Can new employee qualify for SDI after only 2 months? Alternative Base Period question

Thanks for explaining! So if they've only worked since May 15, do you think they'd meet that $300 minimum? They make about $4,200/month, so they would have earned around $6,300 with us before needing to take time off in July. But would the ABP actually count those months, or am I misunderstanding how it works?

I had to deal with this EXACT situation last year when I switched jobs and then broke my ankle just two months later. The EDD rep told me that YES, Alternative Base Period absolutely applies to SDI claims too, not just unemployment. It saved me because I wouldn't have qualified under the regular base period. Your employee should definitely apply!

Actually, the 7-day waiting period for PFL was eliminated in 2021! There's no waiting period for PFL claims now, which is great news for the employee. However, you're right about the processing time - it can still take 2-3 weeks for EDD to review and approve a claim. One other thing to consider is that for PFL, they'll need a medical certification from the family member's doctor confirming the need for care. They should start gathering that documentation ASAP.

Does this Claimyr thing really work? I spent LITERALLY 6 HOURS on hold last month trying to fix an issue with my disability claim. Six. Hours. And then got disconnected! I almost threw my phone out the window.

Yep, it saved my sanity. I was ready to give up after calling for 3 days straight with no luck. The service connected me to an actual EDD rep who fixed my ABP issue in one call.

For PFL claims filed in 2025, they'll receive approximately 60-70% of their weekly wages, up to a maximum weekly benefit amount of $1,565. The exact percentage depends on their income level - lower-income workers get a higher percentage. Since they're earning about $4,200/month, they'd likely receive around 60% of their weekly wage. There's a calculator on the EDD website where they can estimate their benefit amount: https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/PFL_Calculator/

That's really good to know! I'll make sure they mention the ABP specifically when they apply. I appreciate everyone's help with this. I'll let them know about the PFL option and the resources you've shared.

The employee has been paying into SDI at their previous jobs too, not just at this current one. The ABP just lets them access benefits they've already paid for, even if they recently changed jobs. And they're facing a legitimate family emergency - that's exactly what the system is designed for.

OK fair point, I guess I assumed they never worked before. Still think the system gets abused a lot though.

This is really helpful advice! I'm new to understanding how all these EDD programs work, but it sounds like having all the documentation ready upfront can make a huge difference. Quick question - when you mention wage records from previous employers, does the employee need to gather those themselves, or can the EDD access that information directly? I want to make sure I give them the right guidance about what they need to prepare.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, but it can take time for them to gather all the records. If your employee has recent pay stubs or W-2s from previous jobs, providing those upfront can really speed things up. For the most recent quarter (like May-June 2025 wages from your company), definitely have those pay stubs ready since that's the newest information that might not be fully in the EDD system yet. The employee should also be prepared to provide their Social Security number and dates of employment for any jobs they held during the potential base period. The online application will walk them through what's needed, but having everything organized beforehand makes the process much smoother!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, but it can take time for them to retrieve and verify this data. To speed up the process, it's often helpful for the employee to have their own documentation ready - things like pay stubs, W-2s, or a wage statement from previous employers. If they don't have records from a previous job, the EDD will still process the claim, but it might take longer while they verify the wages. Since they're dealing with a family emergency, having as much documentation as possible upfront will help get benefits flowing faster. Also worth noting - make sure they keep detailed records of any wages they earn while on PFL, as they'll need to report this when they certify for benefits.

Great question! The EDD can usually access wage information directly from employers through their system, but it can take time and sometimes there are delays or missing records. I'd recommend your employee gather their own documentation as backup - things like pay stubs, W-2s from previous employers, or even just a list of where they worked with dates and approximate wages. This way if there are any gaps in what EDD finds automatically, they can provide the missing info quickly rather than waiting weeks for the system to sort it out. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around!

The EDD can usually access wage information directly from employers through their system, but it's not always complete or up-to-date, especially for recent employment. I'd recommend your employee gather their own records as backup - things like pay stubs, W-2s, or employment verification letters. This is especially important if they worked for smaller companies that might not report wages as quickly. Having their own documentation ready can really speed things up if there are any discrepancies or missing information in the EDD's records. Better to have it and not need it than to get stuck waiting for the EDD to track down missing wage data!

