Can I quit toxic job at 21 weeks pregnant and still get EDD maternity benefits?

This is an important question that comes up often. The short answer is that quitting voluntarily can potentially affect your benefits, but it's not a simple yes/no. Here's what you need to know: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) benefits through SDI are based on medical necessity, not employment status. If your doctor certifies you're disabled due to pregnancy (typically 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after), you can still qualify even if you quit. 2. For Paid Family Leave (PFL) baby bonding, you technically don't need to be employed, but you must have earned enough wages during your base period (usually 5-18 months before your claim). 3. The potential issue is that EDD might investigate why you left your job. If they determine you quit without "good cause," they could potentially disqualify you from certain benefits. I'd recommend speaking with your doctor about documenting any pregnancy-related health impacts from your work stress. This documentation can help establish medical necessity if needed later.

hi i went thru something similar last year!! quit my job at 24 wks bc my boss was AWFUL. got my benefits no problem but make sure u have ur doctor document EVERYTHING about ur stress levels and bp etc. my dr wrote a note saying the job stress was harmful to my pregnancy and that helped alot

THE EDD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY YOU!!!! I quit at 19 weeks for similar reasons and they initially DENIED my claim saying I "voluntarily quit without good cause" even though I had DOCUMENTED HARASSMENT. I had to appeal and wait MONTHS while 9 months pregnant with no income!!! Make sure you document EVERYTHING and get your doctor to explicitly state the job is affecting your health and pregnancy. Don't trust what anyone at EDD tells you on the phone either - I got different answers from EVERY person I talked to (when I could even reach someone)!!!

I'm an HR benefits specialist who deals with these situations often. Let me clarify a few important points: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave benefits come through State Disability Insurance (SDI), which is separate from unemployment benefits. The eligibility rules are different. 2. You can absolutely receive SDI benefits even after voluntarily quitting IF your disability (medical condition related to pregnancy) is certified by your doctor. Your work separation reason primarily affects unemployment benefits, not disability benefits. 3. For Paid Family Leave baby bonding benefits, you need to have contributed to SDI during your base period and have a qualifying event (birth of your child). You don't need to be currently employed when you apply for PFL. 4. Documentation is key. Have your doctor document any pregnancy complications related to workplace stress (elevated blood pressure, anxiety, etc.). 5. File your DE2501 (disability claim) form when your doctor certifies you're disabled due to pregnancy, typically 4 weeks before your due date.

Just want to add that these benefits are insurance programs YOU PAID INTO through your paycheck deductions. You're not asking for a handout - you've been paying premiums for this coverage! I left my toxic job at 18 weeks after my doctor wrote a note saying the stress was causing pregnancy complications. Got my full PDL starting at 36 weeks and then my 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL after delivery without any issues. Just make sure when you apply you focus on the medical necessity rather than workplace complaints.

Has anyone considered trying to get accommodations under PDLL before quitting? My sister was in a similar situation but she requested reduced hours as an accommodation first and documented that they refused before quitting. Apparently that helped her claim later. Just a thought.

dont forget ur job might also try to deny u unemployment to if u quit so prepare for that!!! but SDI and PFL r different. i didnt get unemployment but did get the pregnancy disability and baby bonding no problem

Another option to consider is talking to your doctor about going on SDI early due to pregnancy complications exacerbated by work stress. If your doctor certifies you as disabled due to pregnancy before your planned quit date, you could start receiving benefits while still technically employed, which might avoid some complications. In 2025, the weekly SDI benefit maximum is $1,620, so depending on your income, this could be substantial. Worth discussing with your OB at your next appointment.

I'm a labor law attorney and want to emphasize that your situation may qualify as constructive dismissal rather than voluntary quitting. If your employer is creating working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign (especially when pregnant), this could be considered "good cause" for leaving. Document everything: save emails showing unreasonable demands, note dates/times of discriminatory comments, and keep records of any denied accommodation requests. California courts have ruled that pregnancy discrimination creating a hostile work environment can constitute constructive dismissal. This distinction could be crucial if EDD questions your eligibility. Also consider filing a complaint with the DFEH (Department of Fair Employment and Housing) - having an active discrimination complaint can further support your case that leaving was necessary rather than voluntary.

