pregnant with my 3rd baby here! trust me file RIGHT AFTER your last day worked. dont wait. the system takes forever especially for pregnancy claims because there are so many. my last claim took 5 weeks to process even tho my dr submitted everything right away!!

One thing I learned from my own pregnancy SDI claim - make sure you keep working right up until your disability start date (2/20 in your case). I made the mistake of taking a few sick days before my official disability period started, and EDD questioned whether I was actually disabled or just using regular sick time. It delayed my claim by weeks while they investigated. Also, if you're planning to use any accrued vacation time after your baby is born, don't mention that in your initial application - it can complicate things. Focus solely on the medical disability period your doctor has certified. Good luck with everything!

lmao welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy 🤡 where nothing makes sense and the rules are made up. Good luck, you're gonna need it!

I went through something similar last year and it was such a headache! The key thing that helped me was getting everything in writing. When I called EDD, they told me it was a workers' comp issue, so I immediately emailed my HR department asking for clarification about my work-related injury claim status. Turns out my employer hadn't even filed the workers' comp paperwork yet! 🤦‍♀️ That "state disability offset" on your paystub is probably your employer reducing your regular pay because they expect you to receive disability benefits elsewhere. But if no one has actually processed your claim properly, you're stuck in limbo getting neither your full pay nor the disability benefits. My advice: Email both your HR department AND follow up with EDD in writing. Give them a deadline to respond (like 5 business days) and escalate if they don't. You shouldn't have to choose between eating and getting proper medical care while they figure out their paperwork!

I went through the exact same nightmare with ID.me! Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: First, try the paper application route - you can download form DE 2501 from the EDD website and mail it in. It takes longer but bypasses ID.me completely. If you need to stick with online, I had success by: - Using incognito/private browsing mode - Trying different times of day (early morning worked best for me) - Having backup documents ready (utility bills, bank statements, etc.) Also, document EVERYTHING - screenshot error messages, save confirmation numbers from your support tickets. If you end up needing to escalate, having a paper trail helps. The assemblyperson route that @Malik mentioned is legit - mine got back to me within 48 hours and had my case moving again. Don't feel bad about reaching out to them, that's literally what they're there for. Hang in there, you WILL get through this! The system is broken but people like us have to stick together and share what works. 💪

I'm dealing with a similar ID.me mess right now too! One thing that helped me get some movement was filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs. They have an online complaint form and they actually follow up on ID.me issues since it affects so many state services. Also, if you're really stuck, you might want to try contacting your county's disability services office directly - sometimes they can provide alternative verification methods or at least flag your case as urgent while you're dealing with the ID.me nightmare. The whole system is frustrating but don't give up! Keep documenting everything and try multiple approaches at once. Good luck! 🍀

This is why we need to overhaul the entire system. It's ridiculous that people have to stress about whether they'll get the money they need to survive. Vote for change!

Hey Sofia! I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago - payment was 4 days late and I was panicking. Turns out EDD was doing some backend maintenance that wasn't announced anywhere. The payment showed up eventually, but the stress was real! One thing that helped me was logging into the EDD portal and checking if there were any pending issues or flags on my account. Sometimes they'll put a hold if they need additional documentation or if there's a discrepancy they're reviewing. Also, if you have direct deposit, double-check that your banking info is still correct in your profile. I know someone whose payment got delayed because their bank changed routing numbers and they didn't update it. Sending you good vibes that it gets sorted out soon! The waiting is the worst part. 💙

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much better prepared now if my job situation changes. To summarize what I learned: - I should qualify for unemployment if I lose my job or get hours reduced through no fault of my own - EDD will use an "alternate base period" or "disability substitute quarter" because I was on SDI - This means they'll look at my earnings before pregnancy instead of counting disability as zero - I need to specifically mention my SDI period when applying - Even reduced hours might qualify me for partial unemployment Fingers crossed my job stays stable, but it's a relief to know my options. Really appreciate all the advice!

I'm in a similar boat - just came back from maternity leave and my company is already hinting at layoffs. It's so stressful dealing with this uncertainty when you have a newborn! One thing I'd add is that if your employer does reduce your hours significantly (like below 32 hours per week), you should definitely apply for partial unemployment right away. Don't wait to see if things improve because you can always cancel your claim if your hours go back up, but you can't backdate benefits if you wait too long to apply. Also, keep all documentation about any hour reductions or conversations about potential layoffs. EDD sometimes asks for proof that the job loss wasn't your fault, especially if it happens so soon after returning from leave. Good luck mama - hoping your job stays stable! 🤞