Confused about EDD SDI maternity benefits - does payment continue until maximum benefit amount is reached?

It stops aftr the standard weeks. U only get the 6 weeks (or 8 if c section) for disability + the 8 weeks of PFL. That max benefit amount is just the max they would give u for ur entire benefit year if u had multiple disabilitys. I had same question when I had my baby last yr!

The previous response isn't entirely accurate. Your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is for your entire benefit year, which is 12 months from when your claim begins. You're eligible for up to 52 weeks of disability benefits, BUT this is only if your doctor certifies you're unable to work that long. For pregnancy/childbirth, standard medical certification is 4 weeks before delivery and 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type), so that's all you'd typically get for SDI. Then, you can transition to PFL for 8 weeks of bonding time. The remaining balance in your MBA would only be available if you had another qualifying disability within that same benefit year. The MBA doesn't mean you automatically get all that money - it's just the maximum available IF you remain eligible for the full period. Hope this helps clarify things!

@KarenS - Yes, absolutely! If you experience pregnancy complications, postpartum depression, or any other medical condition that prevents you from working, your doctor can certify you for additional disability time beyond the standard 6-8 weeks. The key is proper medical certification. In that case, you would continue receiving benefits at your weekly rate until either: 1) Your doctor releases you to return to work, 2) You exhaust your Maximum Benefit Amount, or 3) You reach the 52-week maximum benefit period. Just make sure your healthcare provider submits the proper documentation to EDD.

I went through this last year and the EDD website is SO confusing on this topic. Let me share what happened in my case. I was approved for $1,250/week with a max benefit amount of $31,250. I took 4 weeks before birth (disability), then 8 weeks after my C-section (disability), then 8 weeks PFL. Total of 20 weeks paid leave. After that, my benefits stopped automatically - I didn't use my full maximum benefit amount. The catch is that if I had another qualifying disability within my benefit year, I could have filed another claim and used the remaining funds. For example, if I needed surgery or had a serious illness that prevented me from working, I could have received benefits until hitting that maximum amount. Honestly, trying to reach EDD to get clear answers was IMPOSSIBLE. I spent days calling and getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD representative in about 20 minutes instead of spending days calling. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. The rep explained everything clearly and helped me understand my specific situation.

Yes, it worked great for me! I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days. Got connected to a rep who answered all my questions about my maternity benefits. Way better than the endless calling and getting hung up on.

To answer your question about payment timing: Once your disability claim is approved and you've served the 7-day waiting period, payments are usually processed every two weeks. The first payment typically arrives 2-3 weeks after your claim start date (accounting for the waiting period and processing time). Subsequent payments come every two weeks after certification. For the transition from SDI to PFL, there can sometimes be a 1-2 week gap while they process the change. Make sure you apply for PFL immediately after your disability coverage ends to minimize any payment gaps. With the EDD debit card system, once payments are approved, funds are available immediately on your card. If you opt for direct deposit, it takes 1-2 business days for funds to reach your bank account after approval.

i think evry1 here is making this WAY MORE COMPLICATED than it needs 2 be lol. u get paid for exactly the # of weeks ur doctor says u cant work. thats it. the max benefit is just some dumb calculation thing. for preg its usually just 4 wks b4 + 6-8 wks after + 8 wks bonding time. dont overthink it!!!!

As someone who just went through this process 6 months ago, I can confirm what others have said - you'll get the standard weeks (6-8 for disability + 8 for PFL), not the full maximum benefit amount. I had the same confusion when I saw my $26,000+ max benefit amount but only used about $16,000 of it during my maternity leave. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: make sure to keep ALL your medical documentation organized! When I transitioned from SDI to PFL, there was a small hiccup because they needed additional paperwork, which delayed my first PFL payment by about a week. Also, definitely apply for PFL as soon as your disability period ends - don't wait! The payments do come pretty regularly once you're in the system though. I used the EDD debit card and it was convenient for tracking everything. Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations! 💕

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through this 2 years ago! The confusion about the Maximum Benefit Amount is totally understandable - I remember staring at that number thinking I'd hit the lottery, lol. But as others have confirmed, you only get paid for the weeks your doctor certifies you as disabled, plus the 8 weeks of PFL bonding time. One tip that saved me stress: start the PFL application process about 2 weeks BEFORE your disability period ends. I know others mentioned applying "immediately after" but I found starting the paperwork early helped avoid any payment gaps. The transition can be smoother if EDD has time to review everything. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - your doctor's notes, all forms you submit, confirmation numbers, etc. I had to resubmit paperwork twice because things got "lost in the system." Having organized copies made it much easier to resend quickly. Your weekly benefit amount is great though! That should give you good financial support during those precious early weeks with your baby. Wishing you a smooth pregnancy and delivery! 🍼

I'm currently navigating this same situation as a first-time mom and found this thread so helpful! Just wanted to add that I called EDD directly last week and the representative confirmed what everyone here is saying - the Maximum Benefit Amount is NOT what you'll receive for maternity leave. It's the total amount available for your entire benefit year if you have multiple qualifying disabilities. For standard pregnancy/childbirth, you get exactly what your doctor certifies: typically 4 weeks before delivery + 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type) for disability, then you can apply for 8 weeks of PFL for bonding. That's it - usually 18-20 weeks total. The rep also emphasized that the key is proper medical certification from your doctor. They need to specifically state the dates you're unable to work due to your condition. Without that certification, benefits can be denied or cut short. One more thing - if you're planning to take any vacation time or unpaid leave beyond the paid benefits, make sure to coordinate with your HR department about how that affects your job protection under FMLA. The paid benefits and job protection are separate things! Hope this helps clarify things even more. Pregnancy paperwork is overwhelming enough without EDD confusion! 😅