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Can I extend my pregnancy disability after emergency C-section with twins in NICU? Don't want to use PFL yet

I had a complicated pregnancy with twins and started my SDI claim in mid-January 2025, way earlier than I expected. My original due date was supposed to be April 8, but I ended up having an emergency C-section on February 26 when I was only 32 weeks along. My babies are now in the NICU and doctors estimate they'll need to stay there for at least 6-7 more weeks. I updated my disability claim with EDD noting my delivery date, and I understand they'll typically pay my pregnancy disability for 8 weeks after the C-section (until around April 23). My problem is that I don't want to start using my Paid Family Leave yet since my twins aren't even home from the hospital. Is there any way to extend my disability period beyond the standard 8 weeks post-C-section? Can I get a doctor to certify an extension while my babies are still in NICU? Has anyone successfully done this without having to immediately transition to PFL? I'm trying to maximize the time I'll have with them once they finally come home. Really stressed about this timing issue!

Based on what you've shared about your healing issues, I think you have a good case for extension. When I went through this, my doctor had to be very specific on the form about my recovery complications. Also, prepare for EDD to possibly request additional medical records or even send you to an Independent Medical Examination (they didn't do this for me, but I've heard others mention it). The key is timing - get your doctor to submit that supplemental certification at least a week before your current disability period ends. If approved, they'll just continue your benefit payments without interruption. If denied, they'll send you a notice and you'll have options to appeal.

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I have an appointment with my OB tomorrow and will definitely bring this up. So glad I asked here first! I'll make sure they're very specific about my healing complications. Thank you so much for sharing your experience - it gives me hope that I might be able to get this extension.

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I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation with your twins in the NICU. As someone new to navigating EDD benefits, I wanted to ask - for those who have successfully gotten disability extensions, how long did the approval process typically take? I'm in a similar situation (though earlier in pregnancy) and want to understand the timeline in case I need to pursue this option later. Also, did anyone have success getting an extension specifically for mental health reasons like postpartum anxiety/depression related to having babies in NICU? The stress of this whole situation is really taking a toll and I'm wondering if that could be grounds for extended recovery time.

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SDI only paid 6 weeks instead of 8 for c-section - help!

Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with my disability pay after having a c-section. I filed my claim in December and my baby was born on the 9th. I think I should have gotten 8 weeks of disability pay, but I've only received 6 weeks so far. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm trying to get this sorted out before I file for PFL bonding. Any advice?

Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD.

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This! ๐Ÿ‘† My cousin did this and got her issue resolved in like a week.

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I hadn't even thought of that. Great idea, thanks!

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I went through the exact same thing with my c-section delivery! Definitely check that your doctor submitted form DE 2501 with the correct delivery method marked as "cesarean section." Sometimes they accidentally mark it as vaginal delivery which only qualifies for 6 weeks instead of 8. Also, make sure your claim start date is actually the day you delivered, not when you went on leave beforehand. I had to submit additional documentation from my OB to get those extra 2 weeks retroactively paid. It took about 3 weeks to process once I got the right paperwork in. Don't give up - you're entitled to those 8 weeks! ๐Ÿ’ช

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Can I qualify for EDD unemployment after SDI if my job relocated 21+ miles away?

Hi everyone! I'm currently on SDI and my benefits expire in about 3 weeks. While I was out on disability (for stress & anxiety disorder), my company moved their location from 8 miles away from my home to almost 22 miles away in heavy traffic. I know there are rules about "suitable work" and reasonable commute distances for unemployment eligibility, but I'm not sure how it applies to my situation. My anxiety gets significantly worse with long commutes in traffic, which is actually part of what my doctor documented. Would I qualify for unemployment benefits when my disability ends, or would EDD consider this job "suitable work" despite the much longer commute? Has anyone successfully claimed unemployment in a similar situation? I really can't handle that commute with my condition but need financial support during my job search.

did anyone else notice that the SDI to UI transition got way harder after covid? my brother tried this in 2023 and they made him jump thru like 50 hoops to prove he couldnt go back to his old job after disability. the whole system is designed to deny people i swear

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YES!! The EDD scrutiny is off the charts since 2022!! They're looking for ANY reason to deny claims because of all the fraud during COVID. I had to appeal TWICE to get my benefits after transitioning from disability to unemployment last year. They're particularly suspicious of anxiety/mental health claims too - make sure EVERYTHING is documented perfectly!!

