Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this thread closely since I'm also expecting and trying to figure out all these EDD requirements. Your question really resonated with me because I was confused about the same timing issue! From everything I've read here, it sounds like you can definitely file tomorrow (your first official day off work) - the 7-day waiting period is just about when you start receiving payments, not when you can submit your claim. I've been taking notes on all the great advice shared here, and the key points seem to be: file online as soon as possible, make sure your doctor faxes the medical certification directly to EDD rather than submitting it yourself, take screenshots of everything during the filing process, and budget for about 3 weeks without payment to account for both the waiting period and processing time. It's definitely nerve-wracking dealing with all this paperwork when you should be focusing on your baby, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated this process (even with some bumps along the way) is really encouraging. The community here has been incredibly helpful in breaking down what can feel like an overwhelming system! Wishing you a smooth delivery and hoping your claim processes quickly! Thanks for asking the questions many of us newcomers are wondering about too! 💕

Congratulations on your baby coming tomorrow! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the incredibly helpful advice everyone has shared, and it's clear you're in good hands here! From what I've learned lurking in this community, you can absolutely file your claim tomorrow - the 7-day waiting period is just about when benefits start paying out, not when you can submit. The consensus seems to be: file online at edd.ca.gov the day after your last work day (so tomorrow!), but you won't receive payment for those first 7 days. One thing I noticed from everyone's experiences is how important it is to have your doctor's office fax the medical certification directly to EDD rather than submitting it yourself online - this seems to prevent a lot of delays and "lost paperwork" issues that several people mentioned. I'm not due until later this year, but this whole thread has been like a masterclass in EDD navigation! It's so valuable hearing real experiences from people who've actually been through this process rather than trying to decode government websites alone. Wishing you a smooth delivery and hoping your claim processes quickly! Thank you for asking the questions many of us newcomers are wondering about - this discussion has been incredibly educational! 💕

I'm in almost the identical situation and this entire conversation has been such a lifesaver! My SDI ends in about a week and I have a 2.5 week gap before my planned return date. I also had a c-section and have been dealing with some ongoing recovery issues that I wasn't sure were worth mentioning to my doctor. After reading through all these amazing responses, I think I have a much clearer path forward. I'm definitely going to talk to my doctor about the persistent fatigue and occasional incision discomfort I've been experiencing - like many of you mentioned, I think I was downplaying these symptoms because I wanted to seem like I was recovering well. If there's a legitimate medical reason to extend my disability, that would be ideal. If not, I'm really intrigued by the intermittent PFL option that @Norman Fraser brought up - being able to use just a few days here and there instead of full weeks could be perfect for my situation. I had no idea that was even possible! I'm also going to check with my HR department about supplemental policies and vacation time options. One thing I wanted to add - I called my benefits administrator yesterday and they mentioned that some people don't realize you can also use accrued sick time (not just vacation) to bridge these gaps, depending on your employer's policy. Might be worth checking if you have sick leave available too. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - it's made this whole confusing process so much less overwhelming!

This entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm in a very similar situation - my SDI ends in just over a week and I have about a 2-week gap before I planned to return to work. Like many of you, I had a c-section and have been dealing with some lingering issues (mainly fatigue and some abdominal tightness) that I hadn't really thought to discuss with my doctor as potential reasons for extended leave. The intermittent PFL option that several people have mentioned is completely new to me and sounds like it could be a perfect solution! Being able to use just specific days rather than full weeks would let me get some financial coverage while preserving most of my bonding time for later in the year when I really need it. I'm also going to check with my employer about their policies on using accrued time during family leave - I had no idea some companies have supplemental short-term disability benefits that could help bridge these gaps. One question for those who successfully got medical extensions - how did you approach that conversation with your doctor? I don't want to seem like I'm exaggerating symptoms, but I also don't want to dismiss legitimate recovery issues that might justify more time off. Thanks so much everyone for sharing your experiences so openly - this community has been such a lifeline during a really confusing time!

lol welcome to the club. grab a seat, we'll be here a while 🙃

I went through this exact same thing last year! What really helped me was submitting a request through the "Contact EDD" form on their website instead of just calling. They actually responded within a week and told me exactly what was holding up my claim (turns out they needed an additional form I didn't know about). Also, make sure you're checking the EDD website regularly because sometimes they update requirements without telling you. Don't give up - I know it's super stressful but you'll get through this! 💪

PSA: Don't forget that paid family leave is taxable income! Set some aside or you might be in for a nasty surprise come tax season 💸

Hey Connor! I just went through this process a few months ago. After you file, you should definitely get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you haven't received one, definitely check your spam folder first. The whole process can take 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment, but the waiting is the worst part! Make sure you have all your documentation ready (especially any medical forms if it's for bonding/caregiving). The EDD website also has a claim status checker you can use with your confirmation number. Hang in there - it does eventually work out! 🤞

unpopular opinion: sometimes its easier to just let the claims overlap and deal with slightly lower benefits than go thru the hassle of changing dates. been down this road and the stress wasnt worth it for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Just went through this exact same situation last month! The key is to be super specific about which claim you want adjusted and why. When I called, I explained that the overlap was preventing me from getting my full benefits and asked them to modify the start date on my FMLA claim to begin after my SDI ended. Make sure you have both claim numbers handy and be prepared to explain the timeline clearly. Also, don't hang up until they confirm the changes in the system - I made that mistake the first time and had to call back again. You got this! 💪