Can I job hunt while on EDD maternity disability? Need advice on timing!

You absolutely CAN job search while on disability or PFL. What matters to EDD is whether you're physically ABLE to work, not whether you're looking. For pregnancy disability, you're certified as unable to work at your CURRENT job. For baby bonding PFL, you're taking time to bond with your child, not because you're unable to work. The key things to remember: 1. Don't start a new job while still claiming disability benefits 2. If you find a job during PFL baby bonding, you can stop your claim early without penalty 3. You need to report when you return to work (any employer) to EDD 4. Make sure your doctor has certified you're able to return to work before starting a new job I went through this last year and found a new job during my PFL period. I simply stopped my PFL claim when I started the new position. It worked out perfectly!

BE CAREFUL!!! My friend got AUDITED by EDD because she started a new job right after her leave ended and they thought she was able to work earlier than she claimed!!! They made her pay back like $4,000 in benefits and it was a NIGHTMARE to deal with!!! Make sure your doctor's notes are SUPER CLEAR about when you're actually cleared to work!!!!

i switched jobs right after my maternity leave ended last year and it was fine. just dont start the new job until after ur disability period is over or theyll make u pay it all back. baby bonding is different tho u can stop that anytime

When I was on maternity leave last spring I had the same issue - horrible boss, crazy expectations, the whole package. I interviewed at three places while on leave and accepted a position that let me start 2 weeks after my PFL ended. That gave me a little breather between benefits ending and starting the new gig. BTW my pregnancy was complicated and somehow during this time I needed to talk to EDD about extending my disability before my PFL started. Spent DAYS trying to get through on the phone. My sister told me about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD agent in like 20 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Just sharing because if you need to talk to EDD about anything with your claim during this transition time, it saved me so much frustration.

I think there's some confusion here about the different types of leave. When you're on pregnancy disability through SDI, you're certified as being UNABLE to perform your regular or customary work due to your pregnancy/childbirth. If you're interviewing for jobs during this time, technically you're representing that you COULD work at a new job, which contradicts your disability claim. However, once you transition to PFL for baby bonding, that's different. PFL isn't based on inability to work - it's time to bond with a new child. You can absolutely job search during this time with no issues. My advice: - Wait until your disability claim ends and you're on PFL before actively interviewing - Be careful about digital footprints (LinkedIn updates, etc.) during disability - When you transition to PFL, job search freely - If you accept a position during PFL, simply end your claim when you start the new job

When i had my baby in 2021 my old job was super toxic too so i feel your pain!! The thing nobody mentioned yet is that if u start a new job right after leave, u might not qualify for FMLA/CFRA protection at the new place for a whole year!! that was a big surprise to me when my second baby came along. something to consider if ur planning more kids soon. just my two cents lol

One additional point about transitioning from disability to PFL - make sure you file your PFL claim form (DE2501F) before your disability claim ends to avoid any gap in benefits. The transition is NOT automatic, and many people miss this step. When you're ready to end your PFL claim early (if you find a new job), call EDD and tell them your exact return-to-work date. They'll adjust your claim accordingly. Don't just stop certifying - that can cause problems later. Regarding your original job: Check your employee handbook for any return-to-work obligations. Some employers require repayment of benefits if you don't return for a minimum period (usually 30 days). This doesn't affect your state benefits, but could impact any supplemental pay your employer provided.

I just went through this exact scenario back in January! I was on leave for my second baby and my company reorganized while I was out, leaving me with a new manager who was basically forcing out my whole team. I started interviewing while on PFL (after my disability portion ended). Found a great new job, accepted the offer, and gave notice to my old company that I wouldn't be returning after my leave ended. Worked out perfectly! The timeline was: 1. Pregnancy disability (6 weeks for vaginal birth, 8 for c-section) 2. Baby bonding PFL (8 weeks) - did my job searching during this time 3. Gave notice 2 weeks before PFL ended 4. Started new job 1 week after PFL ended (gave myself a little break) Nobody questioned anything, no issues with EDD. Best decision ever - I'm so much happier now with way better work-life balance for my family!

