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?

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!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here but have been following this discussion closely since I'm currently navigating a similar situation - just started a new job at 5 months pregnant after a brief unemployment period. One thing that's been really helpful for me is setting up alerts in my phone calendar for all the key dates and deadlines. Based on what everyone has shared, I have reminders set for when to file SDI (around 36 weeks), when to expect potential waiting periods between benefits, and even when to start gathering the different forms my doctor will need to complete. I also wanted to mention that when I was job searching while pregnant, I found it helpful to research potential employers' employee handbooks online (sometimes available through their careers page) to get a sense of their family leave policies before even applying. Some companies go above and beyond the state requirements, while others do the bare minimum. Your 12 years of work history definitely puts you in a strong position for all the benefits - that's actually better than most people have when they go through this process! The timing with the job change is tricky, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds completely manageable with proper planning and documentation. Wishing you the best as you navigate this process, and thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread has been incredibly educational! 🤗

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my perspective as someone who just went through a very similar situation! I was laid off at 5.5 months pregnant earlier this year and successfully navigated UI → new job → SDI → PFL. Reading through this thread brings back so many memories of the stress and confusion I felt, but I want to reassure you that with your 12 years of work history, you're in an excellent position for all benefits! A few things that really helped me: - I created a simple timeline document with all the key dates (when to file each benefit, doctor appointments, etc.) and shared it with my partner so we were both prepared - When I got my new job offer, I was honest about my pregnancy and upcoming leave needs RIGHT in the offer discussion - it felt scary but they actually appreciated the transparency - I set up accounts in both UI Online and SDI Online early so I was ready for each transition The hardest part emotionally was feeling like I was "starting over" professionally while pregnant, but honestly, having those benefits as a safety net made such a huge difference. Your situation is totally manageable - the administrative complexity is the biggest challenge, not the eligibility! One practical tip: start gathering all your pay stubs from your previous job now, even if you don't need them immediately. Having everything organized made each application process so much smoother. You've got this! This community has been such a great resource for real-world advice. 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim about 3 weeks ago and it's been complete silence since then. The anxiety is real when you're counting on that money for bills. I've been trying the phone number every day with no luck - either busy signals or I get disconnected after waiting for hours. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful though - I had no idea about contacting assembly members or trying different times to call. I'm definitely going to try that 1:30pm calling time that @Fatima Al-Sayed mentioned, and I love the idea of asking disability to transfer you. Going to start documenting everything from now on too. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but at least we're all helping each other figure it out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips! 🙏

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed my PFL claim over a month ago and it's like it vanished into thin air. The lack of communication is the worst part - you don't know if there's an error, if you're missing something, or if it's just sitting in a massive backlog somewhere. I've tried calling at different times but keep getting the runaround. Reading everyone's suggestions here has been incredibly helpful though! I had no idea about the assembly member option or using auto-redial apps. Going to try the fax route too since the online system seems so glitchy. It's honestly ridiculous that we need a PhD in bureaucracy just to access benefits we're entitled to, but I'm grateful for this community where we can share strategies and support each other through this mess. Hang in there everyone - persistence seems to be key even when the system feels designed to wear us down! 💪

Anyone else feel like they're playing the lottery every time they try to call EDD? 😅

I'm in the exact same boat! Filed my claim 6 weeks ago and still nothing. What's really frustrating is that I can't even get a clear timeline from anyone. My coworker got her payments within 3 weeks, but mine seems to be stuck in some kind of limbo. Has anyone tried contacting their state assembly member's office? I've heard they sometimes have a direct line to EDD that can help move things along faster.

Congratulations on your new baby boy! 🎉 I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant and this thread has been such a lifesaver - I was completely clueless about the SDI to PFL transition process until reading all of your experiences! The consistent advice about timing the PFL application around week 4 postpartum (rather than waiting for the 6-week checkup) is going to save me from what sounds like a very common and stressful mistake. It's honestly shocking how many healthcare providers seem to give advice that leads to benefit gaps without understanding how the EDD system actually works. Based on everyone's experiences, I'm planning to: - Apply for PFL baby bonding (DE2508) around week 4 postpartum - Use the SDI Online account and look for the separate PFL section - Select "immediately after current SDI ends" to avoid gaps - Not wait for the 6-week postpartum appointment despite what my doctor might suggest Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and timing mistakes - this kind of practical advice is so much more valuable than trying to decode the confusing official EDD information. You're literally helping future parents avoid financial stress during an already overwhelming time! To the original poster - enjoy those precious newborn snuggles and don't stress too much about the paperwork. It sounds like you're thinking about it at exactly the right time! 💕

Congratulations on your baby boy! 🎉 I'm currently going through this exact situation right now - just had my little one 2 weeks ago and was equally confused about the whole process! From what I've learned (and confirmed by reading this amazing thread), you don't need to notify EDD about the birth while you're still on SDI pregnancy disability. Your doctor handles that part automatically through their medical records. Since you had a vaginal delivery, your SDI will continue for the full 6 weeks postpartum. The key insight I got from everyone here is to start your PFL baby bonding application (DE2508) around week 4 postpartum through your SDI Online account - there's a separate PFL section to look for. I'm planning to file mine in about 2 weeks and will definitely select "immediately after current SDI ends" to avoid any payment gaps. It's wild how many people (including doctors!) don't understand that these are completely separate benefits that require separate applications! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences in this thread - you've all saved me from making the same costly timing mistakes. The real-world advice here is infinitely better than trying to navigate the confusing EDD website alone! Hope your transition goes smoothly! 💕