Can I receive EDD PFL benefits AND continue getting IHSS payments for my disabled children?

Hi there! yes u can get both! when i had my baby last yr i was still caring for my mom on IHSS and got both payments. u can get disability while pregnant then switch to bonding PFL afterward. just make sure u file each claim on time its confusing!

Thank you so much! That's a relief to hear. How did you manage the paperwork? Did you have to notify IHSS about your pregnancy leave or did you just continue submitting your normal IHSS timesheets?

The previous comment has some inaccurate information. To clarify: You can receive both IHSS payments and EDD benefits, but there are important details to understand:\n\n1. For your part-time job, you can receive Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) benefits via State Disability Insurance (SDI) for 4 weeks before birth and up to 6-8 weeks after birth depending on delivery type.\n\n2. After SDI ends, you can transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding for up to 8 weeks.\n\n3. For IHSS: Since you're providing services to your disabled children, you can continue receiving IHSS payments while on SDI/PFL from your part-time employer. These are separate programs.\n\n4. Important: You must still provide all IHSS authorized services to your children while receiving IHSS payment. If you cannot perform certain tasks during recovery, you might need a temporary substitute provider for those specific tasks.\n\nContact your county IHSS office to inform them of your situation and verify their specific policies, as they can vary by county.

This is 100% wrong! my sister lost her IHSS when she tryed to get maternity leave. The EDD lady told her she cant get both cause its double dipping government money!!!

I understand your sister had a difficult experience, but what I've shared is accurate according to California regulations. IHSS and EDD benefits come from different programs with different qualification criteria. Your sister's situation may have had complicating factors or she may have received incorrect information. It happens unfortunately - some EDD representatives aren't familiar with how IHSS works. I'd recommend she appeal that decision if it was recent.

I've been both an IHSS provider and received SDI/PFL benefits (different times), so I can help clarify this. You CAN receive both simultaneously because:\n\n1. Your part-time job and IHSS provider role are considered separate employment situations\n2. SDI/PFL will be based ONLY on wages from your part-time job\n3. IHSS payments can continue as long as you're providing the authorized services\n\nHowever, be very careful with documentation. Keep detailed records of:\n- Hours worked for IHSS\n- Your leave dates from part-time job\n- All communications with both EDD and IHSS\n\nThe most important thing: be totally transparent with both agencies. Tell your IHSS social worker about your pregnancy and planned leave. Tell EDD about your IHSS work when you file.\n\nAlso, make a plan for if there's a period right after birth when you physically can't perform some IHSS tasks. You might need a temporary substitute provider for those specific tasks only.

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! This makes so much more sense now. I'll definitely talk to my social worker at our next meeting. Do you know if I need to use different forms since I have two jobs technically? I'm worried about filling something out wrong and messing up both income sources.

The system is SO BROKEN!!! I was in your exact situation last year and it was a NIGHTMARE! EDD kept telling me different things every time I called (when I could actually get through). First they said I could get both, then they said I couldn't, then they put my claim on pending for 3 MONTHS while they \

Oh my god, that sounds absolutely terrible! I'm already stressed enough about the pregnancy and managing everything... I definitely can't handle a 3-month investigation. Did you have to do anything special when you filled out your EDD application to prevent problems?

I feel your pain! The EDD phone system is a total disaster. When I needed to reach them about my maternity leave claim, I tried for DAYS without getting through. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at EDD in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5\n\nWorth it to avoid that frustration, especially when you're already dealing with so much! The agent I talked to was actually knowledgeable about my situation and fixed my claim right away.

