Oh honey, I feel your panic! I was in the EXACT same boat at 35 weeks with my first - totally spaced on the EDD stuff while focusing on getting the nursery ready and baby prep. Here's what you need to know to calm those nerves: You're actually NOT too late! You can apply for SDI up to 9 days before you stop working, so you have time. Here's your action plan: 1. Go to edd.ca.gov RIGHT NOW and create an SDI Online account. Start filling out form DE2501 - you don't have to finish it all at once, just get started. 2. At your next OB appointment, tell your doctor you need the medical certification portion completed. They do this all the time and know exactly what to fill out. 3. Since your HR person is out, send an email to your manager explaining your maternity leave timeline and ask about company policy. Keep it professional but get their response in writing. 4. You'll get about 60-70% of your wages through SDI for pregnancy disability, then transition to PFL for baby bonding after you recover. 5. The whole process is done online now, which makes it much easier than the old mail-in system. I know it feels overwhelming, but literally thousands of California moms go through this exact process every month. The system is designed for this! You're being super responsible by starting at 36 weeks instead of waiting until you're in active labor like some people do. Take a deep breath - you've got this mama! 💪✨

You're definitely not alone in this panic! I just went through the exact same thing at 38 weeks and somehow managed to get everything sorted out in time. Here's what helped me get organized quickly: First, create your SDI Online account at edd.ca.gov TODAY - don't wait until you have all the answers. You can start the DE2501 form and save your progress. The system will walk you through most of it step by step. Second, call your OB office ASAP and ask them to email you the medical certification form (DE2501A) so you can review it before your appointment. Most offices are super familiar with this process and can complete it same-day if you explain your timeline. For the timing - you can actually start SDI benefits up to 4 weeks before your due date if your doctor certifies you're unable to work due to pregnancy. Since you're 36 weeks, you could potentially start now if you're feeling ready to stop working, or wait until closer to your due date. The key thing to remember: SDI first for pregnancy disability (4 weeks before + 6-8 weeks after delivery), then PFL for baby bonding (up to 8 additional weeks). Each requires a separate application, but the system will guide you through the transition. And honestly? Starting this at 36 weeks makes you MORE prepared than a lot of people - I've seen women trying to figure this out while in active labor! You've got time to get it right. Take a deep breath - the hardest part is just getting started! 💙

When I was on PFL last month my neighbor told me we dont have to certify anymore but that was WRONG! Thank god I checked my online account and saw the certify button or I would have missed out on money we needed badly. So yes definitely certify every 2 weeks!

I'm a new mom who just went through this process a few months ago! Yes, you absolutely need to certify every two weeks for PFL - it's not automatic at all. The good news is that the PFL certification is much easier than SDI - you basically just confirm you're still bonding with your baby and haven't returned to work. My advice: Log into your EDD account the day your certification opens (usually every other Sunday) and do it right away. Don't wait! I made the mistake of putting it off once and almost forgot completely. Also, bookmark the EDD login page on your phone so you can easily access it during those middle-of-the-night feeding sessions when you might remember "oh shoot, I need to certify tomorrow!" The payments usually hit your account 2-3 business days after you certify, so you can plan your budget around that timeline. Congrats on your upcoming baby bonding time - it goes by so fast, but those payments really help make it possible to focus on your little one instead of worrying about money!

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. Losing your husband so suddenly is devastating, and trying to navigate all of this while caring for your children and processing your own grief is overwhelming beyond words. I wanted to share something that might help with the immediate financial pressure you're facing. Many funeral homes and crematoriums have social workers on staff who are specifically trained to help families access emergency benefits quickly. They deal with situations like yours regularly and often have direct contacts at agencies that can expedite applications. If you're still working with a funeral director, ask if they have someone who can help with benefit applications - they sometimes know about expedited processes that aren't widely known. Also, I haven't seen anyone mention this yet, but if your husband was employed at the time of his passing, you should contact his HR department immediately about any final paycheck, unused vacation pay, or continuation of health insurance through COBRA. Some employers also have death benefits or emergency assistance funds for families of employees. Getting these details sorted quickly can provide some immediate financial relief while you wait for government benefits to process. The advice everyone has given you about PFL, SDI, Social Security survivor benefits, and local resources is excellent. You have a whole roadmap now, but please don't feel like you have to tackle everything at once. Focus on getting through each day with your children, and handle one or two calls when you have the emotional energy. You're being such a strong parent during an unimaginable tragedy. Please lean on all the help being offered - you and your children deserve every bit of support available.

