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This whole thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same situation - took 4 weeks of bonding leave when my daughter was born in April, had to go back for a product launch, and now I want to use my remaining 4 weeks before her first birthday. Reading everyone's detailed experiences gives me so much confidence that I can actually make this work. I'm definitely going to call 1-877-238-4373 tomorrow at 8:05 AM with my claim number and all my documents organized. @Victoria Jones @Jacinda Yu @Alejandro Castro thank you all for sharing such specific details about your calls - it's incredibly helpful to know this process actually works! One quick question for anyone who's done this - when you reactivated your claim, did the agent ask for any additional documentation beyond your claim number and basic verification info, or was it pretty straightforward once they had your original claim details? I want to make sure I have absolutely everything ready before I call tomorrow morning!
@Monique Byrd From my experience when I called to reactivate my claim a few months ago, it was pretty straightforward once they had my claim number! The agent just verified my basic info name, (SSN, address and) asked me to confirm details about my original claim like my daughter s'birth date and when I first started my bonding leave. They didn t'ask for any additional documentation during the call itself - having your claim number ready was really the key thing. The whole verification process took maybe 2-3 minutes before they moved on to reactivating and discussing dates. You sound super prepared already! The 8:05 AM timing really does seem to make a difference in getting through quickly. Good luck tomorrow!
This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm in almost the identical situation: took 6 weeks of PFL bonding leave when my son was born in February, had to return early for a critical project, and now I want to use my remaining 2 weeks before his first birthday. Based on all the success stories here, I'm definitely calling 1-877-238-4373 tomorrow morning at exactly 8:05 AM with my claim number ready. @Victoria Jones @Jacinda Yu @Alejandro Castro your step-by-step experiences have given me so much confidence this will actually work! Quick question - I found my claim number in my EDD account under "Claim History" like @Alejandro Castro mentioned, but I'm seeing both a "Claim Number" and a "Confirmation Number" - which one should I have ready for the call? Also, for anyone who's done this recently, are you finding the 8:05 AM timing is still working well for getting through, or have wait times gotten longer? I really want to make sure I get this sorted out at least 3-4 weeks before I plan to take my remaining time off!
I'm 25 weeks pregnant and just found this incredible thread! Like so many of you, I've been dealing with a toxic manager who keeps making comments about my "dedication level" since announcing my pregnancy and has been slowly removing me from high-visibility projects. I've been having stress-induced migraines and my blood pressure has been elevated at my last few appointments, but I kept telling myself to just push through until maternity leave. Reading everyone's experiences has been such a revelation - I had no idea that workplace stress causing pregnancy complications could qualify for early SDI benefits! The fact that these are insurance programs we've been paying into through our paychecks makes me feel so much more confident about exploring this option. I'm calling my OB first thing Monday to discuss how my work situation is affecting my physical symptoms and to ask about getting proper medical documentation. Based on all the advice here, I'm going to be very specific about the migraines, elevated BP, and anxiety that started after the workplace hostility began. Thank you all for sharing your stories so courageously - you've transformed what felt like a hopeless situation into one where I actually have options and rights. This community proves that we don't have to choose between our babies' health and our financial security. Knowledge really is power, and you've all given me the tools I need to make the best decision for my family! 💕
I'm 21 weeks pregnant and just discovered this amazing thread while searching for help with my own workplace situation! Reading through everyone's stories has been incredibly validating - I thought I was going crazy dealing with my manager's subtle comments about my "changing priorities" and the way they've been gradually shifting my responsibilities to other team members "to reduce my stress." I've been experiencing terrible anxiety, frequent headaches, and my blood pressure readings have been concerning at recent appointments. Like so many of you mentioned, I kept thinking this was just normal pregnancy stress, but seeing all these similar experiences makes me realize this is actual workplace discrimination causing real health complications. What's given me the most hope from this thread is understanding that SDI and PFL are insurance programs we've paid into - not handouts we're asking for. I had no idea that benefits could be based on medical necessity regardless of whether you quit voluntarily. This completely changes how I'm thinking about my options! I'm scheduling an appointment with my OB this week to discuss how workplace stress is manifesting in my physical symptoms and to get proper documentation. Based on everyone's advice, I'm going to be very specific about when these symptoms started and their connection to the discrimination I've been experiencing. Thank you all for sharing your journeys so openly - you've shown me that I don't have to endure months more of this toxicity just because I'm pregnant. This community is proof that we have more power and options than we realize when we support each other with knowledge and solidarity! 💪
@Amina Toure Welcome to this incredible community! Your situation sounds so familiar - the changing "priorities comments" and gradual responsibility shifts are textbook pregnancy discrimination tactics. You re'absolutely not going crazy, and those physical symptoms anxiety, (headaches, elevated BP are) serious medical concerns that deserve attention. I m'relatively new here too, but this thread has been life-changing for understanding our rights and options. What really struck me from everyone s'experiences is how important it is to be very specific with your OB about the timeline - when symptoms started, how they ve'worsened since the workplace discrimination began, and the connection between stress and your physical health. The realization that we ve'EARNED these SDI/PFL benefits through our paycheck contributions has been so empowering for me too. It s'not about asking for help - it s'about claiming insurance we ve'already paid for when we have legitimate medical needs. When you meet with your OB, definitely mention those concerning blood pressure readings and ask them to document everything in your medical records. Several people here have successfully gotten early pregnancy disability when workplace stress was causing documented health complications, which could be an option if your symptoms continue. You re'so right that this community shows we have more power than we realize! It s'amazing how much clarity comes from knowing we re'not alone and that there are real pathways to protect both our health and financial security. Keep us posted on how your appointment goes - we re'all rooting for you! 💕
Protip: If you can, try calling right when they open. I got through pretty quick that way. Also, be super nice to the person who answers - they deal with angry people all day and being kind can go a long way!
