Thank you everyone for all your advice!! I called my OB office today and they said they submit the medical certification electronically, but I need to let them know when I'm ready to file. I also created my SDI Online account (took like 10 minutes) and talked to my HR department. They gave me a separation notice that I'll need to upload when I file my claim. I'm still a little confused about the transition from disability to baby bonding though... do I need to file a whole new claim for that? And how do I make sure there's no gap between the two?

Great job on being proactive and getting your account set up early! 👏 One additional tip that helped me - when you're ready to file on Dec 8th, make sure you have your most recent pay stub handy. The system will ask for wage information and having exact figures speeds up the process. Also, regarding the transition to PFL - you can actually apply for baby bonding PFL up to 12 months after your baby's birth, so there's flexibility there. But like @Jamal Harris mentioned, timing it right prevents payment gaps. One last thing - save your confirmation number and print/screenshot the final submission page when you file. I've seen people have issues where EDD couldn't locate their claim initially, and having that documentation saved the day. You're doing everything right though - sounds like you'll be much better prepared than most first-time filers!

Hey Zoe! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. The key thing is to be super clear with EDD that your severance is a one-time separation payment, not ongoing wages. When I called, I specifically said "This is a lump-sum severance payment for separation, not continuation of salary" and had my severance letter ready to reference. Also, make sure your former employer coded it correctly on their end - they should report it as severance, not regular wages. If there's any confusion, ask for a corrected form from HR. One more tip: if the first EDD rep doesn't seem to understand, politely ask to speak with someone else or a supervisor. Some agents are more familiar with these situations than others. You've got this! 💪

Just wanted to add - if you're still having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, try their online contact form first. Sometimes they respond faster to written inquiries, and you'll have a paper trail of your communication. Also, check if your former employer has an HR hotline or benefits specialist who can help clarify how they reported your severance payment. I had to go back to my old company twice to get the right documentation, but it was worth it in the end. The whole process is frustrating, but don't give up! You're entitled to both benefits if everything is coded correctly.

This happened to me too. Turns out there was a glitch in their system and my application got stuck. Keep calling and ask them to check if there are any technical issues with your application. Don't give up!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! It's been 6 weeks since I submitted my application and radio silence. I've been checking my online account daily and there's literally nothing - no status updates, no estimated timeline, nothing. It's so stressful especially when you're counting on that money. I tried the phone number but gave up after being on hold for 2 hours. Maybe we should all flood their social media pages until they respond? This is unacceptable for such an important program.

Sending positive vibes your way, OP! 💖 Dealing with this stuff while also managing family medical issues is so stressful. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

I went through something similar a few months ago and it was such a headache! Turns out I was mixing up FMLA (which is unpaid job protection) with my state's Paid Family Leave program. Since you're dealing with California EDD, you might be thinking of California's PFL program, which does provide partial wage replacement. The key is figuring out which program you actually applied for and then tracking down the right department. I'd suggest checking your original paperwork to see exactly what you filed for - it made all the difference for me once I got that sorted out!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis. This is such a difficult time for your family. Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - since you mentioned your mom has 4-6 months and you're planning to use leave intermittently, you might want to also look into whether your company offers any additional bereavement leave policies. Some employers provide separate bereavement time that wouldn't count against your FMLA/CFRA allotment. Also, if your mom becomes eligible for hospice care, many hospice organizations have family support services and resources that can help you navigate this journey. You're doing everything right by getting the paperwork sorted out early. Take care of yourself too during this process.

I'm really sorry about your mother's diagnosis. Going through this myself right now with my father-in-law who has pancreatic cancer. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - when you file for PFL, make sure your mom's doctor is very specific on the DE2501F form about her need for care. Don't let them just write something vague like "patient has cancer." EDD wants to see details about why she specifically needs assistance with daily activities, transportation to treatments, etc. My first claim got delayed because the doctor's form was too general. Also, if your mom qualifies for Medicare or has other insurance changes during treatment, that might affect some of the medical documentation timing. Just a heads up to stay on top of all the moving pieces. You're being really smart to plan this out in advance.