Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD.

I went through this exact same issue last month! What worked for me was logging into UI Online and looking for the "Report Issue" or "Contact EDD" section. There's usually a form where you can explain the date discrepancy and attach supporting documents like your separation notice or pay stubs. It took about 10 business days, but they eventually corrected my dates without me having to call. Worth trying before you spend hours on hold!

One more tip that helped me - create a calendar reminder for yourself at 4 weeks postpartum to check your EDD online account for the DE2501FP form. I also set another reminder at 5 weeks to call/download the form if it hadn't arrived yet. Having those reminders saved me from the stress of suddenly realizing my disability benefits were ending without the PFL paperwork ready. The last few weeks with a newborn are such a blur that it's easy to lose track of these important deadlines! Also, if you have a partner or family member who can help track these dates, even better - teamwork makes the whole process less overwhelming.

As someone who just went through this transition 3 months ago, I want to emphasize how important it is to stay organized during this process! I created a simple folder (both physical and digital) with all my EDD documents, doctor's notes, and important dates. This saved me so much stress when I had questions or needed to reference something quickly. Also, don't hesitate to ask your doctor's office to help clarify the timeline - they deal with these disability certifications all the time and can often give you a clearer picture of when your post-birth recovery period will end. My OB's office was actually more helpful than EDD in explaining the process! One last thing - if you're planning to take the full 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL, make sure your employer knows the timeline so they can plan accordingly. Good luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

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! 💕

Good luck!!! It really was like night and day difference between dealing with EDD directly vs having the assembly rep involved. Hope you get it resolved quickly!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm a new parent who just started my baby bonding leave and was considering the Money Network card for convenience, but after reading all these horror stories I'm definitely switching to paper checks ASAP. Does anyone know approximately how long it takes for the DE 5800 form to be processed? I've only received one payment so far on the card, so I'm hoping I can switch before more payments come through. Also, @Juan Moreno - thank you for mentioning the CFPB option, I had no idea we could report these issues there!

Does anyone know if theres a way to check the status of your claim online? I submitted mine weeks ago and havent heard anything back 😕

Just went through this process myself a few months ago! One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - make sure your doctor fills out the medical certificate completely and legibly. My first one got rejected because the doc's handwriting was illegible and they missed a required field. Had to go back and get it redone, which delayed my whole claim by like 2 weeks. Also, if you're planning to take leave consecutively (like one parent right after the other), coordinate your start/end dates carefully so there's no gap in coverage. Good luck with everything! 🍼