I went through this exact process about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: call first thing in the morning (around 8:05 AM), have your social security number and original claim details ready, and don't hang up even if you get that "high call volume" message. Also, if your situation hasn't changed much from your original claim, mention that upfront - it seemed to speed things up for me. The whole process took about 10 days once I got through to someone. You got this! 💪
This is super helpful, thank you! @Dmitry Popov Quick follow-up question - when you say original "claim details, what" specific info should I have ready? Just want to make sure I m'not missing anything important when I call.
This is such valuable info, thank you for sharing! I'm expecting my first baby in April and just realized I need to update my name with EDD too - got married last summer but completely forgot about updating it with them. Quick question: did you need to bring any specific forms or just the marriage certificate? Also, do you know if they can update it the same day you file your PFL claim or do you have to make separate trips?
You can definitely do both on the same visit! I brought my marriage certificate (certified copy), driver's license, and social security card. The rep updated my name first, then I was able to file my PFL claim right after. Just make sure to bring all your PFL documents too - like your doctor's note for baby bonding and any employer forms. The whole process took about 30 minutes total. Congrats on your upcoming baby! 🎉
Just wanted to add another data point - I went through this exact same situation last month! Got married in December and needed to file PFL for January. The EDD office in Sacramento was actually pretty efficient - I went on a Wednesday around 10am and was in and out in 45 minutes including the name update and filing my claim. One thing that helped was having everything organized beforehand: marriage certificate in a folder, copies of my old and new ID, and all my PFL paperwork filled out. The rep told me that people who come prepared like that make the process so much smoother for everyone. She also mentioned they see this situation A LOT, especially with new parents, so don't feel embarrassed about it - you're definitely not alone!
This is so reassuring to hear! I'm also dealing with a name change situation after getting married recently, and I've been putting off going to the EDD office because I was worried it would be a nightmare. Your tip about organizing everything beforehand is really helpful - I'm definitely going to make copies of everything and have it all ready to go. It's good to know the staff are used to dealing with this! Did they give you any timeline on when the name change would be fully processed in their system, or was it immediate?
Carmen Flores
UPDATE: I found my form! It was in Benefits Programs Online, not UI Online. I had to go to the homepage, scroll down to Form 1099G section, then select the tax year. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone else looking - definitely check both systems and look specifically for the Form 1099G section on the homepage.
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Carmen Lopez
•This is so helpful! I'm currently on PFL for my newborn and was already stressing about tax season next year. Good to know about the Benefits Programs Online vs UI Online difference - I would have never thought to check both systems. Quick question for anyone who knows - do they send physical copies in the mail too, or is it only available online now?
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Brooklyn Foley
•@Carmen Lopez They re'supposed to mail physical copies by January 31st each year, but like many others have mentioned, EDD s'mailing can be unreliable. I d'recommend always checking online first since that s'usually more reliable than waiting for mail. If you need a physical copy for your records, you can always print the online version or request EDD to resend it. The online version has all the same information and is just as valid for tax purposes!
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Austin Leonard
This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently navigating the same situation - received both SDI for pregnancy and PFL for bonding last year, and I was completely confused about the tax forms. I had no idea about the two different EDD online systems (UI Online vs Benefits Programs Online) until reading this. Just logged into Benefits Programs Online and found my 1099-G right away! One thing I'm still unclear on though - I see some people mentioning 1099-G vs 1099-DE forms. Should I be looking for a specific form name, or are they essentially the same thing for tax purposes? Also, does anyone know if the taxable amount on the form includes the waiting period or just the actual benefit payments? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver for new parents trying to figure out all this bureaucracy!
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Zoe Walker
•@Austin Leonard Great question! From what I understand, both 1099-G and 1099-DE refer to the same tax document for EDD benefits - different people just use different names for it. For tax purposes, they serve the exact same function of reporting your taxable benefits. As for the waiting period, the form should only include actual benefit payments you received, not any unpaid waiting period days. The taxable amount reflects the total benefits paid out to you during that tax year. If you re'still unsure about the specific amounts, you can always cross-reference the form with your payment history in your Benefits Programs Online account to make sure everything matches up!
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Raúl Mora
•@Austin Leonard Just wanted to add my experience - I went through the exact same thing last year SDI (for pregnancy, then PFL for bonding .)The form you ll'find online is typically labeled as 1099-G in the Benefits Programs Online system, but it covers all your EDD benefits including SDI and PFL. Don t'stress too much about the naming - your tax software or preparer will know what to do with it! And yes, like @Zoe Walker mentioned, it only includes actual payments received, not waiting periods. One tip: if you switched between SDI and PFL during the same tax year like we did, make sure the total on your 1099-G reflects payments from both programs. Mine did automatically, but it s'worth double-checking against your payment history just to be safe!
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