Can pregnant newcomer to CA with high-risk pregnancy qualify for EDD SDI without CA work history?

Unfortunately, CA SDI benefits do require that you've paid into the system through CA employment during the base period. The base period is typically 5-18 months before your claim begins. Without any California work history in the past 4 years, she wouldn't qualify for regular SDI pregnancy disability. However, she might want to look into these options: 1. Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women (covers medical care) 2. CalWORKs if her household income qualifies 3. Check if her Nevada employer had any temporary disability insurance that might still cover her 4. See if she's eligible for SSI based on her mental health conditions I'd recommend having her contact her county's social services office ASAP to see what she might qualify for.

my cousin moved here from arizona while pregnant last year and got medi-cal right away, no waiting period. its seperate from disability but at least covers all the medical stuff. good luck!

Has she checked if Nevada has a state disability program she might still qualify for?? Sometimes you can still collect from your previous state even after moving!! I know California's SDI is better than most states but worth looking into Nevada's options!!

I work for a nonprofit that helps pregnant women in crisis situations. While SDI won't be an option without CA work history, there are several community resources that might help: 1. Many counties have pregnancy support programs through local hospitals and community centers 2. The WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) provides nutritional support and doesn't have state residency duration requirements 3. For mental health concerns, many counties offer sliding-scale services to residents regardless of insurance status 4. Some nonprofit organizations offer temporary financial assistance for high-risk pregnancies What county in California is she living in? I might be able to suggest some specific resources.

For Riverside County, here are some specific resources: 1. DPSS (Department of Public Social Services) - they handle Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and CalFresh applications. Their main number is 877-410-8827 2. Sweet Success Program through Riverside University Health System - specializes in high-risk pregnancy care and can connect her with resources 3. Riverside County 211 - dial 211 for referrals to financial assistance programs 4. Inspire Life Center in Riverside - offers support for pregnant women including some financial assistance programs 5. RUHS Behavioral Health - for mental health services, call 800-706-7500 Given her high-risk status, her doctor should also be able to help get expedited services.

I moved to CA when I was 6 months pregnant and had the EXACT SAME ISSUE with SDI!!! So frustrating!!! The system is completely broken! I ended up having to live on credit cards for 3 months because there was literally NO HELP available unless you've already been working here. It's like they expect pregnant women to just magically not need money!

Wait has she tried calling EDD directly about this? Sometimes there are exceptions they don't advertise on the website. When I had issues with my pregnancy disability claim last year, I spent literally WEEKS trying to get through on the phone before I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD representative in less than 30 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd At least that way she could find out directly from EDD if there are any options rather than assuming she doesn't qualify. Worth a try before going down other routes.

just wondering, did she work remotely for her nevada job? because if any of her work was done while physically in california, even for a day, she might have some california wages to claim.

I'm a benefits counselor, and while your sister won't qualify for SDI without California work history, there's an important detail to consider regarding her mental health conditions. If her anxiety and depression are severe enough to be disabling on their own (separate from the pregnancy), she might qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Unlike state disability, these federal programs don't require recent work in a specific state - they look at overall work history (SSDI) or financial need (SSI). The catch is these programs typically have a 5-month waiting period and a more stringent definition of disability. They require conditions that prevent substantial work and are expected to last at least 12 months. The application process is also lengthier than state disability. A disability attorney could help evaluate if this is a viable option in her situation.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I moved to California while pregnant two years ago. While it's true that SDI requires California work history, I discovered a few additional resources that might help your sister: 1. Emergency assistance programs - Many counties have one-time emergency funds for pregnant women in crisis situations. In Riverside County, try contacting the Community Action Partnership. 2. Food banks and pantries - Organizations like Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino can help stretch the grocery budget while she gets other assistance set up. 3. Utility assistance - If money gets tight, programs like LIHEAP can help with electricity/gas bills during pregnancy. 4. Church and community organizations - Even if she's not religious, many churches in the Inland Empire have benevolence funds specifically for pregnant women and new families. The most important thing is to apply for everything simultaneously rather than waiting. Medi-Cal should be her first priority since it covers all pregnancy-related medical care. I hope things work out for your sister!