EDD denied my disability claim saying I 'withdrew from labor market' while on maternity leave - hearing scheduled

I had almost the exact same situation happen in 2023, and it's a common misunderstanding on EDD's part. When you transition from PFL to a different disability claim, they sometimes incorrectly assume you've withdrawn from the workforce because you weren't actively working at the exact moment the new disability began. For your appeal, make sure you gather these documents: 1. A letter from your employer confirming you were on approved leave, not terminated 2. Your original return-to-work date that was planned before your medical complications 3. Medical documentation showing the new condition is separate from regular pregnancy/childbirth 4. Your employment history showing you were actively employed prior to pregnancy disability During my hearing, I calmly explained that being on one type of approved leave doesn't mean I'd "withdrawn from the labor market" - I was still employed and would have returned if not for the new medical condition. The judge ruled in my favor. You shouldn't need a lawyer if you're well-prepared with documentation.

this happened to my sister too!!! EDD is THE WORST at handling transitions between different benefit types. they literally dont talk to each other across departments. PFL people dont update the SDI people or something. ridiculous bureaucracy.

This is a common misclassification that happens with EDD SDI claims that follow Paid Family Leave or Pregnancy Disability. The key issue is that EDD sometimes fails to recognize that being on an approved leave doesn't constitute withdrawing from the labor market. For your appeal hearing, focus on these key points: 1. You maintained an employer-employee relationship throughout your leave period 2. You had a definite return-to-work date before the new disability occurred 3. The new medical condition is what prevented your planned return to work 4. You suffered wage loss specifically because of the new disability The judge will likely ask about your intent to return to work and whether you had given notice of resignation. Make sure to emphasize that you fully intended to return to your position. I've helped several clients through this exact scenario, and typically the appeal is successful when properly documented. The fact that you mentioned you "did end up quitting several months after filing" might complicate things slightly - make sure to clarify that this decision came AFTER the disability began and was related to your medical situation, not before.

Have you tried calling EDD directly to sort this out? Sometimes a quick conversation with the right person can resolve things faster than the formal appeal process. Good luck either way!

I've been through THREE appeal hearings with EDD over the years and omg they are so confusing!!!! Be prepared for the judge to interrupt you a lot and ask weird technical questions. My advice is to write down EVERYTHING you want to say beforehand so you don't forget important points when you get nervous (which you will). Don't let them rush you and don't be afraid to say "I need a moment to check my notes" if you feel overwhelmed. So sorry you're dealing with this while recovering from childbirth and medical issues. The system is SO broken.

The EDD system is DESIGNED to deny legitimate claims hoping people won't appeal!!! I worked for the state (not EDD) for 12 years and this is a known tactic. They hope you'll give up fighting because most people do. DON'T GIVE UP. Appeal, appeal, appeal. The fact that they scheduled your hearing is good - many claims get resolved in the claimant's favor at this stage because EDD knows they messed up.

One important thing to clarify for your hearing - make sure the judge understands that your claim isn't for the same condition as your pregnancy disability or PFL. The fact that you developed a new medical condition that would have prevented your return to work regardless of your pregnancy/maternity status is critical. This creates a new period of disability with its own eligibility. The law specifically protects people in your situation - being on one type of approved leave doesn't disqualify you from disability benefits if a new condition develops. Section 2626 of the California Unemployment Insurance Code addresses this, and Administrative Law Judges are generally familiar with these provisions. Also, keep your answers concise during the hearing. If the judge asks a yes/no question, just answer yes or no, then wait for the next question. Oversharing can sometimes complicate your case.

After looking at your original post again, I wanted to address your question about benefit amounts. The EDD system calculates your potential benefit amount based on your base period earnings, which might appear sufficient for eligibility. However, eligibility also depends on your labor market attachment at the time of disability onset. The fact that you eventually quit your job several months after filing doesn't affect the claim we're discussing, as long as you were still attached to the labor market (employed but on leave) when this particular disability began. Make sure the timeline is very clear during your hearing - that your resignation came well after this disability claim was filed, not before. I've seen cases won and lost based on this specific distinction. If you can demonstrate you had a clear intention to return to work when this new disability began, you have a strong case.

i had my appeal hearing last month and was so nervous i threw up that morning lol! but it was actually not that bad. the judge was super businesslike but fair. my hearing was scheduled for 30 mins but only took like 15. just be super clear about your timeline and don't let them confuse you about dates.

