Can I use EDD unemployment before switching to pregnancy disability/PFL with new employer?

Yes, you can definitely apply for unemployment now while you're between jobs! Since you were laid off through no fault of your own, you qualify for UI benefits. Then when you're about 36 weeks pregnant, you'd transition to Pregnancy Disability Leave (SDI). After birth, you'd move to PFL for baby bonding. The good news is that your 12 year work history should make you eligible for all these benefits. The important thing is to make sure you meet the base period earnings requirement, which looks at your wages from about 5-17 months before the claim. If you start working for the new owners before giving birth, you'd still file for SDI when needed and then PFL after. The transition from one employer to another shouldn't affect your eligibility since it's based on previous earnings.

i was in kinda the same boat last yr. got laid off at 5 mos preggo, did UI for 6 wks then got a new job, then went on disability at 36 wks. it all worked but watch out for the waiting period week on disability after UI!! they dont tell u about that and i had a week with no $$$$ which SUCKED

You're getting some incorrect information here. You must report to EDD when you return to work with the new owners. This will stop your unemployment benefits immediately. You cannot collect unemployment while employed - that's fraud. As for Disability (for pregnancy) and PFL (for bonding), your eligibility is based on earnings in the base period, typically 5-17 months before your claim. With 12 years at the same employer, you should qualify even with this employment gap. The process will be: 1. File UI now while unemployed 2. Stop UI when you start new job (report immediately) 3. File SDI at 36 weeks or when doctor certifies 4. After birth, transition to PFL for bonding Your benefit amount is calculated based on your highest-earning quarter in the base period, so all programs should pay roughly the same weekly amount.

When I had my baby last year I had THE WORST time reaching EDD about my benefits!!! I spent HOURS trying to get through on the phone and kept getting disconnected. Finally I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual EDD rep in like 15 minutes. Saved my sanity! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Just sharing because with all these transitions you're about to go through (UI→new job→disability→PFL) you'll probably need to talk to EDD at some point and the regular phone line is literally impossible.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!! I had a job change during my pregnancy last year and EDD MESSED UP MY CLAIM SO BAD I didn't get paid for 7 WEEKS!!! They kept saying my previous employer hadn't responded but I had PROOF they did!!! Make sure you KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING and get names of every single person you talk to at EDD. Take screenshots of your online account too. The online system is TERRIBLE and randomly deletes information. And don't count on getting your money on time - have backup savings if possible because EDD WILL mess something up!!!

I'm confused about something... doesn't PFL require you to be employed when you take it? Like if you're on unemployment, can you even switch to PFL? Because unemployment is for when you don't have a job, but PFL is for taking leave FROM a job, right? So which one is it?

I had my baby last year and the whole benefit system is so complicated! One thing I learned that nobody mentioned is that there are different FORMS for each program. For unemployment you file online, for disability you need your doctor to fill out a DE2501, and for baby bonding/PFL you need a DE2508. My doctor didn't know about this and I had to go back and get forms signed, which delayed everything. Just a heads up since you'll be switching between different programs!

One more important point: when you transition from UI to SDI (pregnancy disability), you must STOP certifying for UI benefits. Some people mistakenly continue certifying for UI while on SDI, which creates an overpayment situation. Also, in 2025, the SDI and PFL benefits will pay approximately 65-70% of your wages (based on your highest quarter earnings in the base period), up to a maximum of about $1,700 per week. The exact amount depends on your previous earnings. Once your doctor certifies you can't work (typically at 36 weeks or earlier if complications), file your SDI claim immediately. Then after birth, you'll need to file a separate PFL claim for the baby bonding portion.

has anyone had problems with the new employer when they started the new job and then had to go on leave right away? im wondering if thats gonna be awkward for the original poster... like they hire u back and then ur like 'btw im leaving in a month for maternity leave' lol