OMG THANK YOU! Where was this when I needed it last year?? I spent literally 14+ hours trying to get through to EDD over 3 days. Bookmarking this for future reference!

i worked for ihss for 6 years and also had 2 kids during that time so i know exactly how this works. you can definitely get both but heres what you need to do:\n\n1) apply for SDI (disability) using form DE2501 about 4 weeks before your due date for your job\n2) after you give birth and use up disability, you file for PFL using form DE2508\n3) keep submitting your normal ihss timesheets for the care you provide to your kids\n4) be honest on all forms!!!\n\nthe key thing is that on your SDI/PFL forms, you're only claiming benefits for your PART TIME JOB, not for your IHSS work. they are separate.\n\nthe confusion happens because some EDD reps don't understand that IHSS is considered a completely different employment situation. if they question you, explain that you're still providing all required IHSS services to your disabled children while on leave from your other job.

This is SO helpful! Thank you! It's such a relief hearing from someone who's actually been through this exact situation. I'll definitely follow these steps. One more question - when you applied for SDI/PFL, did you list your part-time employer only, or did you list both?

my cousin works for EDD and she says alot of people get confused about this. the main thing to understand is that SDI/PFL is INSURANCE that replaces wages from employers who pay into the system. so if your part-time job takes SDI deductions from your paycheck, thats the job you can claim benefits for when you have a baby.\n\nihss is different because its a social services program through the county, not the state. so you can keep getting ihss payments as long as you're still providing the care.\n\njust be SUPER clear when filling out forms that you're only claiming SDI/PFL for your part-time warehouse job.

That makes sense! I just checked my pay stub from the warehouse and it does show SDI deductions. So I'll be very clear that I'm only claiming for that job. Thank you!

what about childcare for ur older kids when ur in the hospital having the baby? thats something to plan for too! when i had my baby i was in hospital for 3 days, had to get my sister to take care of my mom who gets ihss.

That's a really good point I hadn't even thought about yet! I might need to talk to the IHSS office about getting a temporary substitute provider approved for those days. My mom could help but she'd need to get paid somehow since she'd have to take off work.

everybodys saying different things here so whos right??? i'm confused if this person can get both or not? seems like the government would consider it double dipping?

It's not double-dipping because the programs serve different purposes:\n\n1. EDD benefits (SDI/PFL) replace wages from your regular employer when you can't work due to pregnancy/childbirth/bonding\n\n2. IHSS payments compensate you for providing care services to eligible disabled individuals\n\nAs long as you continue providing all authorized IHSS services to your disabled children, you can receive IHSS payment for that work. Meanwhile, you can receive SDI/PFL to replace wages from your separate part-time job. \n\nThe key is that you must actually continue performing all IHSS duties you're being paid for. If you temporarily can't perform some tasks after childbirth, you'd need a substitute provider for those specific tasks during your recovery.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you do apply for SDI/PFL, make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. I learned this the hard way when EDD lost my paperwork and I had to resubmit everything. Also, if you can, try to apply online through the EDD website rather than mailing forms. The online system gives you confirmation numbers and tracks your application status, which is super helpful when you're juggling so much already. Good luck with everything - you're going to do great managing all of this!

Wow, this thread has been so informative! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - I'm an IHSS provider for my elderly father and also work part-time at a retail store. I've been wondering about this exact scenario in case I ever need to take family leave. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Being completely transparent with both agencies, 2) Understanding that SDI/PFL only covers your regular employer (the one that takes deductions), and 3) Making sure you can still perform all your IHSS duties or arrange temporary substitutes if needed. @Romeo Barrett - it's great that you're planning ahead! Based on what everyone shared, I'd definitely recommend talking to your IHSS social worker soon and maybe even calling EDD now (or using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) to get official confirmation of how this works in your specific county. Better to have everything clear before you need it rather than dealing with confusion when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been working as an IHSS provider for my disabled adult brother for about 3 years now, and I also have a part-time job at a grocery store. I'm not pregnant yet, but my husband and I are planning to start trying soon, so this information is incredibly valuable for me to know ahead of time. It's really helpful to see all the different experiences people have had - both the success stories and the horror stories with EDD. The advice about keeping detailed records and being completely transparent with both agencies makes total sense. I'm definitely going to bookmark that Claimyr service too, because I've heard nightmare stories about trying to get through to EDD on the phone. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully received both benefits, did you have to provide any special documentation to prove you were still able to perform your IHSS duties during recovery? Or was it mainly just continuing to submit your regular timesheets as usual? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world information you can't get from official websites!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm currently an IHSS provider for my disabled mom and also work part-time at a medical office. I'm not pregnant yet, but my partner and I are planning to have kids in the next year or two, so I'm trying to understand all this ahead of time. What I'm gathering from everyone's experiences is that the main things to remember are: 1. SDI/PFL only covers your regular W-2 job (the one with deductions) 2. IHSS payments can continue as long as you're actually providing the care 3. Be completely honest with both agencies about your situation 4. Keep detailed records of everything 5. Plan for temporary help if you physically can't do some IHSS tasks right after birth One thing I haven't seen mentioned - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on how soon after giving birth you can resume certain IHSS duties? Like if your care recipient needs help with transfers or mobility assistance, is there a waiting period before you can safely do that kind of physical work again? Also, huge thanks to whoever mentioned the Claimyr service - I'm definitely saving that info for when I need to actually get through to EDD someday!