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Based on the information you've provided, you likely have valid grounds for UI eligibility after your SDI benefits expire. California law recognizes that a significant change in commute can constitute "good cause" for refusing work, especially when combined with a documented medical condition. Here's the process you should follow: 1. Request a letter from your treating physician specifically addressing: - Your anxiety diagnosis - How a 22-mile commute in traffic would affect your condition - That you are able to work in general, but with commute limitations 2. Send a formal letter to your employer explaining that due to your documented medical condition, you cannot accept the position at the new location. Request written confirmation of the relocation's distance. 3. When filing for UI, select "job was no longer suitable" as your reason for separation. 4. During your EDD interview, emphasize that: - You are able and available for suitable work - The job materially changed when it relocated - The new commute would exacerbate your documented medical condition The key regulatory standard is whether the new position represents a "material change" from your original employment agreement. A 13-mile increase in commute distance generally meets this threshold, particularly when combined with medical considerations.

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Thank you so much for these detailed steps! This gives me a clear action plan. I'm going to call my doctor today to request that documentation and start drafting the letter to my employer. One question - should I wait until my SDI is about to expire before sending the formal letter to my employer, or should I do it now to get ahead of the process?

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I'd recommend sending the letter to your employer sooner rather than later - maybe 1-2 weeks before your SDI expires. This gives you time to handle any back-and-forth communication and ensures you have their written response before you need to file for UI. Plus, if there are any complications or they try to offer accommodations, you'll have time to work through those issues. The worst thing would be having a gap in benefits because you're waiting for employer documentation after your SDI already ended.

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Transitioning from SDI to Paid Family Leave - when to apply and duration questions

I'm currently receiving State Disability Insurance benefits for a surgery I had back in January. My doctor originally certified me for 12 weeks, and I'll be medically cleared to return to work in April. However, I need to take care of my father who just had a stroke and will need assistance for several months. I know there's Paid Family Leave, but I'm totally confused about the application process. Do I need to wait until my disability benefits end before applying for PFL? Can I apply for PFL ahead of time so there's no gap in payments? And how long can I receive PFL benefits for caregiving? My SDI weekly benefit amount is $1,240 if that matters for the PFL calculation. Thanks for any help!

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Just remember to select 'Paid Family Leave' and then 'Care for a family member' when you start the new claim. And keep a copy of everything you submit, just in case there are any questions later. Best of luck with your father's recovery!

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Just went through this exact transition myself a few months ago! One tip that really helped me - when you're getting your dad's doctor to fill out the DE 2501F form, ask them to be as specific as possible about his care needs and the expected duration. The more detailed they are about why he needs assistance (mobility, medication management, etc.), the smoother your approval process will be. Also, don't forget that as the caregiver, you'll need to certify every two weeks that you're still providing care, just like you do with SDI. The good news is the certification process is pretty straightforward through the same online portal. Hope your dad's recovery goes well!

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EDD: Checked wrong box on continued certification form. How to fix?

I messed up and checked the wrong box on my continued certification form. Has anyone else done this? What should I do to fix it?

Quick question - how long ago did you submit the form? If it's within 14 days, you might have an easier time getting it corrected.

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It was just yesterday actually. Does that make a difference?

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Oh that's great news! Yeah, the sooner you catch these things, the easier they are to fix. Definitely try to get through to them ASAP!

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I had a similar issue a few months ago! Don't panic - it's more common than you think. Here's what worked for me: I sent a message through the UI Online portal explaining exactly what happened and what the correct answer should have been. Include your certification date and which question you answered incorrectly. It took about a week, but they corrected it without any issues. Also, screenshot everything for your records. The key is being proactive and honest about the mistake. They deal with these mix-ups all the time, so they have processes in place to fix them.

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