Starting new EDD SDI claim for postpartum depression after pregnancy disability ends - different doctor procedure?
So my pregnancy disability just ended last week (had my baby 6 weeks ago), but I've been struggling with some pretty severe postpartum depression. My primary care doctor wants to put me on disability for the PPD, but she's telling me I need to file a completely new claim since she wasn't the one who signed off on my pregnancy disability (my OB handled all of that). I'm confused because I thought I could just extend my current claim? Do I really have to start the whole process over again with a new waiting period and everything? Will this affect my benefit amount? I'm worried about the gap between benefits while this gets processed. I go back for my appointment tomorrow and want to make sure we're doing this right. Has anyone gone through something similar with transitioning from pregnancy disability to mental health disability with different doctors?
18 comments

Fatima Al-Hashimi
yes u do need 2 file new claim. i went thru this last yr. pregnancy and mental health r different disabilities so need diff claims. sucks but thats how it works.
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Giovanni Conti
AuthorUgh, that's what I was afraid of. Did you have a gap between your benefits? I'm worried about going weeks without any income while this processes.
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NeonNova
Your doctor is correct. When you transition from pregnancy disability (which is handled by your OB) to a different medical condition like PPD (handled by your PCP or psychiatrist), you need to file a new claim with EDD. This is because they're considered separate medical conditions with different treating physicians. Here's what you need to know: - Your doctor will need to complete a new medical certification (DE 2501) for your PPD - Yes, unfortunately there is a new 7-day waiting period for this claim - Your benefit amount should be the same if your base period wages haven't changed - Start the new claim immediately to minimize gaps in payment Make sure your doctor clearly documents that this is a separate condition from your pregnancy disability. The medical evidence needs to show you have a different diagnosis that prevents you from performing your regular work duties.
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Giovanni Conti
AuthorThank you for the detailed info! So frustrating about the waiting period. 😣 Do you know if my doctor can backdate the claim at all? I have an appointment tomorrow and I'm worried about losing weeks of benefits.
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Dylan Campbell
I had almost THE EXACT same situation in January!!! My pregnancy disability ended and I was diagnosed with severe PPD. My psychiatrist filed a new claim for me (not my OB who handled the pregnancy part). Here's what happened: - Had to serve ANOTHER waiting period (which is total BS if you ask me) - There was about a 3 week gap between my last pregnancy payment and first PPD payment - The claim took almost 4 weeks to process even with my doctor submitting everything electronically - I had to call EDD like 20 times to check on status and got disconnected every single time - Finally got approved and backpaid to the end of the waiting period Make sure your doctor uses the right diagnosis codes and clearly states how your condition prevents you from working. My first certification was rejected because it wasn't specific enough about my limitations.
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Giovanni Conti
Author3 weeks is such a long gap! I'm a single mom and definitely can't go that long without income. Did they at least backdate it to when you first couldn't work? And thanks for the tip about being specific with limitations - I'll make sure my doctor knows that.
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Sofia Hernandez
I think u can get PFL instead maybe? That's for bonding with baby and u don't need doctor note for it. 8 weeks I think.
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NeonNova
That's not quite accurate. PFL (Paid Family Leave) is different from SDI. While it does provide benefits for bonding with a new child, it doesn't apply if you're unable to work due to a medical condition like postpartum depression. For a medical condition that prevents you from working, SDI is the appropriate program, which is what the original poster needs.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
I had a similar situation last year when I transitioned from pregnancy disability to disability for a severe back injury (totally unrelated conditions). Yes, you absolutely need to file a new claim as these are considered separate disabilities with different medical providers. The most frustrating part was trying to get through to an EDD representative to clarify some questions about my new claim. I spent hours on hold and getting disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd It was really helpful because the EDD agent was able to see that my new claim had been received but was pending review, and they expedited it for me since I explained my financial situation. Definitely worth it to avoid the endless calling and getting nowhere.
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Giovanni Conti
AuthorNever heard of that service but might check it out if I can't get through. I've already tried calling twice today and couldn't even get in the queue. Did they expedite your payments or just the claim review?
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Ava Thompson
THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!! My sister went through this exact thing and they made her wait FIVE WEEKS between benefits. They know exactly what they're doing. The separate waiting period is complete garbage - you're still disabled, just with a different condition!!! Call your state representative and complain because this policy hurts new mothers when they're most vulnerable. I'm so angry on your behalf.
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Miguel Ramos
While I understand your frustration, the waiting period is actually written into state law. Each disability claim requires a waiting period. It may seem unfair, but that's how the program is structured. Contacting representatives about changing the law might help future claimants though.
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Miguel Ramos
To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, you need a new claim for PPD since it's a different medical condition with a different treating physician (your primary care doctor instead of your OB). 2. There will be a new 7-day waiting period. Unfortunately, you cannot extend a pregnancy disability claim with a non-pregnancy-related condition even if there's no gap between conditions. 3. Your benefit amount should remain the same if you're within the same base period. 4. Ask your doctor to fully complete the medical certification portion as soon as possible. Have them be very specific about how your PPD symptoms prevent you from performing your regular work duties. 5. File your claim online immediately, even before your appointment if possible. You can always update medical information later. 6. If approved, benefits would start after the waiting period (not from the date the claim is approved). One tip: Have your doctor clearly indicate this is a separate and distinct medical condition from your pregnancy disability. This helps avoid confusion at EDD about whether this is a continuation claim or a new disability claim.
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Giovanni Conti
AuthorThank you for the straightforward answers! I had no idea the system worked this way. I'm definitely going to get this filed ASAP. Do you happen to know if the benefit amount calculation changes at all if I've been on disability for part of my base period? Or does it still use the same earnings window from my pregnancy claim?
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Zainab Ibrahim
i had ppd too and tbh, my doctor just extended my pregnancy claim by putting "postpartum complications" and i didn't have to do a new claim. maybe ask if they can code it that way? worth a try.
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NeonNova
While some physicians may code postpartum depression as a pregnancy complication to extend the original claim, this approach is technically not following EDD guidelines. Pregnancy disability is specifically for physical recovery from childbirth, while PPD is considered a separate mental health condition. It's important to file claims properly to avoid potential issues with benefits or even overpayment notices later.
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Dylan Campbell
One more thing - when you file your new claim, make sure you enter the date your PPD began preventing you from working (not the date your pregnancy disability ended). Those dates need to match what your doctor puts on the medical certification. If there's any discrepancy, it can delay your claim processing. I learned this the hard way and had to call EDD multiple times to fix it.
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Natalie Khan
I went through something very similar about 8 months ago! My OB handled my pregnancy disability, then my therapist had to file a completely new claim when I developed severe postpartum anxiety. It's definitely frustrating having to start over, but here's what I learned: - Make sure your doctor is very detailed about your symptoms and how they specifically prevent you from working (sleep deprivation, concentration issues, panic attacks, etc.) - I filed my claim online the same day I saw my doctor to minimize delays - The waiting period sucks but there's no way around it - they treat it as a totally separate disability - My benefit amount stayed the same since I was still in the same base period - It took about 2.5 weeks to get my first payment after filing One thing that helped was having my doctor submit the medical certification electronically right after my appointment instead of mailing it. Ask about that option! Also, don't let anyone tell you this isn't a "real" disability - PPD is serious and you deserve support. Hang in there mama! 💙
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