Confused about SDI extension payment vs. PFL transition after postpartum recovery

The extension weeks ARE paid as long as your doctor certified them properly, which sounds like they did. That "qualified payment" status confirms it was processed correctly. The remaining balance you see is just the maximum benefit amount you're entitled to during your benefit year - it doesn't mean you'll keep getting payments automatically. And yes, you should apply for PFL starting 2/26/2025. Make sure you don't apply for PFL until AFTER your SDI claim ends to avoid any issues. The two benefits can't overlap, but they should transition smoothly if you time it right.

congrats on the baby! just went through this last month. def apply for PFL the day after ur SDI ends. the leftover $ doesnt matter, they just show u the max amount u could get for the whole year. PFL is a separate thing with its own 8 weeks.

I almost messed this up with my baby in January! The SDI and PFL systems don't talk to each other very well. Make ABSOLUTELY SURE your doctor closes out your disability claim properly before you start PFL. I had a nightmare situation where my doctor extended my disability when I was trying to start PFL and it created this weird overlap that took 7 weeks to resolve!!! I couldn't get anyone on the phone forEVER. Also - the balance showing is just your maximum benefit for your benefit year (which starts with your first day of disability). So yes, you could use that money if you had another disability claim before your benefit year ends, but it doesn't automatically pay out.

When I had this issue last year, I couldn't get through to anyone at EDD for weeks. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd To your question - your doctor can certainly extend your SDI claim if medically necessary, and those weeks are definitely payable. The fact that you received a payment labeled "qualified payment" confirms this. Apply for PFL immediately after your SDI ends (so 2/26) to avoid any gaps. The claims system will verify your SDI has ended before processing the PFL claim.

the EDD system is sooooo confusing!!! i think they do this on purpose to make ppl give up on benefits they deserve. i had my baby in december & had my doc extend my SDI twice bc i had complications. got paid for all of it! then i applied for PFL but did it wrong & had to restart the whole process :( lost a week of benefits just make sure ur doc submits the end date correctly and u apply for PFL right after

Let me clarify a few technical points: 1. Your SDI claim was properly extended by your physician for medical reasons, which is why you received payment. The "qualified payment" status simply means the payment was properly processed. 2. The balance you see is your maximum benefit entitlement for your benefit year (which started with your first day of disability). This is calculated as 52 × your weekly benefit amount, minus what you've already been paid. 3. You should apply for PFL on 2/26/2025, the day after your SDI claim ends. The system will verify there's no overlap. 4. Important: Make sure your doctor has submitted the final certification with the correct end date of 2/25/2025. If they've left it open-ended or with a later date, you'll need to have them update it to avoid conflict with your PFL claim. 5. Your PFL claim will be 8 weeks at the same weekly benefit amount as your SDI claim, but it's a separate benefit pool.

anyone know if u can do PFL part-time? might want to go back to work 2 days a week after my SDI ends

Update: I called my doctor's office and confirmed they submitted the final certification with 2/25/2025 as the end date. Now I just need to make sure I submit my PFL application on 2/26. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great advice about the screenshots! I'd also recommend keeping a copy of your doctor's final certification form if you can get one. When I transitioned from SDI to PFL last year, EDD asked me to verify my SDI end date during the PFL application process, and having that documentation made it super smooth. The transition timing sounds perfect - you're doing everything right by waiting until 2/26 to apply. Congratulations on your baby, and I hope the PFL application goes smoothly for you!