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. Reading through all the incredibly helpful advice here, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be useful. As someone who works in mental health advocacy, I've seen families in similar situations, and I want to emphasize that what you're experiencing - being unable to focus at work, breaking down, feeling overwhelmed - these are completely normal responses to such a devastating loss, and they can absolutely qualify as symptoms requiring medical attention. When you speak with your doctor or your children's pediatrician, be very specific about the functional impacts. For you: inability to concentrate at work, frequent crying episodes, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, etc. For your children: changes in sleep patterns, school performance, appetite, social withdrawal, behavioral changes. These concrete examples help healthcare providers understand the severity and document the need for time off to address these conditions. Also, many therapists and counselors are very familiar with PFL/SDI documentation requirements because they work with grieving families regularly. If you decide to start counseling for yourself or your children (which could be incredibly helpful regardless of the benefits), ask specifically about their experience with disability documentation. One last thought - consider asking your sister or another trusted person to attend some of these medical appointments with you. Grief can make it hard to remember important details or advocate for yourself effectively, and having someone there as your support person can be really valuable. You're showing incredible strength by seeking help for your family during this tragedy. Please don't hesitate to use every resource available to you - that's exactly what they're there for.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a somewhat different situation but wanted to share in case it helps anyone else. I had an old SDI overpayment (not unemployment) from 2021 that I was still paying off when I went on maternity leave last year. What I discovered is that EDD treats all overpayments the same way regardless of which program they're from - UI, SDI, PFL, etc. So even though my overpayment was from State Disability Insurance, it still affected my PFL benefits initially. However, I was able to get it resolved by calling the overpayment collections line (the separate number someone mentioned earlier - 1-866-962-0741) and explaining my situation. They were able to put a temporary hold on collections during my maternity leave period, which allowed me to receive my full PFL benefits. The key was calling them BEFORE I filed my PFL claim and getting the arrangement set up in advance. Once I returned to work, the collections resumed automatically. It saved me so much stress during those first few months with my baby. For anyone dealing with any type of EDD overpayment (not just unemployment), that collections line is definitely worth calling to discuss your options. They seem to have more flexibility than the regular benefits line when it comes to working out arrangements.

I'm currently in a very similar situation and this thread has been so helpful! I have an unemployment overpayment from 2020 that I've been paying off monthly, and I'm due in January 2025. Reading everyone's experiences has given me a much clearer picture of what to expect. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to make a large payment in December to get my balance to zero before filing any claims. The tip about calling the overpayment collections line (1-866-962-0741) to get my exact balance and explore options has been a game-changer - I had no idea that line existed! One question for those who have been through this: when you got written confirmation of your zero balance, did you request it through the collections line or the main EDD line? I want to make sure I'm asking the right department for the documentation I'll need. Also, has anyone had experience with the timing between pregnancy disability and PFL claims when there was a previous overpayment history? I'm wondering if I should expect any delays between the two benefit periods even if my account is clear. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not alone in dealing with this situation and that there are concrete steps I can take to avoid issues!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 2 months ago and it feels like I'm stuck in limbo. The phone system is absolutely brutal - I've probably made 50+ calls and only gotten through once, just to be told they needed more documentation (which I had already submitted twice). One thing that's helped me stay organized is creating a spreadsheet with all my call attempts, confirmation numbers, and what was discussed each time. Also screenshot everything in your online account - I've had things mysteriously disappear from my portal before. Has anyone tried faxing documents instead of uploading them online? I'm wondering if that might be more reliable. At this point I'm willing to try anything! 😩

I'm dealing with the same frustration! Been waiting 8 weeks now and it's driving me crazy. One thing that helped me was calling the disability insurance number (1-800-480-3287) instead of the main PFL line - sometimes they can transfer you or give you updates since PFL claims go through the same system. Also, if you have a case worker assigned, try asking for their direct extension when you do get through. I finally got one after my 4th successful call and it's been a game changer for follow-ups. The whole system definitely needs an overhaul, but hang in there! You'll get through eventually. Keep detailed records of everything like others mentioned - it really does help when you finally talk to someone. Good luck! 🤞