Late doctor certification for pregnancy SDI - can I still qualify for remaining 4 weeks?

the same thing happend to me!! dont worry to much, you can still submit the form late with a note from ur doctor explaining why it was late. theres like a 20 day grace period i think? at least thats what worked for me last year.

You should be able to submit the certification late as long as you have a legitimate reason. Call your OB's office immediately and explain the situation. The standard pregnancy disability is 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type). So yes, you're correct that you still qualify for more SDI before transitioning to PFL. If your doctor submits the certification with a note explaining the confusion about timing, EDD will likely accept it. Make sure they include your claim number on all documentation. Pregnancy claims have some flexibility built in because delivery dates aren't always predictable.

Whatever you do, DON'T apply for PFL yet!!! If you start PFL before using all your SDI benefits, you can't go back and claim those SDI weeks later. The SDI and PFL have to be consecutive. I made this mistake last year and couldn't get those missing SDI payments even though I was entitled to them. Wait until you resolve the SDI certification issue before filing for PFL.

I've been through this exact situation. EDD is surprisingly reasonable about late pregnancy certifications because they understand new parents have a lot going on. Here's what you need to do: 1. Contact your doctor ASAP for the certification (form DE 2501) 2. Ask them to include a brief note about confusion over benefit timing 3. Submit it through SDI Online or fax immediately 4. Call EDD to follow up and explain the situation I spent THREE HOURS trying to get through to EDD last month about a similar issue. If you're having trouble reaching someone, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd It saved me so much frustration after days of busy signals and disconnections.

This whole system is RIDICULOUS! New moms shouldn't have to deal with this bureaucratic nightmare when they've just had a baby!!! I'm still fighting with EDD over a similar issue from 4 months ago. They kept saying different things every time I called. One rep said I could backdate, another said I couldn't. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS PEOPLE!!! 😡

I went through something similar when I had my twins in 2024. Here's what most people don't realize: For pregnancy claims, EDD actually has a policy that allows late certifications within a reasonable timeframe when there's good cause. Having a newborn and confusion about the process is generally considered good cause. Make sure you're clear about the timeline when you talk to EDD. For c-section recovery, you're entitled to 8 weeks of SDI post-delivery. So if you're 5 weeks postpartum, you should still have 3 more weeks of SDI before transitioning to PFL. Also, when you do eventually file for PFL, remember that you have 12 months from your child's birth to use those benefits - they don't have to be taken immediately after SDI ends.

wait im confused... i thought PFL was only 6 weeks? or is it different for pregnacy vs taking care of sick family members?

my sister just had this exact problem! she got her doctor to backdate the form and it worked fine. dont stress too much!

Update: I just got off the phone with my OB's office and they're going to fill out the form today and fax it directly to EDD! The nurse was super understanding and said they'll include a note explaining the confusion about timing. Fingers crossed this works out! Thank you all for the advice and support!