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Can I quit my part-time pharmacy job due to pregnancy pain and still receive EDD SDI benefits?

Hi everyone, I'm in a tough situation and really need some advice. I'm 6 months pregnant and recently started a part-time position as a pharmacy technician after being on unemployment for about 2 months (was laid off from my full-time pharmacy job). The problem is that after just 3 days on this new job, I'm experiencing unbearable pain - both my feet are throbbing from standing all day and my carpal tunnel syndrome has flared up terribly in both hands from all the typing and prescription handling. I literally can't sleep at night from the pain. I'm thinking about quitting and wondering if I should apply for disability instead of going back to unemployment. Does anyone know: 1) If I quit due to pregnancy-related health issues, will I qualify for SDI? 2) Do I need specific documentation from my OB/GYN? 3) Will EDD investigate why I left this job or could it affect my claim? I'm stressed about making the right choice financially while also protecting my health and pregnancy.

QuantumQuest

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You can't get UI if you quit but you might qualify for SDI!!! my sister had this EXACT situation last year. She had terrible back pain from pregnancy + standing all day at her job. Just tell your doctor ASAP!!

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Paolo Rizzo

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Thank you! Did your sister have to officially quit or did she just start SDI while technically still employed? I'm nervous about officially resigning...

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Amina Sy

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This is actually a specific situation where you might qualify for Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) which works with SDI. You'll need your doctor to certify that your pregnancy is causing a disability that prevents you from performing your regular or customary work. Carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy and severe foot pain that prevents standing are legitimate medical conditions that could qualify. Here's what you should do: 1. See your OB/GYN immediately and explain your symptoms in detail 2. Ask them to complete the medical certification form (DE 2501) for SDI 3. You don't technically need to quit - you can be placed on medical leave 4. File for SDI online through SDI Online You won't qualify for UI if you voluntarily quit without good cause, but medical disability related to pregnancy is considered good cause. The key is getting proper medical documentation.

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Paolo Rizzo

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This is incredibly helpful info! I have an appointment with my OB/GYN tomorrow and will bring this up. So if I understand correctly, I should request medical leave rather than quitting outright? Will my employer have to approve this or is it automatic if the doctor certifies my condition?

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There's some confusion in this thread. You need to understand the difference between regular SDI and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL). For your situation: - PDL covers time off when you're disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions - You can take up to 4 months of PDL depending on your condition - PDL is job-protected leave if your employer has 5+ employees - You receive SDI benefits during PDL - You need medical certification showing you're unable to do your normal job duties The carpal tunnel and severe foot pain from standing would likely qualify if your doctor certifies these as pregnancy-related disabilities. Don't quit - instead file for disability while still employed. Your job should be protected under PDL laws if you work for a covered employer. If you quit, you complicate both your SDI claim and lose job protections.

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Paolo Rizzo

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This makes more sense! So PDL is the protected leave status, and SDI is the actual benefit payment? My company does have more than 5 employees, so sounds like I should be covered. Would this be different from the regular 6-8 weeks of maternity leave?

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Exactly! PDL is the job-protected leave status, and SDI provides wage replacement during that time. PDL is separate from the 6-8 weeks of post-birth recovery. You can take PDL any time during pregnancy when you're disabled by pregnancy-related conditions (like your current situation), and then take the regular 6-8 weeks after birth. They're separate entitlements. You could potentially receive SDI benefits for both periods.

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Emma Davis

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I went through something similar but TOTALLY different, I was on UI then got pregnant, but kept looking for work then got really bad morning sickness, but EDD said I wasn't eligible for disability because I wasn't currently employed when I got sick!! So I think you might be in a better position since you actually have a job right now. Just wondering tho, can you maybe ask the pharmacy for accommodations instead of quitting? Like a chair or different position? My cousin did that and it worked out.

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Paolo Rizzo

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Thanks for sharing your experience! I did ask my supervisor about possible accommodations like a stool to sit on between customers, but she said it would be a 'safety hazard' in the small pharmacy space. I could try pushing harder for accommodations, but I'm worried about making waves as a new employee...

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Emma Davis

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That sucks!! They're actually required by law to give pregnant women reasonable accommodations! But I totally get not wanting to cause problems. Sometimes it's not worth the fight especially when you're in pain already.

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GalaxyGlider

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I'm a bit confused about your situation - were you receiving UI benefits, then got a part-time job, and now want to quit the part-time job due to pregnancy complications? If so, you'll need to make sure you properly close your UI claim before applying for SDI. As others have mentioned, you should pursue SDI through your doctor. Your doctor needs to certify that your pregnancy-related conditions (CTS and foot pain) prevent you from performing your regular work duties. This is completely legitimate and exactly what the system is designed for. The waiting period for SDI is 7 days, and benefits are roughly 60-70% of your wages. One key point: make sure your doctor dates your disability correctly on the DE 2501 form and specifically references your current job duties that you cannot perform. This will be critical for your claim approval.

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Paolo Rizzo

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Yes, that's exactly my situation! I was on UI after being laid off, then got this part-time job, but now can't continue due to the pregnancy complications. Thank you for the tip about closing the UI claim first - I wouldn't have thought of that. And I'll make sure my doctor is very specific about the job duties I can't perform on the form.

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im on sdi for my pregnancy right now!!! u dont have to quit just get ur doctor to fill out the form, mine did it at 32 weeks cuz i couldnt stand at my retail job anymore. i think its form DE 2501 but not 100% sure. my benefits kicked in after like 2 weeks and it was sooooo much easier than dealing with UI trust me lol

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Paolo Rizzo

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That's such a relief to hear! I'm at 24 weeks but these symptoms have hit me hard. Did you have to tell your work in advance or did you just give them the doctor's note?

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i just gave them the note!! my manager was actually super nice about it and said to come back after baby if i want. they legally cant fire u for pregnancy stuff anyway so dont worry about that part

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Amina Sy

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I wanted to add one more important point: Your SDI benefits will be based on your highest-earning quarter in your base period. Since you mentioned being laid off recently and only working part-time now, your benefit amount will likely be based on your previous full-time job's wages, not your current part-time position. This is actually good news financially. The current maximum weekly SDI benefit in 2025 is $1,580, though most people receive less based on their income. Just make sure all your wage information is accurate when you file your claim. Also, request your claim to start immediately after your last day worked - don't wait or there could be gaps in your income. The 7-day waiting period is unpaid, but benefits start after that.

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Paolo Rizzo

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Oh that's fantastic news about the benefit calculation! I was worried it would be based on just my part-time hours. Thank you so much for this information - it really helps with my decision.

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THE EDD IS A COMPLETE DISASTER WITH DISABILITY CLAIMS!!!! I had to call FIFTY EIGHT TIMES last month to get someone on the phone about my disability claim that was stuck in pending!!! They make everything IMPOSSIBLE and half the agents don't even know their own rules!!! Make sure you keep COPIES OF EVERYTHING and get your doctor to be SUPER specific about why you can't work. They denied my first claim because the doctor didn't write enough details even though I literally couldn't walk!!!!

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QuantumQuest

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This happened to my cousin too!!! She had to resubmit her doctor's paperwork THREE TIMES because they kept saying it wasn't detailed enough. The whole system is broken!!!

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Paolo Rizzo

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That sounds horrible! I'll definitely make sure my doctor is extremely detailed on the form. Did you eventually get approved after all that trouble?

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Yes I finally got approved but it took almost 6 WEEKS and I had to have my doctor send in additional documentation!! Make sure your doctor specifically lists EXACTLY what job duties you can't do because of your condition. And don't trust what ONE agent tells you - always call back and confirm with someone else because they all say different things!!!

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