Can I pause Workers Comp to get SDI/PFL after having a baby? Need advice on EDD process
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a situation and could use some advice. I've been on workers comp since early December due to a work injury. Now, I just had a baby and want to apply for SDI for 8 weeks. My lawyer says I should be able to pause my WC claim and switch to disability and maternity leave. Has anyone been through this before? I'm not sure if I can actually do this or what steps I need to take. I made an EDD account but haven't applied for anything yet. Any help would be appreciated!
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Isabella Ferreira
Congrats on the baby! š I went through something similar last year. Here's what I learned: ā¢ Yes, you can pause WC and switch to SDI/PFL ā¢ You'll need to inform your WC claims adjuster ā¢ Apply for SDI online through EDD ā¢ Get a doctor's note confirming your pregnancy/birth ā¢ Be prepared for some paperwork and possible delays Make sure to keep all your documents organized. The transition can be a bit tricky, but it's doable. Good luck!
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Malik Johnson
AuthorThank you so much for the detailed response! This is really helpful. Did you have any issues with the timing of pausing WC and starting SDI? I'm worried about a gap in benefits.
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Isabella Ferreira
There was a small gap for me, about a week. Make sure you communicate clearly with both WC and EDD about your dates. It helps to have everything in writing!
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Ravi Sharma
bump for visibility. this is great info!
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Freya Thomsen
ugh, the system is so broken. why do we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic support? š¤¦āāļø good luck OP, youre gonna need it
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Omar Zaki
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at EDD. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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AstroAce
Sounds like a scam. Why would you pay to call a government agency? š¤
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Omar Zaki
Not a scam, I promise! It saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny imo
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Chloe Martin
How long did it take to get through? I've been trying to reach EDD for weeks!
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Omar Zaki
It took about 45 minutes for me. Way better than the 3+ hours I spent trying on my own before!
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Diego Rojas
I'm in the same boat as you! Currently 7 months pregnant and on WC. My doctor advised me to switch to SDI around 36 weeks. Definitely talk to your WC adjuster ASAP to coordinate the switch.
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Malik Johnson
AuthorThanks for sharing! It's good to know I'm not alone in this. Have you started the process yet?
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Diego Rojas
Not yet, but I'm gathering all the necessary docs. It's a bit overwhelming tbh š
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Anastasia Sokolov
pro tip: keep a log of every convo u have with WC and EDD. dates, names, what was said. itll save ur butt if theres any confusion later
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Sean O'Donnell
Has anyone here successfully transitioned from WC to SDI and then to PFL? I'm curious about the timeline and if there were any hiccups along the way.
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Zara Ahmed
I did it last year. Took about 2 weeks to get everything sorted. The key is to start the process early and follow up regularly. Don't assume they're processing your stuff!
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Sean O'Donnell
2 weeks isn't bad at all! Did you have any issues with backdating or gaps in payment?
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Zara Ahmed
Nah, it was pretty smooth sailing. Just make sure your dates are clear on all your paperwork. And don't be afraid to bug them if somethings not right!
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StarStrider
idk about the legal stuff, but congrats on the baby! šš¶ hope everything works out for you
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Adrian Hughes
I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: 1. Contact your WC adjuster FIRST - tell them you need to pause for maternity leave 2. Get a letter from your OB stating your due date and that you're medically able to work (for SDI eligibility) 3. Apply for SDI online through EDD about 1-2 weeks before you want benefits to start 4. Keep your WC case open but "paused" - don't close it completely The timing is crucial - I had about a 5-day gap between my last WC payment and first SDI payment, but that's pretty normal. After your 8 weeks of SDI, you can apply for PFL if you want bonding time. One heads up: EDD moves slow, so apply early and follow up weekly. Document everything! Feel free to DM me if you need more specific help navigating the process.
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