Pregnant and fired while on bed rest - Can I switch from UI to SDI after delivery in July?

ur not supposed to be collecting unemployment while on bedrest fyi. UI is for when ur able to work but cant find a job. if ur dr put u on bedrest you should be on disability (SDI) not unemployment.

You need to understand the difference between these programs: 1. UI (Unemployment Insurance): For people able and available to work but can't find employment 2. SDI (State Disability Insurance): For when you can't work due to a non-work related illness/injury, including pregnancy disability 3. PFL (Paid Family Leave): For bonding with a new child or caring for ill family members If you're on doctor-ordered bed rest, you should be on SDI, not UI. After delivery, you'd typically have pregnancy disability for 6-8 weeks (depending on delivery type), then transition to PFL for bonding time. You can be eligible for SDI and PFL even without a current employer as long as you had qualifying wage earnings in your base period. The key is that you paid into SDI through payroll deductions during your previous employment. I recommend contacting EDD immediately to correct your benefits situation. You may need to switch from UI to SDI now if you're medically unable to work.

You might want to try Claimyr to get through to an EDD agent quickly. I spent days trying to reach someone at EDD to fix my benefits situation (was incorrectly on UI instead of SDI during cancer treatment). Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent I spoke with explained that what I was doing could potentially result in an overpayment situation, which would be a nightmare to deal with while also managing a medical condition. Definitely worth getting this sorted out ASAP.

I WENT THROUGH THIS EXACT THING IN 2023!!! Was on bedrest, got fired, then had my baby. I made the HUGE MISTAKE of staying on unemployment the whole time and then got hit with a massive overpayment notice because EDD said I wasn't "able and available for work" while recovering from childbirth!!! Had to pay back almost $4,800!!! DO NOT DO WHAT I DID!!! Switch to SDI before delivery (you need to have your doctor fill out forms) and then do PFL after for bonding. You CAN get these benefits even without a current employer as long as you paid into the system during your base period. The weekly benefit amount might actually be HIGHER on SDI/PFL than unemployment anyway!!! Don't risk the overpayment nightmare I went through!!!!

my cousin went thru something similar and she said the disability payments were way better than unemployment for her. like almost $200 more per week. might be worth checking into that angle too

This is a timing issue you need to be careful about. Since you're due in July 2025: 1. If you're currently on bed rest or have pregnancy-related medical restrictions, you should contact your doctor about filing for SDI now. This isn't optional - it's about being on the correct program. 2. After delivery, pregnancy disability typically covers 6-8 weeks (8 weeks for C-section, 6 for vaginal delivery). 3. After pregnancy disability ends, you can transition to PFL for bonding for up to 8 weeks. The trick here is that you need qualifying wages in your base period. The base period for a July 2025 claim would be approximately April 2024-March 2025. If you've been working and paying into SDI during part of that time before being put on bed rest, you should qualify. Don't worry about the lack of current employer - SDI and PFL are based on your previous earnings and contributions, not your current employment status.

my sister just had a baby and she said the whole process was a nightmare but at the end, doing disability + paid family leave gave her way more money than staying on unemployment would have. just make sure you have all your paperwork in order because once you start the process it's a pain to fix mistakes.

totally off topic but congrats on the baby! july babies are the best (i have 2 of them lol

I forgot to mention this before but the benefit MAXIMUM is higher for SDI/PFL than for unemployment!!! In 2025 the max weekly SDI/PFL benefit will be around $1,620 compared to UI which is capped way lower around $550 per week. If you were making decent money before this all happened, SDI could be SIGNIFICANTLY better for you financially!!!

One more important thing to consider: if you're currently collecting UI while actually being unable to work due to pregnancy complications, this could potentially be considered misrepresentation. When you certify for UI, you're declaring that you're able and available for work. I recommend being proactive about this. Contact EDD and explain the situation - that you misunderstood the programs and need to switch from UI to SDI. They can help you make this transition properly and potentially avoid any overpayment or penalty issues. For your SDI claim, make sure your healthcare provider clearly documents your pregnancy-related limitations. Be aware there's a 7-day waiting period for SDI (no benefits paid for the first week). After delivery, the transition from pregnancy disability to PFL should be fairly straightforward with the right documentation. You'll need to have your doctor complete a DE 2501 form to establish your pregnancy disability claim.

As someone who's been through a similar situation, I want to echo what others have said - you really need to switch to SDI ASAP if your doctor has you on bed rest. I made the mistake of staying on UI too long during my pregnancy complications and it created a huge mess with EDD later. The good news is that since you were working and paying into the system until recently, you should definitely qualify for SDI and then PFL after delivery. The benefit amounts are typically much better than UI too - I was shocked at how much more I received on disability compared to unemployment. One tip: when you call EDD to make the switch, be honest about the timing and that you realize you may have been on the wrong program. They're usually more helpful when you're upfront about mistakes rather than trying to hide them. Also, make sure your doctor fills out the DE 2501 form completely - any missing info will delay your claim. You're going to be a great mom and this benefits stuff will all work out! Focus on taking care of yourself and the baby first, everything else is just paperwork that can be sorted out.