EDD SDI denied my pregnancy disability claim at 29 weeks - can I appeal or reapply at 36 weeks?

Your doctor needs to be more clear on the form. Had same issue with my pregnancy claim. They need to specifically state WHY you can't work your job with your condition, not just list restrictions. Appeal it and ask doctor to rewrite the certification with stronger language.

Based on my experience with EDD SDI pregnancy claims, you have two solid options: 1. Appeal with better medical documentation - Your doctor needs to explicitly state that your pregnancy symptoms (be specific - back pain, dizziness, etc.) make you unable to perform your specific job duties. The key is connecting your pregnancy symptoms directly to your job functions. 2. Wait and file at 36 weeks - This is often easier as EDD typically approves pregnancy disability claims automatically at 36 weeks without much pushback. As for unemployment - technically you can't collect UI while unable to work, so that's tricky. If you feel capable of some types of work but not your specific occupation, there's a gray area there. The fastest solution might be getting your doctor to complete a more detailed certification immediately and requesting an expedited appeal given how far along you are.

nope ur wasting ur time with appeal process. just wait till 36wks, thats when they automatically approve for pregnancy. then u get 4wks before due date and 6-8wks after. thats what my cousin did when she got denied early.

I work for an OB office and help patients with their disability forms all the time. The denial you received is common for pregnancy claims before 36 weeks. The problem is that your doctor's note didn't connect specific pregnancy symptoms to your specific job duties in a way that convinced EDD you couldn't work. Here's what I recommend: 1. Contact your doctor immediately and request an updated medical certification that explicitly states: - Your specific pregnancy symptoms (pelvic pain, fatigue, dizziness, etc.) - Why these symptoms make your specific job duties unsafe/impossible - Include measurements like "cannot stand more than X hours" or "cannot lift more than X pounds" 2. File an appeal AND submit a new claim with the updated certification (dual approach) 3. In your appeal letter, include photos or job descriptions of your work to show how physically demanding it is The 36-week rule is a fallback, but with proper documentation, you absolutely can get approved earlier when your job is physically demanding like yours.

Just wanted to say I'm going through the EXACT same situation but I'm a warehouse worker! Got denied at 30 weeks even though I literally can't do my job (lifting 50lb boxes all day). Called EDD 46 TIMES and couldn't get through to ask about appealing. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD disability agent in 20 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent explained that the doctor needs to use very specific language about why I CANNOT work (not just restrictions). She said filing a new claim with better documentation would be faster than appealing. Good luck!

THE EDD SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN FOR PREGNANT WOMEN!!! I got denied THREE TIMES before 36 weeks even though I had SEVERE sciatica and couldn't even walk!! They don't care about women's health AT ALL!! They just have these arbitrary rules about pregnancy and don't look at individual cases!!! The appeals process takes FOREVER and by the time they review it you'll be at 36 weeks anyway. The whole system is GARBAGE!!! 😡😡😡

Quick update on the unemployment question - technically you cannot collect unemployment while medically unable to work, as UI requires you to certify you're able and available for work. If you go back on UI, you'd be certifying you CAN work, which contradicts your disability claim assertion that you CANNOT work. This could potentially create problems with both benefits systems. However, if you genuinely feel you could perform some types of work (like remote administrative work) but not your specific occupation, you could potentially qualify for UI while seeking suitable alternative employment. Just be completely honest in your certifications.

I just pulled up the exact regulations on this. For pregnancy disability before 36 weeks, EDD requires: 1. Documentation of a pregnancy-related medical condition that prevents you from performing your regular or customary work 2. The condition must be specifically described (not just "pregnancy") - examples include severe nausea, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes with complications, severe back pain, etc. 3. Your doctor must explicitly state you CANNOT perform your regular duties (not just that you have restrictions) At exactly 36 weeks (four weeks before your estimated delivery date), you automatically qualify regardless of complications. I recommend getting an updated certification form completed (DE 2501) with this specific language and filing a new claim rather than just appealing. The new claim processing is often faster than appeals.