Just wanted to share my experience from last year - I was in almost the exact same situation at 20 weeks pregnant! My manager was making comments about my "reliability" after I found out I was pregnant, and I was having panic attacks from the stress. I ended up quitting after my doctor said the workplace stress was contributing to my high blood pressure and could lead to complications. Here's what worked for me: I made sure my doctor documented EVERYTHING in my medical records - the stress, elevated BP, anxiety, everything. When I applied for SDI at 36 weeks, they approved it without any issues because it was clearly medically necessary. Then I got my full 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding after delivery. The key is having your doctor explicitly state in writing that your work environment is medically harmful to your pregnancy. Don't just mention stress - get specific about physical symptoms like elevated blood pressure, sleep issues, etc. I also kept a detailed log of incidents at work that I showed my doctor so she understood the full picture. You've been paying into SDI this whole time - you've earned these benefits! Trust your instincts about protecting your health and your baby's health. No job is worth risking pregnancy complications.

I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and dealing with a very similar toxic work situation, so this thread has been incredibly eye-opening and helpful! My manager has been making subtle comments about my "commitment level" since I announced my pregnancy, and I've been having stress-induced insomnia and my blood pressure has been creeping up at my recent appointments. What I'm taking away from everyone's experiences is that the key is solid medical documentation connecting workplace stress to pregnancy complications. I have an appointment with my OB this Friday and I'm going to be very thorough about discussing how work stress is affecting my physical symptoms. One question for those who successfully got benefits after quitting - did any of you file for unemployment benefits as well, or did you just focus on the SDI/PFL? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the potential hassle of dealing with unemployment if they might deny it anyway for "voluntary" quitting, especially if the pregnancy disability benefits will cover most of what I need financially. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences - it's such a relief to know I'm not alone in this situation and that there are real options for protecting both my baby's health and our financial stability!

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant and this entire thread has been SO valuable - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm dealing with similar workplace issues (unrealistic deadlines, passive-aggressive comments about my upcoming "time off," and general hostility since announcing my pregnancy). What strikes me most is how many of you have successfully navigated this situation with proper medical documentation. I've been hesitating to bring up my work stress with my doctor because I wasn't sure if it was "serious enough," but reading about everyone's elevated blood pressure and other symptoms makes me realize I need to be more honest about how this is affecting me physically. A few questions for the group: 1. For those who quit and got benefits - how long was the gap between quitting and when your SDI benefits started? I'm trying to plan financially. 2. Did anyone here end up going back to work after having their baby, or did the toxic situation make you decide to find something new entirely? This community is amazing - it's so reassuring to know that we have rights and options, even in these awful situations. No pregnancy should have to involve choosing between your health and your financial security!

I just want to say how incredible this community is! As someone who's currently 22 weeks pregnant and dealing with a similar toxic work situation, reading through all of these experiences has been both eye-opening and empowering. What really stands out to me is how many of you have successfully protected both your health and your financial security by being proactive about medical documentation. I've been suffering in silence, thinking I just had to "tough it out" until maternity leave, but seeing how workplace stress can actually cause real pregnancy complications that qualify for early SDI benefits is a total game-changer. My main takeaways from everyone's stories: - Document EVERYTHING with your doctor - elevated BP, anxiety, insomnia, headaches - Keep records of workplace harassment/discrimination - Focus on medical necessity when applying for benefits, not workplace complaints - Remember that we've PAID into these programs - they're our earned benefits, not handouts I have an appointment with my OB next week and I'm going to be completely honest about how my job stress is manifesting physically. Thank you all for showing that it's possible to prioritize our babies' health AND maintain our financial stability. You've given me hope that there's a path forward that doesn't involve choosing between my wellbeing and my family's security. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for other pregnant people dealing with toxic workplaces!

I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and this entire thread has been like finding a goldmine of information! I've been dealing with a manager who keeps making "jokes" about how I'll probably want to work part-time after the baby comes and questioning whether I can handle my current projects. My anxiety has been through the roof and I've been having trouble sleeping, but I kept telling myself it was just normal pregnancy worries. Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize that I need to take this more seriously. The fact that so many of you have successfully gotten your SDI and PFL benefits after leaving toxic situations gives me hope that I'm not trapped here until my due date. I have a few specific questions for the group: 1. When you documented workplace stress with your doctors, did they immediately understand the connection to pregnancy complications, or did you have to advocate for that documentation? 2. For those who mentioned keeping logs of workplace incidents - what specific types of things did you document? 3. Did anyone consult with the free legal clinics that some counties offer before making their decision? I'm scheduling an appointment with my OB this week to discuss how my work stress might be affecting my pregnancy. Thank you all for being so open about your journeys - it's incredibly empowering to see that we have options and don't have to just endure toxic situations for months on end. This community is providing exactly the support and practical advice I needed!