Great question! The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their systems, but it's not always immediate. When your employee files online, the system will pull what it can automatically, but sometimes there are delays or missing quarters - especially for newer employment. I'd recommend they gather their recent pay stubs from all jobs in the potential base period just in case. Having those ready can help if there are any discrepancies or if the EDD needs additional verification. It's better to be over-prepared than to have the claim delayed while they try to track down documentation later. Also, make sure they keep copies of everything they submit - I learned that the hard way when EDD lost my paperwork the first time around!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, but having your own records can really speed things up! I'd recommend your employee gather their pay stubs or W-2s from previous employers in 2024 and early 2025, just in case there are any discrepancies or delays in the EDD's system accessing that data. When I filed my claim, having everything ready meant I could upload documents immediately when the system asked for them, rather than waiting weeks to track down old pay stubs. Plus, if they worked for any small businesses or contract work that might not have reported wages properly, having their own documentation becomes crucial. The online application will walk them through exactly what they need, but being prepared never hurts when you're dealing with a family emergency and need benefits processed quickly!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so the employee typically doesn't need to gather all the records themselves. However, having recent pay stubs on hand can be really helpful if there are any discrepancies or if the EDD needs clarification on recent earnings that might not be fully updated in their system yet. Since your employee just started in May, I'd recommend they bring their most recent pay stubs from your company when they file, just to make sure those recent wages are properly counted under the Alternative Base Period. The EDD should be able to pull records from any previous employers automatically, but having documentation ready can speed things up if there are any questions. @facf45268409 - thanks for the tip about filing online! That's really good to know that the system will automatically prompt about ABP.

Great question! The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather W-2s or pay stubs from previous jobs themselves. However, it can speed up the process if they have recent pay stubs available, especially from any work in the most recent quarter. The main documents they should focus on gathering are: 1) Medical certification from the parent's doctor/hospital confirming the need for family care, and 2) Their most recent pay stub from your company. The EDD will handle pulling the historical wage data to determine their base period earnings. That said, if they worked for any smaller employers or had any 1099 work in the past year, having those records handy could be helpful since that income might not show up as quickly in the EDD system.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, so your employee typically won't need to gather old pay stubs or W-2s themselves. However, there are a couple of situations where having documentation ready can help: 1. If there's a delay in the EDD accessing records from a previous employer (sometimes happens with smaller companies or if there were reporting issues) 2. If they worked for employers in other states - out-of-state wages might need additional documentation For the most part though, the EDD's system should pull the wage data automatically when processing the ABP. The medical certification for their parent's condition is really the main document they need to focus on getting quickly. If they do run into any issues with wage verification, that's another situation where calling EDD (or using a service like the Claimyr one mentioned earlier) becomes really helpful to get it sorted out fast.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so the employee usually doesn't need to gather those records themselves. However, it can speed things up if they have their own documentation ready - like pay stubs or W-2s from previous jobs - especially if there are any discrepancies or delays in the EDD's system. The most important thing is making sure they mention all their employers during the base period when they file the claim. Sometimes people forget about short-term jobs or temporary work, but every bit of wages can help with qualification and benefit calculation under the ABP. For the medical certification, that's definitely something they need to get themselves though - the EDD won't have access to their parent's medical records.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, but it often takes time for them to gather this data during the claims process. To speed things up, it's helpful if the employee can provide recent pay stubs or wage statements from their previous employers, especially for the most recent quarters that would fall under the ABP. If they don't have documentation from previous employers, the EDD will still process the claim - it just might take longer as they verify earnings. But having pay stubs ready definitely helps move things along faster when someone is dealing with a family emergency and needs benefits ASAP.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather all the records themselves. However, having pay stubs or W-2s handy can help speed things up if there are any discrepancies or if the EDD needs additional verification. The most important thing for them to prepare is the medical certification from the family member's healthcare provider. This needs to clearly state the medical condition requiring care and the duration of care needed. Without this, the PFL claim will be delayed or denied regardless of their wage eligibility. Also, since they're new to your company, make sure your payroll/HR team is prepared to respond quickly if the EDD contacts you for wage verification. Sometimes there can be delays if employers don't respond promptly to EDD requests.

Great question! The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so the employee typically doesn't need to gather wage records themselves. However, it's still a good idea for them to have their pay stubs handy in case there are any discrepancies or delays in processing. The most important documentation they need to focus on gathering is the medical certification from the family member's doctor or hospital. That's the one thing EDD can't get automatically, and it's required for PFL approval. Everything else like wage verification usually gets handled behind the scenes between EDD and the employers. @facf45268409 can probably confirm this from their experience with the ABP process!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their database system, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather W-2s or pay stubs from previous jobs. However, if they worked for smaller companies or had any cash/contract work, having documentation ready can help fill in any gaps. What they should definitely have ready is: - Social Security number - Driver's license or ID - Bank account info for direct deposit - Medical certification from the parent's doctor - Exact dates when they'll need to take time off The EDD's system is pretty good at pulling wage data automatically, but having employment dates and employer information handy can speed things up if there are any questions during the application process.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly wage reports, but it can take longer for them to gather everything, especially if there are multiple employers involved. Your employee can speed things up by bringing their own records - pay stubs, W-2s, or even just a list of previous employers with dates of employment. The online application will ask for employer information, and having accurate details (company names, addresses, dates worked) helps the EDD process the claim faster. They don't necessarily need official wage statements from each employer, but the more complete information they can provide upfront, the smoother the process will be. Since this is a family emergency situation, every day counts, so being prepared with this info can really help expedite their claim.