I'm going through something very similar right now! I was on maternity leave (FMLA/bonding) and developed severe postpartum anxiety and depression that made it impossible for me to return to work. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with almost the exact same reasoning - that I had "withdrawn from the labor market" while on leave. What helped me was getting a very detailed letter from HR that specifically stated: - I was an employee in good standing on approved leave - My expected return-to-work date before the new medical condition - That I had NOT resigned or given any indication I wouldn't return I also made sure my doctor's certification clearly distinguished between normal postpartum recovery (which was covered under my original leave) and the new psychiatric condition that developed later. My appeal hearing is next week, so I can't speak to the outcome yet, but my disability advocate said cases like ours are actually pretty straightforward once you get in front of a judge who understands employment law. The initial EDD reviewers just don't seem trained to handle the nuances of leave transitions. Hang in there - you're not alone in this frustrating situation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation while recovering from childbirth and managing a newborn! This exact scenario happened to me in 2022, and I know how overwhelming it feels. The key thing that helped me win my appeal was having my doctor write a very specific letter explaining that my postpartum complications were a NEW medical condition that developed AFTER my planned return-to-work date. EDD initially treated it like I was just extending my maternity leave, but it was actually a completely separate disability that would have prevented me from working regardless of my pregnancy status. I also brought a timeline to my hearing showing: - Original maternity leave dates - Planned return-to-work date - When the new medical condition developed - When I filed the SDI claim The judge ruled in my favor within two weeks. The whole process was much less intimidating than I expected. You've got this - just stay organized and stick to the facts. The law is actually on your side here, EDD just doesn't always understand these transitional situations initially. Wishing you the best outcome at your hearing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! I went through almost the exact same situation in late 2023. I was on PFL for bonding leave and then developed complications that required additional time off. EDD denied my SDI claim with the exact same reasoning - that I had "withdrawn from the labor market." What really helped me was getting my employer to write a very specific letter stating that I was still considered an active employee on approved leave, not someone who had quit or abandoned my position. The letter included my original scheduled return date and confirmed that I would have been welcomed back if not for the medical complications. I also made sure to emphasize during my hearing that this was a NEW disability that occurred while I was still employed (just on leave). The judge seemed to understand once I explained that being on one type of approved leave doesn't mean you've left the workforce entirely. My hearing was actually much shorter than expected - about 20 minutes - and I got a favorable decision within 3 weeks. The retroactive payments really helped since I'd been struggling financially during the whole process. One tip: practice explaining your timeline out loud beforehand. I was so nervous during my hearing that I almost mixed up some dates, but having rehearsed it helped me stay focused. You've got this - the appeal process actually works when you have your documentation in order!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and your post really resonates with me! I was on maternity leave and then developed severe postpartum depression that made it impossible to return to work as planned. EDD denied my SDI claim with almost identical language about "withdrawing from the labor market" even though I was still technically employed and just on approved leave. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - it sounds like this is unfortunately a common issue with how EDD handles transitions between different types of leave. The advice about getting a detailed letter from HR confirming your employment status and planned return date seems crucial. I'm also going to make sure my doctor's certification clearly distinguishes between normal maternity recovery and my new medical condition. It's frustrating that we have to go through appeal hearings for what should be straightforward cases, but it's encouraging to see so many success stories here. The financial stress while waiting for resolution is really hard, especially when you're dealing with health issues and caring for a newborn. I hope your hearing goes smoothly and you get a quick favorable decision. Thank you for sharing your story - it helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic mess!

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! What you're experiencing is unfortunately very common - EDD seems to have a systematic misunderstanding of how employment status works during leave transitions. I went through something very similar in 2023. I was on FMLA leave for my own medical condition, and when that ended, I developed additional complications that prevented my return to work. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with the exact same reasoning - that I had "withdrawn from the labor market" while on leave. The key to winning my appeal was demonstrating continuous employment attachment. Here's what worked for me: 1. Get a detailed letter from your HR department stating you were an employee in good standing on approved leave with a specific planned return date 2. Have your doctor write a clear letter explaining that your postpartum complications are a NEW medical condition separate from normal pregnancy/childbirth recovery 3. Create a timeline showing: original leave dates → planned return date → when complications developed → when you filed SDI 4. Emphasize that you would have returned to work as scheduled if not for the new medical condition During my hearing, the judge was actually very understanding once I explained that being on approved leave doesn't equal withdrawing from the workforce. The whole process took about 25 minutes and I received a favorable decision within 2 weeks. Don't let this denial discourage you - the appeal process really does work when you have proper documentation. You're still employed (just on leave) and developed a legitimate disability that's preventing your return to work. That's exactly what SDI is designed to cover!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation on top of recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn! Your case sounds very similar to what I went through last year, and I want to reassure you that these types of denials are unfortunately common but very winnable on appeal. The key issue is that EDD's initial reviewers often don't understand that being on approved leave doesn't mean you've "withdrawn from the labor market." You were still employed - just temporarily unable to work due to your medical condition. This is exactly what SDI is designed to cover. For your hearing, I'd recommend focusing on these main points: - You were an active employee on approved leave, not someone who had quit or been terminated - You had a specific planned return-to-work date before your complications developed - Your postpartum complications represent a NEW disability separate from your original pregnancy-related leave - You would have returned to work as scheduled if not for this new medical condition Make sure to bring documentation showing your employment status during leave and medical records clearly distinguishing your complications from normal postpartum recovery. Practice explaining your timeline clearly and concisely - the judges appreciate when you stick to the facts without rambling. I won my appeal using this approach, and based on all the responses here, it seems like most people in similar situations do too. The financial stress while waiting is really hard, but hang in there - you have a strong case!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! I went through something very similar in early 2024 - I was on maternity leave and developed severe postpartum anxiety that prevented me from returning to work when my leave ended. EDD denied my SDI claim with almost identical language about "withdrawing from the labor market." The good news is that I won my appeal! Here's what made the difference: 1. I got a letter from my employer specifically stating I was still an active employee on approved leave with a planned return date 2. My doctor provided documentation clearly separating my anxiety/depression from normal postpartum recovery 3. I created a simple timeline showing: maternity leave → planned return date → when new condition developed → SDI filing date During the hearing, I focused on explaining that I fully intended to return to work and was still employed - the new medical condition was what changed everything, not any decision to leave my job. The judge understood immediately once I framed it that way. My hearing was about 20 minutes and I got the favorable decision in just over 2 weeks. The retroactive payments were a huge relief after months of financial stress. Don't let EDD's initial denial discourage you - this type of case is very winnable when you have proper documentation. You were employed and planning to return to work when a legitimate disability prevented you from doing so. That's exactly what SDI covers! Stay strong and keep fighting - you've got this!

