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Victoria Jones

EDD SDI payment schedule for pregnancy to postpartum transition - need urgent advice!

I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and my SDI claim started on January 17, 2025 for high-risk pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes + preeclampsia concerns). I have some urgent questions about my benefits that I can't find clear answers to anywhere: 1. Does California EDD pay disability benefits weekly or biweekly? My first payment finally arrived but I can't tell what schedule to expect going forward. 2. I'm scheduled for induction TOMORROW (!!) and transitioning from pregnancy disability to postpartum recovery. Do I need to notify EDD immediately about the birth? Or do I just continue with my current claim until I'm ready to return to work? 3. I just had to order a replacement debit card because mine never arrived (great timing, right?). The automated system said 7-10 days for delivery. Will my payments continue to accumulate on the new card once it arrives? Sorry for all the questions but everything's happening at once and I'm stressed about keeping my benefits straight while dealing with a newborn. Any help from those who've navigated this transition would be amazing!

Cameron Black

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Congrats on the baby! So EDD pays every TWO weeks, not weekly. They deposit funds to ur BoA card on a schedule based on when u first filed. For the birth thing - technically ur SUPPOSED to report any change but honestly when I had my kid last year I didn't report anything until I was switching from pregnancy disability to bonding time (PFL). Nothing bad happened. Too busy with newborn chaos lol. The payments should keep going to the new card, it's tied to ur account not the physical card.

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Thank you!! That's such a relief about not having to report the birth immediately. Between the induction and having a newborn, I wasn't sure how I'd find time to deal with EDD paperwork. So after recovery period, do I need to file something new to switch to PFL?

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To clarify some information about your SDI claim during this transition: EDD SDI benefits are paid approximately every two weeks after your initial certification is processed. This is different from UI benefits which require bi-weekly certification. For your pregnancy-to-postpartum transition: Your current disability claim covers both the pregnancy-related disability AND your postpartum recovery (typically 6-8 weeks for vaginal delivery or 8-10 weeks for C-section). You do not need to notify EDD immediately about the birth. However, your doctor will need to complete a supplemental medical certification after delivery to confirm your recovery period. This is usually done at your postpartum checkup. Regarding your replacement card: Yes, all benefits will be available once your new card arrives. You can also set up direct deposit through the Bank of America EDD debit card website if you prefer funds to go directly to your bank account. When you're ready to transition from disability to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding, you'll need to file a new claim. This is a separate process that should be started about 1-2 weeks before your disability claim ends.

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wait i thought u had to tell them RIGHT AWAY when the baby is born? my sister said she got in trouble for not reporting within like 48 hrs or something???

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There's often confusion about this. While EDD does want current information, there is no strict 48-hour notification requirement for childbirth. What is important is that your doctor submits the updated medical certification to establish your postpartum recovery period. This typically happens at your first postpartum appointment. If your sister experienced issues, it may have been related to other claim circumstances or perhaps her doctor's office didn't submit updated medical information in a timely manner.

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Ruby Garcia

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When I had my baby in 2024 I was so stressed abt all this too!! For me the payments came every 2 weeks but sometimes they were a few days late which was super frustrating. Def make sure ur dr sends in that form after delivery to confirm the recovery time!!! Mine almost forgot and it would have messed everything up. Good luck with ur induction tomorrow!!!!!

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Thank you! I'll definitely remind my doctor about the form. Did your payments ever get delayed during the transition period? That's my biggest worry since bills don't stop for baby time!

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When I tried navigating EDD during my maternity leave last year, it was ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE!! My doctor submitted everything correctly, but my payments randomly stopped after I gave birth. Tried calling EDD for THREE WEEKS and could never get through - just constant busy signals or being hung up on. By that point I was struggling with a colicky newborn and recovering from a c-section while trying to figure out how to pay bills. The whole system is designed to fail new mothers when they're most vulnerable!!!

