Hey Alice! I just went through this whole process 6 months ago with twins and preeclampsia. The stress is real but you're asking all the right questions! Here's my biggest piece of advice: Download the EDD mobile app AND bookmark the desktop site. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. I literally had to switch between them multiple times during my application process. Also, once you get your claim number, write it down in like 5 different places. You'll need it for EVERYTHING and if you lose it, getting through to customer service to retrieve it is nearly impossible. One thing I don't see mentioned yet - if you work from home or have a desk job, EDD might question why you can't work with high-risk pregnancy. My doctor had to write a super detailed letter explaining how even sitting at a computer for 8 hours could worsen my blood pressure. Just something to keep in mind when you talk to your OB about the certification! The whole thing is scary at first but honestly once the payments start coming in regularly, it's such a relief. You're going to be fine - just stay on top of the paperwork and don't be afraid to call your doctor's office to follow up! 🤗

Hi Alice! I'm currently going through a similar situation - 20 weeks with gestational diabetes and my doctor just mentioned I might need early leave too. Reading through all these responses is honestly both helpful and terrifying! 😅 One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my HR department: if you're planning to use any vacation time or sick leave to supplement your SDI benefits, make sure to coordinate that with your employer BEFORE you file your SDI claim. Some companies require you to use up accrued time first, while others let you save it for after your disability benefits end. Also, I've been keeping a pregnancy journal with all my symptoms and doctor visits documented - my sister (who's a lawyer) suggested this could be helpful if there are any questions about medical necessity later on. Might be worth starting one now if you haven't already! The amount of information to track is overwhelming but everyone here seems to have made it through okay. Sending you positive vibes for a smooth process and healthy pregnancy! 💕

I just wanted to add my experience as someone who had a very similar dual-job situation last year! One thing that really saved me stress was creating a "PFL prep checklist" that included things like gathering all my wage statements, scheduling the doctor appointment early, and even preparing a simple one-page summary for my doctor about both jobs and their physical requirements. Another tip that helped me: I actually called both of my employers' HR departments before I filed anything, just to let them know my timeline and ask about any company-specific policies. My main job had a supplemental benefit I didn't even know about, and my part-time job was super accommodating about flexible deadlines during my final weeks of pregnancy. The process seems overwhelming at first, but you're already on the right track by asking questions and planning ahead. The key is just staying organized and being completely transparent about your work situation on all the forms. You've got this, and congratulations on your upcoming little one! 🍼

I'm jumping in as someone who just completed this exact process 3 months ago with twins! What really helped me was creating a dedicated email folder for all EDD correspondence and taking screenshots of everything I submitted online. The system can be glitchy and having your own digital trail is a lifesaver. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: when you transition from PDL to PFL after birth, there's sometimes a gap where you might not receive payments for a week or two while they process the new claim. Plan your budget accordingly! Also, your PFL benefits might be calculated differently than your PDL benefits depending on your base period wages, so don't assume they'll be the same amount. The fact that you're planning this out so thoroughly at 36 weeks shows you're going to navigate this successfully. Just remember to be patient with the system - it's not perfect, but the benefits are definitely worth the paperwork hassle. You're doing everything right by asking these questions now rather than scrambling at the last minute!

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.