I'm in a very similar situation! I'm an IHSS provider for my disabled daughter and work part-time at a call center. Currently 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. After reading through all these responses, I feel so much more confident about navigating this. I actually called my IHSS social worker last week to discuss my situation, and she confirmed what many people here have said - as long as I can continue providing all the authorized services to my daughter, I can keep receiving IHSS payments while on maternity leave from my other job. She also helped me start the paperwork for a temporary substitute provider for the few tasks I might not be able to do right after delivery (like helping with transfers to/from her wheelchair). For anyone else in this situation, I'd definitely recommend having that conversation with your social worker early in pregnancy. Mine was super helpful and even gave me contact info for other parents who've been through this before. It really helps to have official confirmation rather than just hoping everything works out! The one thing I'm still figuring out is timing - trying to coordinate when to start my SDI claim with when I'll actually need time off from work. Has anyone had experience with starting SDI early vs waiting until you actually can't work anymore?

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm also an IHSS provider (for my autistic teenage son) and work part-time at a local clinic. Not currently pregnant, but my husband and I have been talking about having another baby, so I'm saving all this information for the future. What really stands out to me from everyone's experiences is how important it is to have that conversation with your IHSS social worker early and get everything documented. It sounds like the people who had the smoothest experience were the ones who were proactive about planning and transparent with both agencies from the start. I'm also bookmarking that Claimyr service - I've had to call EDD before for other issues and it was absolutely brutal trying to get through. Having a way to actually reach a human being would be worth every penny! One thing I wanted to add for anyone reading this in the future: it might be worth asking your IHSS social worker if your county has any written policies about this situation. Having something official in writing could be really helpful if you run into any confusion with EDD or need to appeal a decision later. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that's so hard to find anywhere else!

This thread has been absolutely amazing - thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences! As someone who's been an IHSS provider for my disabled twin boys for the past 4 years while also working part-time at a daycare center, I've always wondered about this exact situation. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for about a year now, and honestly, the fear of losing income or messing up our benefits has been a huge source of stress. Reading through all your stories - both the success stories and the challenges - has given me so much more confidence that this is actually doable with proper planning. The consistent advice I'm seeing is: be transparent, document everything, talk to your social worker early, and understand that these are truly separate employment situations. I'm definitely going to have a conversation with our IHSS social worker at our next quarterly review, even though we're not pregnant yet. Better to have a plan in place! Also saving that Claimyr service info - I've had to call EDD before for other issues and it was a nightmare. Having a reliable way to actually talk to someone would be such a game changer. Thanks again to everyone for being so open about your experiences. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that you just can't get from official websites or pamphlets!

