back to original question - my sister works for a district in northern cali and said some districts have opted out of SDI completely so check your district policy too. if they opted out, you might be eligible for different benefits thru the district instead of EDD.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation! I was a substitute teacher who got moved to a "temporary" office position at my district for over 18 months, and I was so worried about benefits when I got pregnant. The good news is that your employment classification (permanent vs non-permanent) has zero impact on EDD eligibility - it's all about those SDI contributions you mentioned seeing on your paystub! One tip that really helped me: start gathering your documents early. You'll want recent paystubs, your doctor's contact info, and your expected due date ready when you file. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - you have some flexibility with when to start your leave. I ended up working until 38 weeks because I felt fine, and it worked out great. The school district HR departments can be notoriously unhelpful with EDD questions (mine told me to "just call EDD" 🙄), but the process is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. You've got this!

To answer your follow-up question - yes, EDD will notify you when your PFL claim is approved. You'll get an email notification (if you opted for electronic communications) and a letter in the mail. You can also check your claim status online, but the system isn't always updated in real-time. PFL claims are taking anywhere from 7-21 days to process right now. They're supposed to be processed within 14 days, but there's often a backlog, especially at the beginning of the year.

Hey there! Congrats on your new baby! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and totally understand the confusion. You're absolutely making the right choice by NOT certifying for those UI weeks - everyone here has given you solid advice about avoiding the double-dipping issue. Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me during the waiting period: - Make sure you have all your baby's documentation ready (birth certificate, etc.) in case EDD requests additional verification - Keep screenshots of your PFL application confirmation and any reference numbers - If you're breastfeeding, remember that your PFL baby bonding can run up to 8 weeks, so plan accordingly The wait is definitely nerve-wracking (mine took about 2.5 weeks), but once it processes you'll get backdated payments to your start date. Hang in there - you're doing everything right! Focus on enjoying those precious newborn days instead of stressing about EDD 💕

I feel your pain, OP. The waiting game with EDD is the worst. While you're waiting, make sure you're keeping detailed records of your caregiving duties. It might help if they need more info later. Hang in there! 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim about 4 weeks ago and it's been radio silence. It's so stressful not knowing what's happening, especially when you're already dealing with a family member who needs care. I've been checking the online portal daily but the status just says "pending" with no other details. Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature, or is calling really the only way to get answers? This whole process feels broken when people who need help are left hanging for months. 😤

Just wanted to follow up - I think there's some confusion in the comments about terminology that might be making your search for help harder. For pregnancy-related benefits, you first get Pregnancy Disability Leave (SDI) for 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after birth depending on delivery type. Then you transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding (8 weeks). They're both administered by EDD but processed by different departments with different phone numbers. Since you mentioned you've only received one SDI payment so far, you need to speak with the Disability Insurance office first to fix those payments before dealing with PFL. The number for DI is 1-800-480-3287. Once your SDI is sorted out, then you can address the PFL portion.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - the stress of dealing with EDD while caring for a newborn is absolutely crushing. I went through something similar last year with my daughter's PFL claim. Here's what finally worked for me after 2+ months of hell: I contacted my state assembly member's office AND my state senator's office simultaneously. Don't just email - call both offices and ask to speak with their constituent services team about an urgent EDD matter. Tell them you're a new mom with zero income for 4+ months and need immediate intervention. In my experience, the senator's office had more pull with EDD than the assembly office. Also, when you do get through to EDD (using the tips others shared), ask them to escalate your case to a "Tier 2" specialist immediately. Don't let them tell you to wait - insist that 4 months without payment constitutes an emergency. Document everything - dates, times, names of who you spoke with. You've got this mama, and your persistence WILL pay off! ❤️

I just want to say i had my baby 3 months ago and i found the whole process MADDENING. my disability claim was easy but then the transition to PFL was a total disaster. basically dont count on anything happening automatically - be proactive about everything! and congrats on the baby!! that part is amazing even if the paperwork is a nightmare lol

Hey Lukas! I'm a new mom who just went through this exact same process a few months ago, and I totally understand your confusion! The whole system is really poorly explained. Here's what I learned from my experience: You're absolutely right to be thinking about this now, but you don't need to DO anything yet. Right now you're on pregnancy disability (SDI), which will continue for 6-8 weeks after birth depending on your delivery type. The key thing is to stay organized and proactive. I'd suggest: 1. Create a folder (physical or digital) to keep all your EDD documents together 2. Mark your calendar for when your disability period should end (6-8 weeks post-birth) 3. About a week before that date, ask your doctor for your release form 4. File your PFL claim online the same day you get released Don't stress too much about the timing right now - you've got this! Focus on the baby prep and cross this bridge when you get there. The most important thing is being ready to act quickly once your disability ends so you don't have a gap in payments. Good luck with everything, and congratulations on your upcoming little one! 💕