EDD SDI for pregnancy after UI benefits - confused about 'last day worked' on disability form

You should put your actual last physical day of work (the October date when you were laid off). EDD considers that your last day worked even though you've been on UI. Make sure you also notify the UI department that you're no longer able to work so they stop your unemployment benefits - otherwise you could end up with an overpayment situation. When I transitioned from UI to SDI last year, I made the mistake of continuing to certify for UI for a week after my disability started and had to pay it back.

put the actual last day u worked at your job!! not the day u stopped UI. i made that mistake and my claim got delayed for like 3 weeks while they investigated. such a headache!!!

I went through this exact situation in 2023!!! Put the October date as your last day worked. But here's what's SUPER IMPORTANT that nobody told me - you need to make sure you STOP certifying for UI benefits the week before your SDI begins. There's a 7-day waiting period for SDI where you don't get paid by anyone, and if you accidentally collect UI during your SDI waiting period, you'll have a HUGE MESS to fix later!!! The EDD computer systems don't talk to each other well and they'll flag your account for fraud investigation if you overlap even by one day!

I'm an EDD case specialist and can provide some clarification. When transitioning from UI to SDI for pregnancy disability: 1. Your "last day worked" should be the actual last day you physically worked at your job before being laid off (the October date). 2. There is a mandatory 7-day waiting period for SDI benefits where no benefits are paid. 3. You must stop certifying for UI benefits as of the date your doctor certifies you're unable to work due to your pregnancy. 4. The two benefit systems (UI and SDI) will not automatically communicate with each other - you need to manually stop your UI claims. 5. For your pregnancy disability claim, make sure your doctor clearly indicates that your disability is pregnancy-related but separate from normal pregnancy. Standard pregnancy disability typically begins 4 weeks before your due date, but with complications, it can start earlier with proper medical documentation. Let me know if you have any other questions about the process.

I had the EXACT SAME QUESTION last year!!! It's so confusing! I put down my last physically worked day (which was from 7 months earlier) and my claim was approved. But then I accidentally certified for UI for that waiting week and ended up with an overpayment. I spent HOURS on the phone trying to fix it and couldn't get through to anyone at EDD! I eventually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual EDD agent who fixed everything for me. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Just wanted to share since getting through to EDD directly is nearly impossible these days. Good luck with your pregnancy!

Wait I'm confused about something - I thought you couldn't get disability if you were already on unemployment? Aren't they mutually exclusive since UI requires you to be able and available for work, but disability is for when you CAN'T work? Did the rules change recently?

theres a box on the SDI form where u can explain special circumstances. i would write a note there explaining u were on UI after being laid off. just to be clear. the more info the better IMO

One more important thing - make sure your doctor is very specific about your disability being due to pregnancy complications (high blood pressure and swelling) rather than just a normal pregnancy. Standard pregnancy disability usually only starts 4 weeks before your due date, but with complications properly documented, you can start earlier. Ask your doctor to be very clear about why you can't work now, otherwise EDD might deny your claim or only approve it starting at the standard 36-week mark.

I went through this same transition last year! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me avoid issues: 1. Keep ALL your paperwork from both UI and SDI - I had to reference my UI claim dates when there was a question about my SDI timeline 2. Take screenshots of your last UI certification and the date you stop certifying - this saved me when EDD questioned whether I had properly ended my UI claim 3. Ask your doctor to put the START DATE of your disability on the medical form, not just sign it - mine initially just signed without specifying when my disability began and it caused a delay 4. If you have any saved sick/vacation time from your old job, that might affect your SDI calculation, so mention it when you file The pregnancy-induced hypertension should definitely qualify you for early disability before the standard 36-week mark. Wishing you a healthy rest of your pregnancy and hoping your claim goes smoothly! The EDD process is stressful enough without pregnancy complications on top of it.