Final update: My PFL claim was approved! It took 9 days from submission to approval, and the payment hit my account 2 days later. So I had about an 11-day gap between my last disability payment and first PFL payment. Tight financially but manageable. For anyone else going through this transition, definitely file ASAP before your disability ends! And yes, my weekly benefit amount is exactly the same as it was on disability, so that's a good verification point. Thanks again everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting through the transition successfully! Your timeline is really helpful for others going through this. 11 days isn't too bad considering some of the horror stories you hear about EDD processing times. I'm currently pregnant with my first and will need to do this same transition in a few months, so I'm bookmarking this entire thread for reference. It's such a relief to see that when you file properly and early, the system actually works reasonably well. Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated!

I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child! I had severe morning sickness that lasted way longer than expected and couldn't do my job (I'm a nurse). My OB wrote me off work at 28 weeks, and I was so confused about what benefits I could get. The key thing is that pregnancy-related disability is covered under SDI from the moment you can't work due to pregnancy complications - not just the standard 4 weeks before delivery. Since you have medical documentation of your contractions and work restrictions, you should definitely qualify. One tip: when you fill out the DE2501, be very specific about your symptoms and how they prevent you from doing your job duties. Don't just say "contractions" - explain that they make standing/walking impossible, affect your concentration, etc. The more detailed you are, the smoother your approval process will be. Also, once you file, you can check your claim status online through your EDD account. It really helped reduce my anxiety to be able to track the progress! You've got this mama - take care of yourself and that baby!

I'm a new member here but wanted to jump in because I'm currently going through the CA disability system for pregnancy complications myself! Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely file that DE2501 ASAP. One thing I learned that might help: when you call your doctor's office tomorrow, ask them specifically for the "physician's certificate" portion of the disability form. Some offices are more familiar with this process than others, and using the right terminology can help them understand exactly what you need. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, you can actually start your disability claim online at edd.ca.gov. It won't replace the need for your doctor's certification, but it can get the ball rolling faster. Hope this helps, and wishing you the best with your pregnancy! The contractions sound really stressful on top of trying to navigate all this paperwork.

Not to be that person, but have you considered getting a lawyer? Sometimes just having a legal letterhead on your appeal can make them take it more seriously.

I went through this exact same situation last year! My initial claim was denied even though I thought I had everything. Here's what I learned: 1) Always submit both hospital certificate AND official birth certificate, 2) Include a cover letter explaining your relationship to the child, and 3) Make copies of EVERYTHING before sending. I had to appeal but it was approved the second time around. Don't give up - you're entitled to this benefit! Also, try calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open, that's when I finally got through to speak with someone who actually helped.

Hey Laura! I just wanted to add that when you call your doctor, make sure they're familiar with the DE2501 form - some doctors haven't filled these out before and might need guidance. The form needs to be very specific about your diagnosis and functional limitations. Also, a heads up that EDD's online portal can be really glitchy, so if you have trouble submitting online, you can mail or fax the forms too. I learned this the hard way when my online submission kept timing out! One more thing - start gathering all your pay stubs from your last job now. EDD will want to verify your earnings history, and having everything organized will speed up the process. You've got this mama, and don't beat yourself up about not knowing earlier - the system is confusing and they don't exactly advertise these benefits well!

I went through this exact same situation last year! I had to leave work at 6 months pregnant due to severe hyperemesis and was panicking about money. The good news is you absolutely can still qualify for SDI even though you haven't worked since November - I got approved even after being out of work for 3 months. A few practical tips from my experience: 1) Get your doctor to fill out the DE2501 form ASAP - mine was hesitant at first but once I explained it was for state disability, they were totally fine with it. 2) Make sure your medical records clearly document all your pregnancy complications and ER visits. 3) Don't stress if the EDD website is confusing - I ended up mailing my forms because the online system kept crashing. The weekly benefit amount isn't huge but it was enough to cover my basic expenses until after the baby came. Then I transitioned to PFL for bonding time which gave me another 8 weeks of benefits. Hang in there - you're going to get through this! And congratulations on your pregnancy! 💕

I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago! What worked for me was logging out completely, then logging back in and trying again. Also make sure you're not using any ad blockers or pop-up blockers - they can interfere with the upload functionality. The EDD site is super finicky about that stuff. If you're still having trouble, try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning (6-8 AM) when fewer people are on the system. Good luck!

I ran into this same issue a couple months ago and it was SO frustrating! What finally worked for me was using a desktop computer with Firefox instead of my phone. For some reason, the mobile version of the EDD site just doesn't play nice with file uploads. Also, make sure your PDF isn't too large - I think there's a file size limit that isn't clearly posted anywhere. If you have access to a computer, try that first before going through the hassle of calling EDD. The whole system is a mess but hang in there, you'll get it sorted! 💪