I'm going through this exact same situation and this thread has been such a lifesaver! I was on pregnancy disability from July through September 2024, then transitioned to PFL for baby bonding through December. Like so many others here, I had no idea about the tax withholding option when I applied - I was just focused on getting through the application while dealing with morning sickness and then recovery. Reading everyone's experiences has really helped me understand that I need to report my two 1099-G forms separately and that both benefits are federally taxable but CA state exempt. The 12-15% federal tax estimates people are sharing are actually really helpful for planning, even though it's scary to think about owing that much when we're already adjusting our budget for a new baby. I'm planning to use TurboTax based on all the positive feedback here about how it handles EDD benefits correctly. And I'm definitely going to look into those tax credits everyone mentioned - it's encouraging to know that having lower income from leave and a new baby might actually help us qualify for credits that could offset some of the tax liability. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't provide any guidance on the tax implications when you're applying, especially when you're already overwhelmed with everything else that comes with having a baby.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was on pregnancy disability from June through August 2024, then switched to PFL for baby bonding through December. Like everyone else here, I didn't realize I needed to elect tax withholding when I applied - I was so focused on just getting the benefits approved while dealing with pregnancy complications and then a newborn. Reading through all these responses has really clarified things for me. Now I understand that I need to report my two 1099-G forms separately (one for SDI, one for PFL) and that both are federally taxable but California state exempt. The estimates of owing 12-15% in federal taxes are helpful to know for budgeting, even though it's not what any new parent wants to hear! I'm planning to use TurboTax since so many people here have had success with how it handles EDD benefits correctly. And I'm definitely going to make sure I explore all the potential tax credits - it's encouraging to know that having lower income from extended leave plus a new baby might actually help us qualify for credits like the Child Tax Credit and EITC that could offset some of the tax liability. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! It's honestly frustrating that EDD doesn't explain any of these tax implications when you're applying, especially when you're already overwhelmed with everything that comes with having a baby. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating this confusing process!

This thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I'm currently 5 weeks into my PFL bonding time and have been panicking about my return to work because I'm still dealing with severe postpartum joint pain and fatigue that my doctor says could take months to resolve. I had completely given up hope and thought I'd have to choose between my health and financial stability, but reading everyone's detailed experiences here has shown me there might actually be a path forward. The specific advice about working with specialists, being detailed about functional limitations, and applying 10 days before PFL ends is exactly what I needed to know. What gives me the most hope is seeing how many different types of legitimate complications have been successfully covered - it's clear that when properly documented, the system does recognize that some people need more recovery time than the standard timeline allows. I'm scheduling appointments with both my rheumatologist and OB next week to start preparing my documentation. The tip about downloading the DE2501 form ahead of time and bringing specific requirements to help doctors fill it out properly is brilliant - I never would have thought of that! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share such detailed, practical advice. This community support is incredible and honestly feels like a lifeline when you're trying to navigate such a complex system while recovering from childbirth. You're all amazing! 💕

This is such valuable information! I'm currently 3 weeks into my PFL bonding time and had no idea this was even possible. I've been dealing with ongoing pelvic floor dysfunction that's making it impossible to sit for long periods (which is basically my entire job as a software developer), but my doctor just keeps saying "give it more time" without explaining any options for extending benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences about working with specialists and getting detailed documentation gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to ask for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist and start preparing the DE2501 form documentation early based on all the advice here. The tip about applying 10 days before PFL ends to minimize gaps is so helpful - I wouldn't have thought to be that proactive! Also really appreciate everyone emphasizing not to feel guilty about needing more recovery time. The pressure to "bounce back" quickly is so real, but every situation is different. Thank you to this amazing community for sharing such detailed, practical guidance. This thread is literally a lifesaver for moms trying to navigate these complex systems! 💕

Just wanted to jump in and say this thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - payment shows as issued 6 days ago but nothing in my account yet. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much hope that this will get resolved. I never realized how many technical hiccups could cause delays between EDD issuing a payment and it actually hitting your bank account. I'm going to work through all the suggestions here: checking with my bank for holds, verifying my routing number, calling that automated line, and just being more patient with the processing times. It's such a relief to know this is common and usually resolves itself. Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories and solutions! 💙

