Can I switch from UI to SDI at 36 weeks pregnant? Need transition help!

u cant colect both at same time for sure. I think u just apply for SDI then stop UI but not 100% sure. My friend did this last year but she started with sdi then went to UI after baby

You need to STOP certifying for UI before you submit your SDI application. The systems don't automatically communicate with each other, and you definitely don't want to be receiving both simultaneously (that would be considered fraud). Here's what you should do: 1. Decide on your exact SDI start date (typically when your doctor confirms you should stop working) 2. Complete your final UI certification up until the day before your SDI start date 3. Submit your SDI application with your doctor's certification 4. Don't certify for UI anymore once your SDI claim begins Make sure you keep documentation of your last UI payment and your first SDI payment to prove there was no overlap if questions ever arise.

I did this EXACT thing last year! It's actually really simple but the EDD websites make everything so confusing. You literally just stop certifying for UI and then apply for SDI. The systems DON'T talk to each other so YOU have to make sure there's no overlap in dates. My last UI certification ended on a Saturday and I started my SDI claim on Sunday. Make sure you write down all your dates because pregnancy brain is REAL lol.

For the PFL transition, it was pretty smooth! Since you're already in the SDI system, they actually prompt you about filing for PFL as your pregnancy disability ends. I got a notice about 2 weeks before my pregnancy disability was set to end asking if I wanted to transition to PFL. Just make sure all your dates are correct - my disability was for 4 weeks before birth and 6 weeks after (vaginal delivery). Then PFL started immediately after that. The most annoying part was making sure my doctor filled out all the forms correctly!

BE CAREFUL! I did this transition in 2023 and accidentally had a 3-day overlap where I certified for UI and had already started SDI. EDD flagged my account and I had to repay the UI portion and had my benefits suspended while they investigated! Make sure there is ZERO overlap in your benefit dates!!

It took almost 4 weeks for them to resolve everything, which was a nightmare because I was hugely pregnant and stressed about money! They eventually determined it was an honest mistake and reinstated my benefits, but I still had to repay the overlapping days.

I help clients navigate EDD transitions regularly, and this UI to SDI switch is actually quite common for pregnant women. The others are correct about stopping UI certifications before starting SDI, but there's another detail: make sure you're eligible for SDI by checking that you've paid into State Disability Insurance (look for "CASDI" on your pay stubs from current/recent employment). Also, when you're completing the DE 2501 form for pregnancy disability, your doctor needs to be specific about why you can't perform your regular or customary work at 36 weeks. "Pregnancy" alone isn't sufficient - they need to document specific medical restrictions. For the actual transition: stop UI the day before SDI begins, and make sure your doctor's certification date matches your SDI claim start date exactly.

Your OB should document specific physical limitations related to your pregnancy that prevent you from performing your regular work. For example: standing restrictions, lifting restrictions, fatigue requiring frequent breaks, pelvic pressure/pain, risk of preterm labor due to job demands, etc. The more specifically these are tied to your actual job duties, the better. For instance, if your job requires standing for long periods, make sure that's specifically mentioned as a limitation.

Has anyone else been COMPLETELY UNABLE to reach EDD when you have questions about this stuff?? I've been trying to call about my own benefit transition for TWO WEEKS and either get disconnected immediately or stuck on hold for hours only to get hung up on! How are we supposed to get answers when it's impossible to talk to a human?!

I had the exact same problem trying to reach EDD about my SDI claim. After getting hung up on for days, I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual EDD representative in about 20 minutes. It was totally worth it for me since I needed answers about my maternity transition. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd or check out claimyr.com. They basically call EDD for you and connect you when they get through to a rep.

I think everyone's covered the main points, but I wanted to add: make sure you save copies of EVERYTHING. Screenshots of your last UI certification, your SDI application confirmation, doctor's notes, etc. I had an issue with my claim last year where they claimed they never received my doctor's certification (even though I had confirmation it was submitted). Having my own copies of everything saved me weeks of stress. Also, your UI weekly amount and SDI amount will likely be different since they're calculated differently. The SDI is usually about 60-70% of your wages, calculated differently than UI. Just be prepared for a potential change in your benefit amount!