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'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly isolating and you're being so brave by advocating for yourself when everything feels impossible. I just went through this exact process with Kaiser about 3 months ago and wanted to share what helped me navigate their system. That therapist session sounds painfully familiar! Mine also kept wanting to explore my childhood relationship with my parents when I was literally telling her about panic attacks and intrusive thoughts about my baby. It's so frustrating when you're in crisis and they have this cookie-cutter approach that completely misses postpartum mental health emergencies. Here's what actually worked for me with the psychiatrist: **Be super direct from the first minute:** Start by saying exactly "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Some providers don't even realize this is an option unless you spell it out clearly. **Come prepared with specific work-related examples:** Write down how your symptoms prevent you from doing your job - things like "can't focus on computer tasks for more than 5 minutes," "making basic decisions takes hours," "anxiety prevents restorative sleep which impacts cognitive function during work hours." EDD needs to see functional impairment, not just general sadness. **Ask for form DE2501 by name** and request they submit it electronically to EDD (much faster than mail). My psychiatrist ended up being really helpful once I was clear about what I needed. I got approved for an 8-week extension which was absolutely life-changing for my recovery. I also started on Lexapro which was completely safe with breastfeeding according to both my psychiatrist and my baby's pediatrician. You're doing exactly the right thing by prioritizing your mental health right now. Your baby needs you healthy and whole, not just physically present. This extension can give you the crucial time you need to actually heal and become the mom you want to be. Hang in there mama - you're going to get through this! 💕

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - PPD is absolutely exhausting and trying to navigate Kaiser's system while you're barely functioning feels overwhelming. I went through this exact situation about 7 months ago and want you to know that it IS possible to get the extension you need, even with Kaiser's frustrating mental health system. That therapist appointment sounds infuriatingly typical! Mine also kept diving into childhood trauma when I was literally telling her about intrusive thoughts and panic attacks. It's like they have this standard script that completely ignores the urgency of postpartum mental health crises. Don't let that discourage you - the psychiatrist will be totally different. Here's what worked for me: **Be direct from the very beginning:** Start your psychiatrist appointment by saying exactly "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Don't assume they know why you're there - some providers aren't even familiar with this process. **Come with written examples of work impairment:** I brought a detailed list of how my symptoms specifically prevented me from doing my job - things like "can't concentrate on emails for more than 3 minutes," "decision-making paralysis for basic work tasks," "anxiety prevents restorative sleep which severely impacts daytime cognitive function." EDD needs to see concrete functional impairment, not just general emotional distress. **Ask for the DE2501 form specifically** and request they submit it electronically to EDD (much faster than mail). My psychiatrist was actually really understanding once I was clear about what I needed. I ended up getting approved for a 9-week extension which was absolutely life-saving for my recovery. I also started on Zoloft which was completely safe with breastfeeding and made a tremendous difference in my symptoms. The whole process feels impossible when you're barely holding it together, but you're doing exactly the right thing by advocating for yourself and your baby. Taking time to properly heal IS being a good mother. Your baby needs you healthy and whole, not just physically present. Hang in there mama - you're going to get through this! 💜