congrats on the baby!!! one thing nobody mentioned is that when ur self employed u might need a doctors note saying when u need to stop working. my friend is a massage therapist and her doc wrote that she should stop at 36 weeks cuz of being on her feet all day. as a stylist u might get the same!

Just wanted to add something important that might help with your decision - as a self-employed stylist, you have more flexibility with your work schedule during pregnancy compared to being an employee. When I was pregnant, I could adjust my client appointments around my energy levels and doctor visits without having to ask permission or worry about using up sick days. Since you've already been paying into SDI for 3 years, you're in a really good position! The only downside is that self-employed folks sometimes have to be more proactive about filing claims and providing documentation, but it sounds like you keep good records. One tip: start organizing your tax documents and income records NOW so you're prepared when it's time to file. Having everything ready made my claim process so much smoother. Also, consider talking to your current clients about your pregnancy timeline - many will book ahead to secure appointments before your leave! The employee position might seem tempting for the "easier" benefits, but don't underestimate the value of being your own boss, especially with a baby on the way. You've got this! 💪

Hey OP, don't stress too much. I was in the same boat last month. They just needed to confirm my last day of work. Easy peasy. You got this! 💪

Thanks for posting this! I'm actually in a similar situation - got the letter yesterday and was panicking about what they might need. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. Sounds like it's usually just routine verification stuff. I'm gonna call first thing Monday morning with all my paperwork ready. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly! 🤞

Update: I mailed the DE1326C form yesterday using certified mail (thanks for that tip!) and am going to try visiting the EDD office tomorrow morning. I've also started certifying for benefits while I wait for this to be resolved. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help - I was feeling completely lost before posting here!

I'm dealing with a similar name issue right now (maiden name vs married name confusion) and wanted to share what my local EDD office told me when I visited last week. They said to bring a "name change timeline" document when you go - basically a simple letter explaining when/why your name might appear differently in various systems (like if you got married, divorced, etc.). Even though your situation is just a typo, they said it helps them understand the discrepancy faster. Also, if you have any old pay stubs or tax documents that show your name the way it appears in the EDD system, bring those too. Sometimes it helps them trace back where the error originated. The office staff seemed way more helpful than the phone reps - hoping your visit goes well tomorrow!

To answer your earlier question to me - I applied for PFL online and it was pretty straightforward. The one-week gap between benefits was stressful (especially since no one warned me about it), but I had planned ahead financially just in case. One important thing - when your disability claim is approved, they'll give you an estimated end date for your SDI benefits. This is usually based on a standard recovery time. Apply for PFL about 9-10 days before that estimated end date. If you apply too early, they might deny it. If you apply too late, you'll have a bigger gap in payments. Also, save EVERYTHING. Every piece of paper, every confirmation number, take screenshots of your online submissions. You'll be glad you did if something goes wrong and you need to prove you submitted something.

As someone who just went through this entire process last year, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help! First, create a calendar reminder to check your SDI Online account weekly once your claim is approved. Even though payments are automatic, I caught an issue early because I was monitoring regularly. Second, start gathering documents for your PFL application NOW - you'll need your baby's birth certificate or hospital record of birth, and sometimes getting these documents takes longer than expected when you're juggling a newborn. Third, consider opening a separate savings account for your maternity leave funds. EDD payments come on a different schedule than regular paychecks, and having everything in one place helps with budgeting during this transition. Lastly, don't be afraid to reach out to your local EDD office if you run into issues. Sometimes the in-person staff can resolve problems faster than the phone system. You've got this! The process seems overwhelming at first, but once you understand the flow from SDI to PFL, it becomes much more manageable.

Protip: If you can, try calling right when they open. I got through pretty quick that way. Also, be super nice to the person who answers - they deal with angry people all day and being kind can go a long way!

I went through this exact process about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: call first thing in the morning (around 8:05 AM), have your social security number and original claim details ready, and don't hang up even if you get that "high call volume" message. Also, if your situation hasn't changed much from your original claim, mention that upfront - it seemed to speed things up for me. The whole process took about 10 days once I got through to someone. You got this! 💪