Can I get unemployment after my EDD SDI pregnancy benefits run out if I'm still medically unable to return?

This is actually a tricky situation that many people face after extended disability leaves. Here's what you need to know: 1. For unemployment, you generally need to certify that you're able and available for work. Since your doctor is still certifying you as disabled, you wouldn't qualify for regular UI benefits because you can't meet this requirement. 2. You should immediately ask your doctor about extending your disability claim. SDI can sometimes be extended beyond the standard period if your doctor submits the proper medical certification showing continued need. 3. If your employer terminates you while you're still medically disabled, that could potentially violate FMLA (if you're eligible) or possibly the ADA if your condition qualifies as a disability requiring reasonable accommodation. I'd recommend contacting EDD to discuss filing for an SDI extension ASAP. You'll need your doctor to complete a supplemental medical certification (DE 2525XX form) explaining why you need additional disability time beyond the standard period.

my sister was in kinda the same boat last year!!! had a rough pregnancy and couldn't go back after her disability ran out. her work fired her and she DID get unemployment even tho her doctor said she needed more time off!!!! but then edd made her pay it ALL back later because they said she wasn't "able and available" for work when she was collecting. it was a HUGE mess, like $6400 she had to pay back. be SUPER careful!!!!!

I went through something similar and found that requesting an SDI extension is your best option. However, the paperwork can get stuck in EDD's system for weeks unless you can actually speak with someone to expedite it. I wasted 3 weeks calling EDD daily trying to check on my extension paperwork, constantly getting disconnected or waiting on hold forever. Then I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once I got through to a rep, they were able to see that my extension form had been received but was sitting in a backlog. The rep expedited the processing, and my extended benefits started within a few days. Definitely worth looking into because time is critical in your situation.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FAIL US!!!! EDD knows EXACTLY what they're doing with these arbitrary cutoffs! They KNOW people don't magically heal on the exact day benefits run out! This is why we need REAL healthcare reform not this patchwork garbage system where women who just had TWINS are getting threatened with termination because they haven't "healed fast enough" for capitalism!!!! Your employer is legally required to provide reasonable accommodation under ADA. Document EVERYTHING. Record conversations if you're in a one-party consent state. They are COUNTING on you not knowing your rights!!!!!

Yes, the service is legitimate. It helped me when I was desperate to reach EDD about my disability extension. It's a callback service that essentially navigates EDD's phone system and gets you connected to a representative much faster than calling directly. Once connected, you handle the conversation with the EDD rep yourself.

Your employer cant just terminate u for being disabled! Thats discrimination!! You should talk to a lawyer before u even worry about unemployment or anything. If they fire u for needing medical accomodation u could get way more from suing them than from unemployment. My cousin's neighbor got like $50k when her work fired her for needing extra time off after surgery!!!!

Have you looked into State Disability Insurance Extended Benefits? That's different from a regular extension. You need your dr to fill out different paperwork showing you have long-term limited capacity but could possibly work with restrictions. Then you get partial disability while working reduced hours or lighter duties. That's what my doctor suggested when my regular SDI ran out after my back surgery.

The form for SDI extension is the DE 2525XX (Supplemental Medical Certification). Your doctor needs to explain why your disability condition requires additional time beyond the standard period, which is absolutely valid with postpartum complications. Regarding the deadline - ideally, you should submit the extension request before your benefits expire, but EDD will sometimes accept them shortly after expiration if there's medical justification for the continuous disability. Since you're only a week past expiration, you should be able to file for the extension without a gap if your doctor certifies your condition has been continuous. And regarding the partial disability/work option that another commenter mentioned - that program is called Partial Disability Insurance (PDI) and can be an excellent option if you can do some limited work. The form for that is the DE 2525PD (Physician/Practitioner's Supplemental Certificate).

i had twins too congrats!! mine are 3 now. the first year is sooo hard especially with two! my work tried to force me back at 8 weeks which was ridiculous, i could barely walk still from my c-section and was sleeping like 2 hours a night between the two babies. hang in there mama!!