I'm going through something similar right now! Currently 5 weeks postpartum and still on disability, but my workplace has gotten so much worse since I've been out. They've been "restructuring" and laid off half my department while I've been on leave - major red flag! I've been hesitant to start job searching until I transition to PFL, but reading everyone's experiences here is really helpful. @Sofia Martinez and @Yara Khoury - thank you for sharing your success stories! It gives me hope that I can navigate this without jeopardizing my benefits. One question for those who've done this - did you update your LinkedIn profile or keep it quiet until you were ready to start? I'm worried about my current employer seeing any activity, even though technically I don't think I'm obligated to return after leave ends. Also dealing with the anxiety of job searching while trying to enjoy this precious time with my baby. It's such a stressful situation when you just want to focus on your little one! But sounds like it can definitely work out for the better in the end.

As someone who works in HR and has helped many employees navigate maternity leave transitions, I want to add some important considerations: First, regarding job searching during disability vs PFL - you're absolutely right to be cautious. During pregnancy disability, you're certified as unable to perform your current job duties. While this doesn't technically prohibit job searching, it's safer to wait until you transition to PFL to actively interview. Second, document EVERYTHING with your current employer. If they're being toxic or making changes while you're on leave, keep records. This protects you legally and can also help if they try to contest any unemployment benefits later (if you end up needing them). Third, consider your health insurance situation carefully. If you're on your employer's plan, you'll want to ensure smooth coverage transition. Some employers will continue coverage through the end of the month you give notice, others end it immediately. Finally, remember that in California, you have job protection under both state and federal family leave laws. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for taking protected leave, even if you ultimately decide not to return. The timing you're considering (job searching during PFL, giving notice before return) is completely legal and fairly common. Focus on what's best for your family's future - a toxic workplace isn't worth your mental health, especially as a new parent.

I'm in a very similar situation - 4 weeks postpartum and dreading going back to my toxic workplace! Reading all these responses has been so reassuring. I was worried that job searching while on leave might somehow be "wrong" but it sounds like lots of people have done this successfully. My biggest concern is the timing. I want to maximize my bonding time with baby but also don't want to miss good opportunities if they come up. @Yara Khoury your timeline sounds perfect - did you find it stressful to be interviewing while still in those early weeks with your newborn? I'm wondering if I should wait until maybe 8-10 weeks postpartum when things feel more settled. Also, for those who found new jobs - how did you handle references from your current employer? I'm worried about burning bridges even though the environment is toxic. Did you use other references or were you upfront with potential employers about the situation? Thank you all for sharing your experiences! It's giving me so much more confidence that I can navigate this transition successfully. 💕

Reading through all these responses has been so helpful! I'm currently 6 weeks postpartum and in almost the exact same situation - toxic workplace that I'm dreading returning to after my leave ends. What I'm gathering from everyone's experiences is that the key distinction is between disability (where you're certified unable to work) and PFL baby bonding time (where you can actively job search without issues). @Miguel Alvarez and @Sofia Martinez really clarified this for me. I'm planning to wait until I transition to PFL before starting my job search, but it's reassuring to know that so many others have successfully navigated this transition. The timeline that @Yara Khoury shared sounds ideal - use the PFL period for job searching, give notice a couple weeks before leave ends, and start the new job shortly after. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here had to deal with their employer trying to "win them back" when they gave notice they weren't returning? My company has a history of making counter-offers or promises about improving conditions when people try to leave. I'm worried they might try to guilt me about taking maternity leave and then not coming back, even though I know legally I'm protected. Also want to echo what others have said about the anxiety of job searching during what should be precious bonding time. It's such a mental load on top of everything else new parents are dealing with! But ultimately creating a better future for our families is worth the temporary stress. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's giving me the confidence to move forward with this plan! 💪

As someone who just went through this exact situation 6 months ago, I want to reassure you that what you're considering is completely normal and legal! I was also in a toxic work environment and made the decision not to return after my maternity leave. Here's what I learned: You can absolutely job search during your PFL period (the baby bonding portion). The key is waiting until you're no longer on pregnancy disability and have transitioned to PFL. During disability, you're certified as unable to work due to your medical condition. But during PFL, you're taking time to bond with your baby - there's no restriction on looking for future employment opportunities. I started my job search around 10 weeks postpartum when I felt more mentally ready to handle interviews alongside caring for my newborn. I was upfront with potential employers about my availability date and most were very understanding. I ended my PFL claim early when I accepted a position and started my new job about 2 weeks after my leave officially ended. The relief of not having to return to that stressful environment was incredible, and it actually made me a better parent because I wasn't constantly anxious about work. Don't feel guilty about using this time to secure a better future for your family - that's exactly what these benefits are meant to help you do! Make sure to keep good documentation of everything and follow proper procedures for ending your benefits when you start your new position. You've got this! 💕