Great question! The EDD can access wage information directly through their database systems - they get quarterly wage reports from all California employers. However, having your own records can be really helpful as backup, especially if there are any discrepancies or delays in their system. I'd recommend your employee gather basic info like pay stubs from recent jobs, but they shouldn't stress too much about getting official wage statements from every previous employer. The EDD will pull most of what they need automatically when processing the claim. The medical certification from the parent's doctor is definitely the more critical document to focus on getting quickly!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their systems, but having your own records ready can really speed things up if there are any discrepancies or delays. I'd recommend your employee gather their recent pay stubs from previous jobs if they have them, plus any W-2s from the base period years. Sometimes the EDD's wage records aren't updated immediately, especially for very recent employment, so having documentation on hand can help resolve any issues quickly. Better to be over-prepared than to have the claim delayed because of missing wage information!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their quarterly reporting system, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather old pay stubs or W-2s themselves. However, having recent pay stubs from your company ready can help speed things up, especially since you're such a new employer for them. The medical certification is the more critical piece they need to prepare - that has to come from the family member's healthcare provider and can't be accessed any other way. I'd suggest they focus on getting that documentation first since it often takes longer to obtain than wage records.

The EDD can access wage information from employers directly through their systems, but it's not always immediate or complete. I'd recommend your employee gather their pay stubs and W-2s from previous employers just in case. Having this documentation ready can help if there are any discrepancies or if the EDD needs additional verification. Also, since they're new to the workforce or changing jobs frequently, they should make sure all their employers have been reporting wages correctly to the EDD. Sometimes there can be delays in wage reporting that could affect their claim.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their systems, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather all those records themselves. However, having their own documentation (like pay stubs or W-2s) can be helpful if there are any discrepancies or delays in the EDD getting information from previous employers. When they file online, the system will prompt them to enter information about their recent employers, and then EDD will verify the wages directly. But if they have pay stubs handy, it can help them fill out the application more accurately with exact dates and amounts. The medical certification for the family member is really the key document they need to focus on getting quickly - that's the one thing EDD can't get from anywhere else!

The EDD can access most wage information directly through their system since employers report quarterly wages, but having your own records as backup is always smart! Your employee should definitely keep their recent paystubs and any W-2s from previous employers handy. Sometimes there can be delays in the EDD's wage database, especially for very recent quarters, so having documentation can help if there are any discrepancies or if they need to verify their earnings during the application process.

The EDD can access wage information from employers who report through their system, but it's not always immediate or complete. Your employee should gather their own pay stubs and W-2s from previous employers as backup documentation, especially if they worked for smaller companies or had any gaps in employment. This can really speed up the process if there are any discrepancies or missing wage records in the EDD's system. Better to have it ready than wait weeks for the EDD to track down missing information!

The EDD can access wage information from employers who report to them (most employers do through quarterly wage reports), but it's not always immediate or complete. Having the employee gather their own wage records - like pay stubs or W-2s - can really speed things up, especially if there are any discrepancies or if a previous employer was slow to report wages. For the ABP specifically, they'll want documentation covering the entire potential base period (April 2024-March 2025, plus April-June 2025). Even if the EDD has some wage data, having complete records helps ensure they get the maximum benefit amount they're entitled to.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so your employee typically doesn't need to gather wage records themselves. However, having pay stubs or W-2s handy can be helpful if there are any discrepancies or if the EDD needs clarification on earnings from a specific period. The most important documentation they need to focus on gathering is the medical certification for the family member - that's what they can't get from their system and will definitely need to provide. Everything else (wage records, employment dates) the EDD can usually pull automatically when processing the claim. Your employee should still be prepared to provide basic employment information like company names, addresses, and approximate dates of employment for any jobs in their base period, but they don't need to chase down actual wage statements.

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their system, so the employee typically doesn't need to gather pay stubs or W-2s themselves. However, it can help speed things up if they have recent pay stubs handy, especially from any jobs they held in the last few months. Sometimes there's a delay in wage reporting, so having documentation can help verify their earnings if needed. The EDD will also send forms to previous employers to verify employment and wages, but having the employee provide basic info about where they worked and when can help the process move faster.

Good question! The EDD can access wage information directly through their system since employers report quarterly wages, but it's not always immediate or complete. I'd recommend your employee gather their own records as backup - things like paystubs, W-2s, or employment verification letters. This is especially important if they had any recent job changes or worked for smaller employers who might have delays in reporting. Having their own documentation ready can help speed up the process if there are any discrepancies or missing wage information in the EDD's system. It's better to be over-prepared than to have the claim delayed while waiting for wage verification!

The EDD can access wage information directly from employers through their systems, but it's not always immediate or complete. Having recent pay stubs or a wage statement from HR can help speed things up, especially if there are any discrepancies or if the employer hasn't reported wages yet. For the Alternative Base Period specifically, since it includes more recent quarters, there's sometimes a delay in the EDD's system reflecting the most current wage data. So having documentation ready (like the last few pay stubs from each job in the base period) can prevent delays in processing the claim. Your employee should definitely still apply even if they don't have everything perfectly organized - they can submit additional documentation later if the EDD requests it. The important thing is getting the claim filed as soon as they know they'll need the time off.