This thread has been so incredibly valuable! I'm currently an IHSS provider for my elderly grandmother with dementia and also work part-time at a local bakery. My partner and I just started trying for our first baby, so I'm frantically trying to understand how all these systems work together. What I'm taking away from everyone's experiences here is that success really comes down to three key things: 1) Early communication with your IHSS social worker, 2) Complete transparency with both agencies, and 3) Having backup plans for any tasks you might not be able to perform during recovery. The story about the 3-month investigation really scared me though! It sounds like having all your documentation organized and being super clear about which benefits apply to which job is crucial to avoid those kinds of nightmares. I'm definitely going to start that conversation with our social worker at our next visit, even though we're just starting to try. And I'm absolutely saving the Claimyr service info - the idea of being able to actually get through to EDD when needed seems almost too good to be true! Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences, especially the detailed step-by-step advice. This is exactly the kind of practical information that makes the difference between feeling completely overwhelmed and actually having a manageable plan.

This entire thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I'm an IHSS provider for my disabled adult sister and also work part-time at a medical supply company. My husband and I have been putting off trying for a baby specifically because I was terrified about how it would affect our benefits and income. Reading through everyone's real experiences - especially the detailed explanations about how SDI/PFL only applies to your regular employer while IHSS continues separately - has completely shifted my understanding. I honestly thought I'd have to choose between having children and maintaining our financial stability through IHSS. The consistent theme I'm seeing is preparation and communication. I'm definitely going to schedule a meeting with our IHSS social worker in the next few weeks to discuss this scenario, even though we haven't started trying yet. Based on everyone's advice, I'm also going to: 1. Start organizing all my current IHSS documentation 2. Research my company's maternity leave policies 3. Save the Claimyr service info for when I actually need to reach EDD 4. Ask my social worker for any written county policies about this situation Thank you so much to the original poster for asking this question, and to everyone who shared their stories - both the successes AND the horror stories. This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes the difference between feeling hopeless and actually having a path forward. You've all given me hope that we can actually make this work!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm an IHSS provider for my disabled uncle who has cerebral palsy, and I also work part-time at a local credit union. My husband and I are planning to start trying for our first baby next year, and honestly, I was completely in the dark about how all these benefits would interact. What's really striking me is how many people are in almost identical situations - it's both comforting and eye-opening to realize this is such a common scenario for IHSS providers who also work traditional jobs. The detailed explanations about SDI/PFL being separate from IHSS payments makes so much sense now that I understand the underlying logic. I'm taking notes on everyone's advice, especially about: - Getting ahead of it with early social worker discussions - Understanding that transparency is key with both agencies - Having backup plans for physical tasks during recovery - Keeping meticulous documentation of everything The Claimyr service recommendation has been mentioned so many times - clearly it's a game changer for actually getting through to EDD! I'm definitely bookmarking that. What really gives me confidence is seeing how many people have successfully navigated this exact situation. A year ago, I honestly thought having a baby might mean giving up either my IHSS work or my other job. Now I see it's totally doable with proper planning and preparation. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - this thread is going to help so many families like ours who are trying to balance caring for disabled family members while also building our own families!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm also an IHSS provider for my disabled nephew and work part-time at a restaurant. Not currently pregnant but my boyfriend and I have been talking about starting a family, and I had NO idea this was even possible until I found this discussion. The amount of practical, real-world advice here is incredible - from the specific form numbers to the Claimyr service recommendation to the detailed explanations about how these programs actually work together. I've been taking screenshots of all the key points because this is exactly the kind of information you can't find on any official website. What really stands out to me is how important early planning and communication seems to be. Everyone who had success stories mentioned talking to their social worker ahead of time and being completely transparent with both agencies. The horror stories seem to come from confusion or lack of preparation. I'm definitely going to have a conversation with our IHSS social worker at our next quarterly meeting, even though we're still just in the thinking-about-it phase. Better to understand the process now than be scrambling to figure it out when I actually need the benefits. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences - both good and challenging. This thread is going to help so many people in our situation navigate what seems like an impossible bureaucratic maze. Saving all of this info for when we're ready to take that next step!