I went through something similar with my second baby. The mental health extension paperwork can be confusing, but here's what helped me: I called my doctor's office and asked them to email me confirmation that they sent the DE2525XX form, along with the date they submitted it. Having that documentation gave me peace of mind while waiting for EDD to process everything. Also, don't feel guilty about needing the extension for PPD/PPA - this is exactly what the system is designed for. Taking care of your mental health IS taking care of your baby. The transition to PFL baby bonding will happen smoothly once your extended disability period ends, but focus on getting better first. Wishing you all the best! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD/PPA is incredibly tough and navigating EDD on top of it feels impossible sometimes. I just want to echo what others have said about not feeling guilty for needing this extension. Your mental health matters so much, especially with a new baby. One thing that helped me when I was in a similar situation was keeping a simple log on my phone of all the EDD-related calls and documentation. Just basic stuff like "2/18 - called doctor's office, confirmed they sent DE2525XX on 2/14" so I could reference it later if needed. The brain fog from PPD made it hard for me to remember details, and having it written down was a lifesaver. Also, if you haven't already, consider asking your OB about resources for new mom support groups in your area. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone in this journey helps with the anxiety around all the paperwork stuff. Hang in there mama! 💕

Hey Zara! Congrats on your pregnancy! I'm 6 months postpartum and just went through this whole process, so I totally get your anxiety about getting it right. Here's the thing that helped me the most - I created what I called my "EDD transition binder" during my third trimester. I printed out all the key info, forms, and deadlines so I wouldn't have to figure it out while sleep-deprived. The most important things to remember: - Report birth to EDD within a week (I did it 4 days after and was fine) - Your disability continues from actual delivery date, not estimated - Baby bonding PFL is a SEPARATE application - not automatic! - Apply for PFL 8-10 days before disability ends to avoid gaps One thing I wish someone had told me - after you report the birth, EDD might take a few days to update your account with the new disability end date. Don't panic if it doesn't change immediately! Also, keep checking your mail for any additional forms they might send. The online portal really is your best friend here. I did everything online and it was so much smoother than trying to call with a crying baby. You're already ahead of the game by planning this out now! You've got this mama! 💕

Hey Zara! Congrats on your pregnancy! I'm currently 28 weeks and have been obsessively researching this whole process too, so this thread has been incredibly helpful for me as well! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my sister's experience - when you're preparing that baby info packet that James mentioned, also include your EDD customer account number and claim number. She said having those readily available made the phone call to report the birth go much smoother since the rep could pull up her account immediately. Also, I've been keeping a pregnancy/EDD journal on my phone where I'm noting down all these tips and deadlines. Reading everyone's experiences here, it seems like the key things are: report birth within a week, apply for PFL 8-10 days before disability ends, use the online portal when possible, and give your doctor's office advance notice about the forms they'll need to complete. It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this process! I was feeling overwhelmed about potentially messing something up with EDD, but hearing all these real experiences makes it seem much more manageable. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this thread is like a complete guide for expectant moms dealing with EDD! 💕

I'm so glad to see this thread developed with so many helpful responses! As someone who just went through a similar PFL date correction experience last month, I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, you can also try sending a secure message through your UI Online account explaining the date error. While calling is definitely faster and more direct, I've had success with the secure messaging system for simple corrections like this. Just be very specific about what needs to be changed and include your claim confirmation number. They usually respond within 3-5 business days, though calling is still your best bet for urgent fixes. The early morning call strategy everyone's mentioned really does work - I got through at 8:05 AM on my first try. Hope this helps anyone else dealing with similar date issues!

Just wanted to follow up on this thread since it's been so incredibly helpful! I successfully got my date corrected this morning using all the advice here. Called EDD at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on my first try - the early morning strategy really works! The representative was super understanding and said date errors are extremely common with PFL claims. She transferred me to a claims specialist who made the correction from April 27 to May 27 while I was on the phone and gave me confirmation number #PFL-DC-2025-0329-1847. The whole process took about 18 minutes and I can already see the updated end date in my UI Online account. Thank you SO much to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this community is amazing! For anyone else who makes this mistake, don't panic - it really is a straightforward fix if you call early and have your paperwork ready. Miguel, Amara, Gabriel, Freya, and everyone else who helped - you literally saved my sanity and my benefits!