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly supportive thread! I've been dealing with a toxic manager who has been "restructuring" my role ever since I announced my pregnancy - suddenly all my important projects are being reassigned and I'm being given busy work "so I don't get overwhelmed." The gaslighting has been intense and I've developed chronic headaches and my blood pressure spiked at my last two appointments. Reading everyone's experiences here has been so validating - I thought I was being dramatic, but clearly workplace pregnancy discrimination is more common than I realized. What really resonates with me is how many of you emphasized that we've PAID into these systems and have every right to use them when we need them. I'm planning to have a very direct conversation with my OB at my appointment next week about how the workplace stress is manifesting physically. Based on what everyone has shared, I'm going to be specific about the headaches, elevated BP, and the anxiety that's affecting my sleep. I'm also going to ask about the possibility of early pregnancy disability if my symptoms continue to worsen. Thank you all for sharing your stories so openly - it's giving me the confidence to prioritize my baby's health over a job that clearly doesn't value me as a pregnant employee. This thread should definitely be a resource for anyone facing similar situations!

I'm 17 weeks pregnant and this thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I've been silently enduring what I now realize is clear pregnancy discrimination - my supervisor has been making comments about my "future availability" and subtly shifting my responsibilities to other team members "to help me focus on my health." I've been having stress-induced insomnia and noticed my blood pressure readings have been higher than usual, but I kept telling myself I was overreacting. Reading everyone's stories has opened my eyes to the fact that these aren't just "normal pregnancy challenges" - they're legitimate workplace discrimination issues that are causing real health complications. The most powerful insight I've gained from this community is understanding that SDI and PFL benefits are based on medical necessity and our contributions, not employment status. I'm scheduling an appointment with my OB this week to discuss how workplace stress is affecting my pregnancy symptoms. Based on everyone's advice, I'm going to be very specific about the insomnia, elevated blood pressure, and anxiety I've been experiencing since the workplace hostility began. I'm also going to start documenting every discriminatory comment and policy change that's happened since my pregnancy announcement. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so courageously - you've shown me that I don't have to choose between my baby's health and financial security. This community proves that knowledge and solidarity can empower us to make the best decisions for our families, even in the face of toxic workplace situations. Your stories have given me hope and a clear path forward!

I'm 24 weeks pregnant and just discovered this thread - what a treasure trove of information and support! I've been dealing with a manager who keeps "reassigning" my key projects to colleagues because they're "concerned about my stress levels," while simultaneously piling on administrative busy work. The irony is that the discrimination itself is what's causing my stress levels to spike! I've been having terrible anxiety, trouble sleeping, and my blood pressure has been creeping up at my recent appointments. Like so many of you, I kept thinking I was being too sensitive or that this was just "normal" pregnancy stuff. Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize this is textbook pregnancy discrimination that's causing legitimate health complications. The insight that's hit me hardest from this thread is that we've EARNED these benefits through our payroll contributions - we're not asking for charity, we're claiming insurance we've paid for! I had no idea that SDI and PFL eligibility is based on medical necessity rather than employment status when you quit. I'm calling my OB tomorrow to schedule an urgent appointment to discuss how workplace discrimination is affecting my pregnancy. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm going to be very direct about the anxiety, insomnia, and elevated blood pressure, and ask for documentation connecting these symptoms to workplace stress. I'm also starting a detailed log of every discriminatory comment and project reassignment. Thank you all for sharing your stories so openly - you've given me hope that I can protect both my baby's health AND our financial future. This community is proof that we're stronger together! 💪

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and stumbled across this thread while desperately searching for answers about my own toxic work situation. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both heartbreaking and incredibly empowering - I had no idea so many of us were dealing with similar pregnancy discrimination! My manager has been making "joking" comments about how I'll probably be "less focused" once the baby comes and has started excluding me from important meetings "so I don't get overwhelmed." The gaslighting has been intense and I've developed chronic stress headaches and my sleep has been terrible. I kept thinking I was being too sensitive, but seeing all your stories makes me realize this is legitimate workplace discrimination causing real health issues. What's been most eye-opening is learning that SDI and PFL benefits are based on medical necessity and our contributions, not whether we quit voluntarily. I had no idea we had these options! I'm definitely going to schedule an appointment with my OB this week to discuss how the workplace stress is affecting my physical symptoms and ask about proper documentation. Thank you all for being so brave in sharing your stories - you've shown me that I don't have to just endure months more of this toxicity. It's incredible how this community has turned what felt like an impossible situation into one where I actually have choices and rights. I'll definitely keep you all updated on how things progress!