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Here's what you need to know about your SDI pregnancy to postpartum transition: 1. Payment Schedule: EDD typically processes payments every two weeks. However, the actual payment may take 2-3 days to appear on your card after processing, depending on weekends and holidays. 2. Birth Notification: You don't need to notify EDD immediately when you give birth, but your doctor must submit a supplemental medical certification (DE 2525XX form) after delivery to establish your postpartum recovery period. This is critical - without it, your benefits might be interrupted. 3. Recovery Period: Standard recovery periods that EDD recognizes are: - 6-8 weeks for vaginal delivery - 8-10 weeks for C-section delivery 4. Replacement Card: Your benefits will accumulate in your account regardless of whether you have the physical card. Once your new card arrives, all funds will be available. 5. Transitioning to PFL: About 1-2 weeks before your disability claim ends, you should file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim if you plan to take bonding time. This requires a separate application (DE 2501FP). Pro tip: Request your doctor complete the post-delivery certification at your first postpartum appointment to avoid any payment gaps.

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Thank you for all the detailed info! This is exactly what I needed. I'll make sure to ask my doctor about the DE 2525XX form right away. Do you know if there's any way to check online if they've submitted it? The EDD website is so confusing to navigate.

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Unfortunately, the EDD online system doesn't show you specifically which forms have been received from your doctor. The best you can do is: 1. Check your claim status online through SDI Online 2. Look for any messages in your inbox regarding missing information 3. Call your doctor's office directly to confirm they submitted the form If your payments suddenly stop after delivery, that's often a sign that EDD hasn't received the updated medical certification yet.

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Maya Lewis

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I went thru this whole process back in October and honestly it was pretty smooth for me. My doctor handled all the paperwork transitions automatically and my benefits just kept coming. The only thing I messed up was waiting too long to file for PFL after my disability ran out... left me with like a 2 week gap with no income. So don't wait until the last minute to do that part!!!

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did u have to start a whole new claim for the PFL part? i keep hearing different things

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Maya Lewis

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Yes, PFL is a completely separate claim from disability! That's exactly why I ended up with that gap - I thought it would automatically transition but you have to file a new claim with form DE 2501FP. They recommend doing it about 1-2 weeks before your disability ends.

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Cameron Black

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One other thing - when ur doctor submits that form after u give birth, make SURE they put the right date of delivery!!! My doc's office put the wrong date and it caused a HUGE mess with my claim. Took like 3 weeks to fix and I almost missed a rent payment because of it. Just double check everything because the whole system is a nightmare if anything goes wrong.

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That's so stressful! I'll definitely double check all the paperwork. At my last appointment my doctor said their office has a dedicated person who handles all the EDD forms, so hopefully that means fewer mistakes.

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One additional thing to be aware of: if you do experience any payment delays during this transition period, you have the right to request expedited processing due to financial hardship. Call EDD and specifically mention that you're experiencing financial hardship due to delayed benefits. In some cases, they can prioritize processing your claim. Also, once your baby arrives, be sure to start gathering the documentation you'll need for your Paid Family Leave claim for bonding time (if you plan to take it). You'll need: 1. Child's birth certificate 2. Your documentation showing relationship to child 3. Form DE 2501FP completed Congratulations on your upcoming delivery! The system can be complex, but with proper documentation, it usually works as intended.

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Ruby Garcia

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Can confirm the financial hardship thing works sometimes!! I called crying about not being able to buy diapers and they expedited my payment lol. Not my proudest moment but it worked!

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Congratulations on your upcoming induction tomorrow! I just went through this exact situation in December and wanted to share what worked for me. First, yes EDD pays every two weeks - usually on the same day of the week you first certified. The timing can vary by a day or two depending on holidays. For the birth notification - I was super worried about this too but didn't report immediately and had zero issues. What IS crucial is making sure your OB office submits the updated medical form after delivery. I actually called them the day after I gave birth just to remind them, and they said they automatically do it within 48 hours of discharge. Your replacement card situation should be fine - all payments accumulate in your account regardless of the physical card. I had a similar issue and once my new card arrived, everything was there waiting. One tip that saved me stress: ask your delivery nurse or hospital discharge planner if they have any EDD resources or can confirm your doctor's office handles the paperwork transition. Most hospitals deal with this all the time and can reassure you about the process. You've got this! Focus on your delivery tomorrow and don't stress too much about the EDD stuff - it will work out. Wishing you a smooth induction and healthy baby!

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This is so helpful! I love the idea of asking the hospital staff about EDD - I hadn't thought of that. It's reassuring to hear from someone who just went through this recently. Did you have any issues with the timing of your payments during the transition? I'm mostly worried about any gaps while everything gets sorted out with the new medical forms.

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