemployment immediately even if you think you might not qualify. Don't let them discourage you from applying. The worst they can do is deny you, and then you can appeal with better documentation. I've seen too many people talk themselves out of benefits they were actually entitled to. One more tip - start keeping a symptom diary now if you aren't already. Document how your condition affects your work capacity day by day. This can be incredibly helpful evidence if you need it for unemployment appeals, SSDI applications, or even potential legal action against your employer. The transition from SDI to other benefits is genuinely confusing and the system doesn't make it easy, but you have more options than it might seem right now.