EDD confusion - applied for SDI after emergency birth hospitalization, doctor hasn't submitted paperwork yet

You did everything correctly! For pregnancy/childbirth, you actually need BOTH programs but at different times. SDI first covers the medical part (typically 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after depending on delivery type), then PFL covers bonding time after your disability period ends. Your doctor needs to certify your SDI claim with form DE 2501, and it sounds like they're working on it. Once your SDI benefits end, you'll file for PFL for the bonding period. Don't worry - you're on the right track!

congrats on ur baby! i had same thing happen but diff reason (water broke at 35 wks). yes u did right thing w/ SDI first. doctor has to submit their part then u get aproved. take like 2 weeks sometimes longer

NOBODY at EDD tells you this but there are two different timeframes for SDI after birth - 6 weeks for vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for c-section. They don't volunteer this info!!! And the doctors offices are TERRIBLE about submitting paperwork on time. My claim was delayed almost 3 weeks because my OB's office "forgot" to send in the form even though they told me 4 TIMES they did it!!! Call your doctors office DAILY until they confirm it's actually done!!!

I work for an OB office and handle these forms regularly. Here's exactly what should happen: Your doctor submits a DE 2501 form certifying your disability period (which includes your hospital stay and recovery period). For C-section, that's typically 8 weeks post-delivery. For vaginal birth, it's 6 weeks. Your claim will process once that form is received by EDD. After your SDI period ends, you'll file for PFL for bonding time (up to 8 weeks). These are two separate claims, but they work together for pregnancy/birth situations. The most common delay is the medical certification, so definitely follow up with your doctor's office. Sometimes the forms get overlooked in busy practices.

Call EDD!! Don't just wait for doctor to submit! You could be waiting forever and meanwhile no money coming in. I had same problem last year and waited 5 weeks for my doctor's office to send paperwork - they kept saying they did but EDD never got it. I wasted so much time trying to call EDD on my own (like 200+ calls never got through). Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes who explained exactly what was missing and I was able to get my doctor to send the right form that same day. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Worth it since it got my claim moving after weeks of no progress!

I'm going thru the exact same thing right now!!!!!! Applied for SDI after emergency C-section 3 weeks ago and my doctor STILL hasnt submitted the paperwork despite me calling them EVERY SINGLE DAY. Now I'm stuck with no income, healing from surgery, taking care of newborn, AND fighting with doctor's office. This system is a JOKE. What are we supposed to do??? Literally have bills due next week and nothing from EDD. Has anyone had success getting their doctor to hurry up???

To answer your earlier question - yes, you wait for your doctor to submit their certification for SDI now, then later you'll apply for PFL. The transition between the two isn't automatic. As your SDI claim nears its end, you'll need to submit a new claim for PFL (usually 1-2 weeks before your SDI ends). For PFL, you don't need a doctor's certification, but you'll need to provide your child's birth certificate or other documentation of your relationship. The PFL application is through the same SDI Online system where you filed your disability claim.

btw my doctor took almost 2 weeks to send in the form thing and i had to keep calling them. make sure u talk to the person who actually does the paperwork not just the front desk

When I had my baby in January I waited almost 3 weeks for payment because of missing doctor certification. Call your doctor AND call EDD (if you can get through). Sometimes the doctor sends it but EDD doesn't process it correctly. The whole system is confusing. Congrats on your baby though!

Just a final clarification since there's some confusion in this thread: You filed correctly by starting with SDI. For pregnancies that end in birth, the process works like this: 1. SDI for pregnancy disability (typically starts up to 4 weeks before due date for normal pregnancies, but earlier for complications like yours) 2. SDI continues for recovery after birth (6 weeks for vaginal delivery, 8 weeks for C-section) 3. After SDI ends, you apply for PFL for bonding time (up to 8 weeks) Your hospital stay and early delivery were absolutely covered under SDI. Your doctor needs to specify the correct dates including your hospitalization in their certification. If they're taking too long, request to speak with the office manager or medical records department directly.