Pregnancy SDI filing timing - confused by doctor's note dates
My OB just gave me an off-work note for my pregnancy (high blood pressure issues) with dates from 2/20/2025 through 4/29/2025. I'm not sure exactly WHEN I should file my SDI claim online. Should I wait until my first actual day off work (2/20) or file the day after (2/21)? Or can I file now since I have the paperwork? This is my first pregnancy and I'm worried about doing something wrong and delaying my benefits. Also, does anyone know if weekends count in the 7-day waiting period? Thanks so much for any advice!
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Ryder Ross
You can file up to 9 days before your disability begins, so technically you could file now if your first day of disability is 2/20. Just make sure your doctor has submitted the medical certification. If they haven't done that yet, wait until they do or you'll just be stuck in pending status forever.
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Kyle Wallace
•Thanks! My doctor said they would submit the form electronically this week, but I wasn't sure if I should wait until they actually do it or if I can start my part now. I'm so anxious about getting everything right!
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Gianni Serpent
I filed my pregnancy disability claim the day after my last work day and it was fine. But make SURE ur doctor actually submits their part - mine said they did but EDD never got it and i waited 6 weeks with no $$$!!
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Kyle Wallace
•Oh no, that sounds awful! Did you have to keep calling your doctor's office to get them to resubmit? I'm going to double-check with mine tomorrow.
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Henry Delgado
Let me clarify some things about pregnancy SDI claims: 1. You can file up to 9 days BEFORE your first day of disability 2. Weekends DO count in your 7-day waiting period 3. Your benefit payments begin after that 7-day waiting period 4. The date on your doctor's note (2/20) should be your first day of disability I recommend filing your claim as soon as your doctor submits their certification. Don't file before they submit their part or your claim may get stuck in processing. Also make sure your last day of work is properly documented - it should be 2/19 based on your doctor's note.
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Kyle Wallace
•This is so helpful, thank you! I'll make sure to coordinate with my doctor and confirm they've submitted their part before I file. And good to know about weekends counting in the waiting period.
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Olivia Kay
when i had my baby last yr i filed my claim a week before my due date but my water broke early! had to call and change all the dates and it was a NIGHTMARE getting anyone on the phone. if ur already having BP issues maybe file sooner rather than later just in case??
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Joshua Hellan
•If you're ever having trouble reaching someone at EDD, try Claimyr. It got me through to a real person in under 25 minutes when I was dealing with date changes on my disability claim. I was on hold for HOURS before finding them. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd or go to claimyr.com - seriously saved my sanity during a stressful pregnancy time.
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Jibriel Kohn
I think everyone here is mixing up SDI with PFL. For pregnancy you do SDI first THEN paid family leave after the baby. But the filing process is different for both!!!!
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Henry Delgado
•Actually, everyone's correctly discussing SDI here. The original poster is asking about filing Disability Insurance for pregnancy BEFORE delivery (for her high blood pressure issues). You're right that after delivery, she would transition from SDI to PFL when she's bonding with the baby, but that's a separate application process she'll need to do later. For now, she's just focused on the initial disability period her doctor authorized.
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Edison Estevez
The EDD system is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE for pregnant women!! I filed last year and they LOST my paperwork THREE TIMES. Make sure you save EVERYTHING, take screenshots of confirmations, and write down claim numbers. They'll probably still mess it up but at least you'll have proof. The whole system is designed to make pregnant women give up on getting their benefits!
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Kyle Wallace
•That sounds so stressful! I'll definitely save everything. Did you ever get your benefits straightened out?
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Edison Estevez
•Eventually, but only after I found the email address of someone high up in the EDD office and copied them on EVERY communication. Suddenly my "lost" paperwork was found and my claim was approved in 3 days. Coincidence? I think NOT. The system is broken!!!
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Ryder Ross
Just to add - make sure your doctor puts the correct diagnosis code on your medical certification. For pregnancy-related high blood pressure, they should use a specific ICD-10 code. If they just put "pregnancy" as the diagnosis, EDD might question why you're going out earlier than the standard 4 weeks before due date. Ask your doctor to be specific about the medical necessity.
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Kyle Wallace
•That's really important info - thank you! I'll check with my OB to make sure they're specific about the high blood pressure being the reason. I definitely don't want any delays with my claim.
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Gianni Serpent
when do u get paid? my friend said the 7 day waiting period means u dont get paid for the 1st week is that true???
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Henry Delgado
•Yes, that's correct. The 7-day waiting period is unpaid. So if your disability starts on 2/20, your benefits would start accruing on 2/27. However, you won't receive your first payment until you've certified for benefits, which typically happens after your first two weeks of disability.
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
pregnant with my 3rd baby here! trust me file RIGHT AFTER your last day worked. dont wait. the system takes forever especially for pregnancy claims because there are so many. my last claim took 5 weeks to process even tho my dr submitted everything right away!!
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Kyle Wallace
•Wow, 5 weeks is a long time! Did you have to keep certifying during that waiting period? I'm trying to make sure I have enough saved to cover a potentially long gap.
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
•yeah you still have to do all the certifications even while waiting! its so annoying. but once approved they pay everything retroactively. congrats on your pregnancy btw!!
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Danielle Mays
One thing I learned from my own pregnancy SDI claim - make sure you keep working right up until your disability start date (2/20 in your case). I made the mistake of taking a few sick days before my official disability period started, and EDD questioned whether I was actually disabled or just using regular sick time. It delayed my claim by weeks while they investigated. Also, if you're planning to use any accrued vacation time after your baby is born, don't mention that in your initial application - it can complicate things. Focus solely on the medical disability period your doctor has certified. Good luck with everything!
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