I'm dealing with an almost identical situation right now! I was on FMLA/bonding leave after having my baby in February, and then developed severe postpartum complications in April that made it impossible to return to work as planned. EDD denied my SDI claim with the exact same reasoning - saying I had "withdrawn from the labor market" while on leave. It's so frustrating because I was still employed and had every intention of returning to my job! The complications were completely unexpected and separate from my normal maternity recovery. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful and gives me hope that these cases are very winnable on appeal. I'm scheduled for my hearing next month and I'm gathering all the documentation everyone mentioned - the detailed HR letter confirming my employment status, medical records distinguishing the new condition from normal recovery, and a clear timeline. It's reassuring to see so many success stories from people who went through this exact same bureaucratic nightmare. Thank you for sharing your story and starting this discussion - it's been invaluable for those of us navigating this confusing process! I'll try to remember to update after my hearing to add another data point for anyone else who finds themselves in this situation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation while dealing with postpartum complications and a newborn! Your case is unfortunately very common - EDD seems to have a systematic problem understanding that being on approved leave doesn't equal "withdrawing from the labor market." I went through something nearly identical in 2023. I was on maternity leave and developed postpartum complications that prevented my planned return to work. EDD denied my SDI claim with the exact same language you received. The key to winning my appeal was clearly demonstrating that I was still employed and had every intention of returning to work when the NEW medical condition developed. Here's what worked for me: - Got a detailed letter from HR confirming I was an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return date - Had my doctor write a letter clearly distinguishing my complications from normal postpartum recovery - Created a simple timeline: original leave → planned return date → when complications developed → SDI filing - Emphasized during the hearing that this was a separate disability that occurred while I was still employed My hearing lasted about 30 minutes and I received a favorable decision within 3 weeks. The judge was very matter-of-fact but fair once I explained the timeline clearly. Don't give up - you have a strong case! Being on approved leave while employed is exactly the situation SDI is designed to protect. The appeal process really works when you have proper documentation. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - was on maternity leave, developed complications, and EDD denied my SDI claim saying I'd "withdrawn from the labor market." It's such a common but completely wrong interpretation on their part. The good news is I won my appeal! The key was showing I was still employed (just on approved leave) when the NEW medical condition developed. Make sure you get a letter from your employer confirming you were an active employee with a planned return date, and have your doctor clearly document that your complications are separate from normal postpartum recovery. During my hearing, I kept emphasizing: "I was employed and planning to return to work when this separate disability prevented me from doing so." The judge understood immediately once I framed it that way. My hearing was only about 25 minutes and I got the favorable decision in under 3 weeks. You absolutely have a strong case here - being on approved leave while still employed is exactly what SDI is supposed to cover when new disabilities arise. Don't let their initial denial discourage you. The appeals process really works when you have your documentation organized. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who just went through a very similar experience, I wanted to share what helped me succeed with my appeal. I was on FMLA leave and then developed complications that prevented my planned return to work. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with almost identical language about "withdrawing from the labor market" - which made absolutely no sense since I was still employed, just on approved leave! What made the difference in my successful appeal: 1. **Clear employer documentation** - I got a detailed letter from HR stating I was an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return date (not terminated or resigned) 2. **Medical distinction** - My doctor wrote a letter clearly explaining that my condition was a NEW disability separate from my original leave reason 3. **Timeline preparation** - I created a simple chronology: original leave dates → planned return date → when new condition developed → SDI filing date 4. **Focus on employment attachment** - During the hearing, I emphasized that I was still employed and would have returned to work if not for the unexpected medical condition My hearing lasted about 20 minutes and I received a favorable decision in 2 weeks. The judge was very professional and seemed to understand these cases well once I explained that being on approved leave doesn't mean withdrawing from the workforce. You have a strong case here - this is exactly what SDI is designed to cover! Don't let their initial denial discourage you. Stay organized with your documentation and you'll get through this. You've got this!