I went through something very similar last year! I'm a stagehand and got denied at 28 weeks even though I literally couldn't safely work with rigging and heavy equipment anymore. Here's what worked for me: Don't wait for the appeal - it takes forever. Instead, go back to your OB IMMEDIATELY and ask them to fill out a brand new DE 2501 form with these exact words: "Patient CANNOT perform regular or customary work due to pregnancy-related complications including [list specific symptoms like pelvic girdle pain, severe fatigue, balance issues, etc.]" The key is your doctor needs to explicitly connect your pregnancy symptoms to why your specific job duties are unsafe/impossible. In my case, my OB wrote that my pregnancy-related dizziness and balance issues made it unsafe for me to work at heights or operate equipment. Then file a completely new claim with the updated medical certification - don't just submit it as part of an appeal. The new claim processing is way faster. Also document everything about your job duties - take photos if possible showing the physical demands. EDD needs to understand that "production assistant" in film isn't just sitting at a desk. You've got this! The system is frustrating but with the right medical language you can absolutely get approved before 36 weeks.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I'm 31 weeks and work as a construction site supervisor - got denied last week for the same reason about my medical cert not establishing I couldn't do my regular work. After reading all these responses, I'm convinced the key is getting your doctor to use VERY specific language. I just scheduled an appointment with my OB for tomorrow to get a new DE 2501 form filled out with the exact wording everyone mentioned: "Patient CANNOT perform regular or customary work due to pregnancy-related condition of [specific symptoms]." For your film industry work, I'd emphasize the safety risks - pregnancy affects balance, increases fatigue, and makes you more prone to injury. Your doctor should connect those symptoms directly to why climbing ladders and carrying equipment is unsafe. One thing I learned from calling EDD (finally got through after 2 weeks of trying) is that filing a brand new claim with better documentation is almost always faster than appealing. The appeals process can take 6-8 weeks, but a new claim with proper medical cert usually gets processed in 2-3 weeks. Hang in there - we've got this! The system is frustrating but it sounds like with the right approach you can definitely get approved before having to wait until 36 weeks.

I'm a freelance cinematographer and went through this exact same denial situation at 30 weeks! The problem is that EDD doesn't understand how physically demanding film industry work really is - they see "production assistant" and think it's office work. Here's what finally worked for me: I had my OB fill out a completely new DE 2501 form (don't just amend the old one) with these key phrases: 1. "Patient CANNOT perform regular or customary work due to pregnancy-related conditions including severe lower back pain, pelvic instability, and balance issues" 2. Listed specific job restrictions: "Cannot lift more than 10 lbs, cannot stand for more than 2 hours, cannot work at heights due to balance impairment" 3. Connected symptoms to job safety: "These limitations make patient unable to safely perform duties requiring equipment transport, ladder work, and extended standing required in film production" I also included a detailed job description with photos showing me carrying camera gear, working on scaffolding, etc. to help EDD understand what "production assistant" actually entails. Filed the new claim (not an appeal) and got approved in exactly 18 days! Don't wait until 36 weeks - with proper documentation highlighting the safety risks, you can absolutely get approved now. The key is making EDD understand that your job isn't compatible with pregnancy limitations, not just that you have some restrictions.

I'm a freelance camera operator and just went through this exact same situation! Got denied at 28 weeks but successfully got approved on my second try. Here's what I learned: The magic is in the medical language. Your OB needs to write "Patient is UNABLE to perform regular work duties due to pregnancy-related complications" - not just restrictions. For film work specifically, have them mention: - Balance issues from pregnancy make ladder/scaffolding work unsafe - Fatigue and dizziness create safety risks with heavy equipment - Physical limitations (lifting, prolonged standing) are incompatible with 16-hour production days I also created a simple document showing my typical work day with photos - EDD has no clue what film PA work actually involves. Attach it to your new claim (don't appeal, file fresh). Got my approval in 3 weeks vs waiting until 36 weeks. The key is making EDD understand that your pregnancy symptoms make your specific job unsafe, not that you just have some general restrictions. Your timing is tight at 33 weeks but definitely doable! Push your doctor to be very specific about WHY your pregnancy prevents you from doing PA work safely.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and work as a grip/gaffer in the film industry - just got my SDI claim denied for the exact same reason about my medical cert not establishing I couldn't do my regular work. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful, especially hearing from other film industry folks who've been through this! It's clear the key issue is that EDD doesn't understand what our jobs actually involve - they probably think "production crew" means sitting around holding clipboards instead of the reality of hauling 80lb lighting equipment up stairs for 14-hour days. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about getting my OB to fill out a completely NEW DE 2501 form with that specific "CANNOT perform regular or customary work" language, and I love the idea of including photos showing what the job actually entails. One question for those who successfully got approved before 36 weeks - did you submit any additional documentation beyond the medical cert and job photos? Like pay stubs showing the different production companies, or anything to prove the physical nature of the work? Thanks for sharing all your experiences - this gives me so much more confidence that I can get this resolved without having to wait until 36 weeks!