Can I file for EDD SDI after exhausting UI benefits? Pregnancy disability question
I was laid off 6 months ago and have been receiving unemployment benefits since then. I just found out I'm pregnant (unexpected but happy news!) and my doctor is recommending I stop working soon due to some complications. My UI benefits are almost maxed out (only about 2 weeks left). Can I switch from unemployment to disability/paid family leave? I've heard conflicting things about whether you can transition between these benefits. I'm still technically looking for work but my condition is making it impossible now. Do I need to cancel my UI claim first? Will my past wages from before unemployment still count for SDI benefits? Any advice is really appreciated.
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Ellie Lopez
Yes you CAN apply for disability after UI benefits!! I did this last year. The key thing is you cant collect both at the same time. So once your UI runs out completely, then apply for SDI with your doctor's certification. Your base period for SDI will be different than what it was for UI, so your weekly benefit amount might change. Make sure your doctor fills out the medical certification correctly stating when your disability began (should be AFTER your last UI payment).
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Lauren Wood
•Thank you so much! That's a relief. Do you remember if there was any waiting period between your last UI payment and your first disability payment? I'm worried about having a gap with no income.
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Chad Winthrope
Be careful with this! You need to make sure you're honest about when your disability actually started. If your doctor says you became disabled while you were still certifying for UI (where you have to say you're able and available for work), that could cause problems. There's usually a 7-day waiting period for SDI anyway. I would stop certifying for UI as soon as your doctor determines you're disabled.
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Lauren Wood
•I didn't even think about that contradiction. You're right - I've been saying I'm able to work on my UI certifications. I'll talk to my doctor about timing this correctly. Thank you!
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Paige Cantoni
This happened to me during my pregnancy last year! Yes, you can definitely transition from UI to SDI to PFL. Just make sure there's no overlap in the benefits. Once your doctor certifies you can't work, stop certifying for UI immediately and apply for SDI. After you give birth, you can transition to Paid Family Leave for bonding time. The 7-day waiting period for SDI sucks but it's required. Also remember that pregnancy disability can start before delivery (some get approved 4 weeks before due date, more with complications) and can continue 6-8 weeks after birth depending on delivery type.
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Kylo Ren
•i heard they count the base period differently for UI and SDI tho?? so your weekly amount could be way different right??
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Paige Cantoni
•Yes, that's right. SDI uses a different base period calculation than UI. For SDI, they look at a 12-month period that starts about 17 months before your claim and ends about 5 months before your claim. So it might be slightly different wages counted than what they used for your UI claim, which could mean a different weekly benefit amount.
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Nina Fitzgerald
everyone giving different advice here is confusing. just call EDD directly and ask them!!! i spent 4 days calling them about my disability claim and finally got through to someone who could actually help.
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Jason Brewer
•Calling EDD is a nightmare these days. I spent over a week trying to reach someone about my SDI claim. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Much better than spending hours on hold or getting hung up on repeatedly. My situation was similar - needed to know about transitioning between benefits - and the EDD rep was really helpful once I actually got through to someone.
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Kiara Fisherman
I tried to do this and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! EDD kept saying I was committing fraud by saying I was able to work for UI but then disabled for SDI. Make sure you have EXACT dates and documentation from your doctor. The system is designed to make everything as difficult as possible and they will look for ANY reason to deny you! My benefits were delayed for MONTHS and I almost lost my apartment. The whole system is BROKEN.
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Ellie Lopez
•That's not entirely accurate. It's not fraud if your condition genuinely changes - which is exactly what happens in pregnancy with complications. The key is having your doctor clearly document when your disability began and making sure you stop claiming UI from that exact date. Yes, EDD can be difficult, but many people successfully transition between benefits when done correctly.
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Kylo Ren
u need to time it right tho. my friend tried to get SDI right after UI and EDD thought she was trying to double dip so they delayed her claim for like 2 months. make sure theres no overlap!!!! also when u do pregnancy disability u get the 4 weeks before birth and then after u can get the 6 or 8 weeks after (depends if u had c-section) and THEN u can apply for the paid family leave part for bonding.
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Lauren Wood
•Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure to be very clear about the dates. I didn't realize pregnancy disability could start 4 weeks before birth - that's good to know since I'm having complications.
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Chad Winthrope
To properly transition from UI to SDI, follow these steps: 1. Have your doctor complete the medical certification (DE 2501) with a specific date when your disability began 2. Stop certifying for UI as of that exact date 3. Apply for SDI immediately after your disability begins 4. Be prepared for the 7-day unpaid waiting period for SDI 5. Keep all documentation showing when your UI ended and disability began For pregnant women, SDI typically covers up to 4 weeks before your due date (more with complications) and 6-8 weeks after birth. Then you can transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding time. PFL doesn't have a waiting period if it follows SDI.
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Lauren Wood
•This is extremely helpful - thank you for breaking it down into clear steps! I'll work with my doctor to get the timing right.
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Paige Cantoni
One more important thing: make sure your doctor understands how to properly complete the medical certification form. Some doctors don't fill these out regularly and might put incorrect information. The specific date they list as the beginning of your disability is CRUCIAL. If you're planning to apply for SDI after your UI ends, make sure they put a date that's after your last UI payment. Also, your weekly benefit amount might be slightly different between UI and SDI because they use different calculation periods.
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Ellie Lopez
•This is such an important point! When I did this transition, my doctor initially put a disability start date that overlapped with my UI benefits. I had to get them to correct it because the EDD flagged it immediately. The doctor may not realize how important the exact date is for benefit purposes.
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