I made a similar mistake on my application a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: I called the SDI customer service line early in the morning (around 8 AM) when wait times are shorter. Have your confirmation number ready and clearly explain that you need to correct an error regarding the mandatory vacation policy. The representative was able to make a note in my file and told me to send a brief written statement via their secure message system confirming the correction. It took about 2 weeks to process, but they updated my application without any issues. Don't stress too much - honest mistakes happen and they deal with these corrections regularly!

I went through something similar last month! Don't panic - this is actually a pretty common mistake and the SDI office is used to handling these corrections. I called their main line and was able to get it sorted out over the phone. The key is being persistent but polite. They had me send a follow-up email confirming the correction we discussed, which helped create a paper trail. The whole process took about 10 business days from start to finish. One thing that helped me was having my employee handbook ready when I called, just in case they had questions about my actual company policies. Hang in there - it'll get resolved! 💪

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your wife's employer offers any supplemental benefits during the transition. Some companies will "top up" the difference between her full salary and the SDI/PFL payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to update your health insurance beneficiaries and look into whether you need to adjust any automatic bill payments during this period. The consistent payment amount is great, but it's still usually less than full salary so budgeting adjustments might be needed. Good luck with everything!

This thread has been super informative! As someone who's currently 7 months pregnant and trying to plan ahead, I'm relieved to hear the payment amounts stay the same during the transition. One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on working part-time during PFL bonding leave? My employer mentioned I might be able to do some remote work occasionally during my bonding time, but I want to make sure that won't affect my PFL benefits or cause any issues with EDD.

I'm a new mom who just went through this exact process a few months ago! I was also panicking about timing and ended up doing a hybrid approach similar to what you're planning. A few additional tips from my experience: - When you make copies, scan everything to your phone/computer too as a digital backup - If you drop off at the EDD office, try to go early in the morning (I went right when they opened at 8am and there was no line) - Ask for a timestamp receipt if possible - some offices will give you one, others won't, but it's worth asking - Double-check that your doctor filled out EVERY section of the DE2501. Missing info is the #1 reason for delays Also, don't stress too much about the 2-week timeline. I submitted mine literally the day before my last day of work and everything worked out fine. The system is definitely frustrating but most claims do get processed eventually. You're being super proactive by handling this at 36 weeks - I waited until 38 weeks like an idiot! Sending you positive vibes for a smooth process and healthy delivery! 🤞

As someone who works in a medical office that handles A LOT of disability paperwork, I wanted to chime in with some insider perspective on the electronic vs paper filing situation. The reality is that many medical practices, especially smaller ones, are hesitant to switch to SDI Online because there's a learning curve for staff and they're worried about making mistakes that could delay patients' claims. However, once offices DO make the switch, they usually love it because it's actually faster and reduces their paperwork burden. For your immediate situation, I'd definitely recommend the drop-off approach since you confirmed your local office has a drop box. But here's a pro tip: when you drop it off, take a photo of yourself putting it in the drop box with a timestamp. I know it sounds paranoid, but we've had patients whose forms got "lost" and having that photo evidence helped them when they had to escalate their case. Also, since you mentioned this is your first pregnancy - start thinking now about your PFL claim for baby bonding. You'll need to file that separately after delivery, and it's a completely different form (DE2508). The sooner you understand the two-step process, the less stressful it'll be when you're dealing with a newborn! Best of luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

I'm currently going through this process myself - 37 weeks pregnant and recently unemployed due to layoffs. Based on my research and what my doctor told me, definitely go with SDI first! I just submitted my DE2501 form last week and my OB was super helpful in explaining the timeline. She said most doctors are very familiar with the 4-weeks-before-due-date rule and will certify you without any issues at 36 weeks. One tip that really helped me: I called EDD's SDI line directly (not the main number) and spoke to someone who walked me through exactly what documentation I'd need. They were way more knowledgeable than the general customer service line. The number is 1-800-480-3287. Also, make sure you apply online if possible - the rep told me online applications are prioritized over mailed forms right now. Don't worry about UI at this stage - you can always apply for unemployment benefits later if needed after your PFL period ends and you're ready to job search again. Focus on securing your immediate income through disability and family leave first. The stress of juggling a job search while this pregnant just isn't worth it when you have better options available through SDI/PFL!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely go the SDI route first! I was in almost the exact same situation 8 months ago (lost my job at 35 weeks due to budget cuts) and I'm so glad I listened to advice like this. A few things that really helped me through the process: - Get your doctor appointment scheduled ASAP to start the DE2501 paperwork. Mine was booked out 2 weeks and I was panicking about timing. - When you meet with your doctor, bring a list of any pregnancy complications or discomforts you're experiencing (back pain, swelling, difficulty sleeping, etc.). This can help justify starting disability earlier than 38 weeks if needed. - Save all your recent pay stubs and tax documents in one folder - you'll need them for benefit calculations and EDD loves to ask for additional documentation. The whole process felt overwhelming when I was pregnant and stressed about money, but looking back it was actually pretty straightforward once I got that first SDI claim submitted. You'll get through this! And definitely don't feel guilty about not job hunting right now - no employer is realistically going to hire someone who's about to give birth anyway. Focus on securing your benefits and preparing for your baby. Congratulations! 🍼

Hey Simon! Congrats on your baby boy! 🎉 I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago - emergency C-section at 36 weeks when I was supposed to have 3 more weeks of pregnancy disability left. The good news is your disability automatically continues after delivery! Since you had a C-section, you get the full 8 weeks of recovery time starting from 7/15, which should take you right to around 9/9-9/10 - so your existing return date actually works out perfectly. The most important thing right now is making sure your doctor submits that delivery date change to EDD immediately. I made the mistake of waiting a week and it caused some confusion with my payments. Once that's updated, you're all set to just ride out the disability until it ends, then apply for PFL baby bonding about 10 days before (so around late August). One tip: screenshot or save confirmation when your doctor submits the medical update, just in case you need to reference it later. The transition should be smooth, but having that documentation helped me feel more confident everything was processed correctly. You've got this mama! The hardest part is behind you - now just focus on recovery and those newborn snuggles. 💙

Congrats on your little one! 🎉 I went through something similar with my daughter - she came 4 weeks early via emergency C-section and I was so confused about all the paperwork and timelines. Everyone's given you great advice already! Just want to add one thing that helped me: after your doctor submits the delivery date update to EDD, keep checking your SDI online account every few days to make sure it reflects the correct information. Sometimes there can be delays in processing, and you want to catch any issues early. Also, don't forget to update your employer's HR department about the actual delivery date if you haven't already - they might need to adjust their records for your leave too. The good news is your timeline actually works out really well since your return date was already set for 9/10. Take advantage of having one less thing to worry about and just focus on healing and bonding with your baby boy! The benefits will sort themselves out as long as you stay on top of that medical update. ❤️