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My payment was issued 4 days ago according to my EDD portal, but still nothing in my bank account. This thread is honestly a goldmine of information - I had no idea there were so many potential reasons for delays beyond just "EDD is slow." Based on everyone's advice, here's my game plan: 1. Call my bank first to check if they flagged or rejected the deposit 2. Verify my routing number is still current (great catch on this!) 3. Try that automated EDD line (1-866-333-4606) for more detailed payment status 4. Check the payment history section on my EDD account for additional details 5. Be more patient with weekend/holiday processing delays It's so stressful when you're counting on that money, but reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that this will get sorted out. Will definitely update this thread once I figure out what the issue was in case it helps others! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community support is amazing! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation - losing your job while on maternity leave is incredibly stressful! This thread has become such an amazing resource with so much helpful information. I went through something similar last year and wanted to add a few things that helped me. First, when you apply for unemployment, be prepared that they might ask you to verify your ability to work despite having a newborn - I had to explain my childcare arrangements during my phone interview. Second, if you do end up pursuing the legal angle, keep in mind that some attorneys specialize specifically in pregnancy discrimination cases and might be more familiar with the nuances of CFRA/PDL violations. Third, don't forget to apply for any state benefits you might be eligible for - things like reduced-cost childcare, utility assistance, or even temporary food assistance can really help during the transition period. The fact that you're asking these questions now and planning ahead shows you're going to successfully navigate this challenge. Having a new baby is hard enough without job uncertainty, but based on everything shared here, you definitely have solid options for moving forward. Hang in there!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! Based on all the excellent advice shared here, it sounds like you have a clear path forward. I wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was dealing with unemployment issues - the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board website has some really helpful FAQs about transitioning from disability benefits to unemployment that might give you additional confidence about your situation. Also, since you mentioned being anxious about the financial gap, you might want to check if your local utility companies offer any payment assistance programs for new parents or people receiving unemployment benefits - some will defer payments or offer reduced rates during hardship periods. The level of support and practical advice in this thread is incredible, and it's clear you're taking all the right steps to protect yourself and your family. You've got this, and remember that you've worked and contributed to these safety net programs - you absolutely deserve to use them when you need support!

I'm a new mom who went through this exact situation 8 months ago and I'm so glad you asked this question! The timing confusion is real and it almost cost me thousands in benefits I was entitled to. Here's what I learned: You MUST file your SDI claim within 49 days of your doctor certifying your pregnancy disability (usually around 36 weeks pregnant), even if your employer is paying you 100% salary. This deadline is based on your disability start date, NOT when your company benefits end. I made the mistake of thinking my company's "100% pay" policy meant I didn't need state benefits at all. Turns out my employer was actually coordinating with state benefits behind the scenes - they were supplementing the SDI payments to bring me up to full salary. If I had waited until my company leave ended, I would have missed the filing window completely and lost out on about $5,000 in benefits. My advice: File your DE2501 form as soon as your doctor provides that pregnancy disability certification, regardless of what your HR says about company policy. You can always sort out the payment coordination later, but that 49-day deadline is non-negotiable. Also ask your HR directly: "Do I need to file for state benefits while receiving company pay?" and get their answer in writing. Don't let generous employer benefits trick you into missing state benefits you've been paying into through your paycheck deductions. File early and ask questions later - your future self will thank you! 💕

I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant and reading through all these responses has been such a wake-up call! My company also offers full pay during maternity leave and I was definitely planning to wait until those benefits ended before thinking about state benefits. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - I had no idea about the 49-day deadline from disability certification date! I'm scheduling a meeting with HR this week to clarify exactly how our company's policy works with state benefits. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the safest approach is to file the SDI claim as soon as my doctor certifies my disability around 36 weeks, even if I'm getting 100% pay from my employer. One follow-up question - for those whose companies did coordinate benefits behind the scenes, did you notice any difference in your paystubs or was it completely transparent? I'm trying to understand what to expect when I start receiving both employer and potentially state payments. Thanks again for all the helpful advice! 🙏