I went through almost the exact same thing at 29 weeks pregnant! My company gave us literally 2 hours notice before shutting down permanently. I was terrified about losing my maternity benefits, but it actually worked out fine. The most important thing I learned: being unemployed does NOT affect your SDI eligibility at all. You paid into the system for 7 years - that money is YOURS. The state disability insurance comes from your previous earnings, not your current employment status. Here's what saved me time and stress: 1. I applied for both unemployment AND SDI on the same day (unemployment for immediate income, SDI to start 4 weeks before due date) 2. I printed out my wage statements from my online portal before my company's systems went dark 3. I had my doctor's office put a rush on the medical certification One thing that surprised me - I actually got my first unemployment payment faster than I expected, which helped bridge the gap until SDI kicked in. Just remember to stop certifying for unemployment the week your disability benefits start. You're going to be okay! The timing is scary but the safety net exists for exactly this reason. Focus on your health and that baby - the paperwork stuff will sort itself out! 🤗

Oh honey, I'm so sorry this happened to you! What terrible timing, but please don't panic - you're going to be okay! I went through something similar when my employer suddenly filed for bankruptcy at 34 weeks. I was absolutely terrified, but it turns out that being laid off actually doesn't affect your SDI/PFL eligibility AT ALL. These are state programs that you've been paying into for 7 years through your paychecks - think of it as insurance you've already bought and paid for. Here's what I wish someone had told me right away: - Apply for SDI online ASAP (even before you're technically disabled) to get the paperwork started - Get your final paystub and any employment documentation before your company completely disappears - Your benefits are calculated based on your previous earnings, not current employment status - The timing actually works out okay since you weren't planning to start leave for a few more weeks anyway The hardest part for me was just not knowing what to expect, but once I understood that my job status didn't matter for disability benefits, it was such a relief. You've EARNED these benefits - they can't take them away from you! Take care of yourself and that baby. The state systems aren't perfect but they do work, and you're going to get through this! 💕

As someone who just went through this exact situation 3 months ago, I can't stress enough how important it is to avoid any unreported work during PFL. I was also struggling financially and considered doing some freelance work, but after calling EDD (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) they made it crystal clear that ANY income needs to be reported. The agent told me that even if you work just one day in a week, they'll reduce that week's benefit, and if you work 3+ days you get nothing for that entire week. What really opened my eyes was learning that they have systems that automatically flag discrepancies between your benefit periods and tax filings - it's not a matter of IF they'll find out, it's WHEN. Instead, I applied for WIC (took about 10 days to get approved), found a local food pantry that specifically helps new parents, and even got connected with a program through our hospital that provides formula vouchers for families in need. I also switched to store-brand formula which saved us about $40 per week. Those 8 weeks are SO precious and they really do fly by. Once you're back to work, you can drive Uber guilt-free without any risk to your benefits. Trust me, the peace of mind is worth way more than the extra cash would have been!

I'm also dealing with this exact dilemma with my 6-week-old! The financial pressure is so real - between formula, diapers, and all the unexpected baby expenses, it feels like our budget is stretched to the breaking point. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening though. The stories about overpayment penalties and audits are honestly terrifying. I had no idea EDD had such sophisticated systems for tracking unreported income! What's really helpful is learning about all these assistance programs I never knew existed. I'm definitely going to apply for WIC tomorrow and start calling around to local churches and community centers about baby supply programs. The tip about contacting formula companies directly for assistance programs is genius - I never would have thought of that! It's tough to swallow your pride and ask for help, but these responses have made it clear that the risks of gig work during PFL are just too high. Those overpayment bills could haunt us for years, whereas this financial crunch is temporary. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice - this thread has probably saved me from making a very costly mistake! 🙏