I went through a very similar situation 2 years ago! Was laid off at 7 months pregnant, collected UI for about 6 weeks, then got rehired by a different company. Here's what I learned: 1. Definitely be upfront with the new employer about your pregnancy and upcoming leave needs. I was worried about this too, but most employers appreciate the honesty and it's better than springing it on them later. 2. Document EVERYTHING with EDD - save screenshots, confirmation numbers, etc. When I transitioned from UI to SDI, there was a brief delay because they needed to verify my employment status change. 3. The benefit amounts should be similar across all programs since they're based on your base period earnings, but there might be slight differences in how they calculate the weekly amount. 4. Consider asking the new employer about their own maternity leave policies too - some offer additional benefits beyond state SDI/PFL. You're in a good position with 12 years of work history, so don't stress too much about eligibility. The timing is just a bit complicated but totally manageable!

I'm currently pregnant and dealing with something similar! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you do get rehired before your due date, make sure to ask about the company's own maternity leave policy on top of the state benefits. Some employers offer additional paid time off or will "top off" your SDI/PFL benefits to your full salary. Also, since you mentioned you're 6 months along, you might want to start gathering your documentation now - like pay stubs from your previous employer, any severance paperwork, etc. Having everything organized will make the transitions between UI → SDI → PFL much smoother. The good news is that with 12 years of continuous work history, you should definitely qualify for all the benefits. Just make sure to file each claim as soon as you're eligible - don't wait! Good luck with everything! 🤞

I went through almost the exact same situation! Was laid off at 5 months pregnant, collected UI for about 8 weeks, then got hired by a new company. Here's what I wish someone had told me: The hardest part was actually the conversation with the new employer about needing maternity leave so soon after starting. I was SO nervous, but I decided to be upfront during the interview process. I said something like "I'm excited about this opportunity and want to be transparent that I'm expecting in December and will need maternity leave." Most employers actually appreciated the honesty! One tip: when you transition from UI to SDI, there's sometimes a delay in processing, so try to file your SDI claim a few days before you actually stop working (if you get rehired). Your doctor can usually certify you at 36 weeks even if you're still technically able to work. Also, keep detailed records of all your claim numbers and correspondence. I had to reference my UI claim when filing for SDI because they wanted to verify the employment gap. You're going to be fine with your work history - 12 years is way more than enough for all the benefits. The timing is just a bit tricky but totally doable! Feel free to message me if you have specific questions as you go through this process.

I'm currently dealing with a similar situation and this thread has been SO helpful! I was laid off at 5 months pregnant and have been stressing about how to navigate UI → SDI → PFL benefits. One thing I wanted to add is that when I called EDD to ask about transitioning between programs, they told me to make sure I understand the timing for each program. You can't overlap benefits - so when you start SDI, you must stop UI immediately. And then PFL starts after your disability period ends (usually 6-8 weeks after birth for vaginal delivery, 8-10 weeks for C-section). Also, I learned that your PFL can be used for bonding with the baby up until the child's first birthday, so you don't have to take it all immediately after your disability ends. You could potentially return to work briefly and then take PFL later if that works better with your situation. With your 12 years of work history, you should definitely qualify for everything. The job change makes it a bit more complicated paperwork-wise, but the benefits are based on your previous earnings so you should be covered. Hang in there - it's stressful but manageable! 💪

I'm going through something very similar right now! I was laid off at 4 months pregnant and have been on UI for about 3 weeks. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the different forms needed and the potential gap week between UI and SDI. One thing I wanted to add is that when I spoke with an EDD rep last week, they emphasized that if you do get rehired before going on disability, make sure your new employer reports your hire date correctly to EDD. Apparently there can be delays if the employment verification doesn't match up properly between the UI system and SDI system. Also, I've started keeping a pregnancy/benefits binder with all my paperwork - pay stubs from my old job, my UI claim confirmation, doctor's notes, etc. After reading about all the potential issues people have had with EDD losing information or claims getting stuck, I figure it's better to be over-prepared! Your situation sounds totally manageable with your work history. The timing is just complicated but everyone here has shown it can definitely be done. Best of luck with everything! 🤞

I'm a new mom who went through a job transition during pregnancy last year, and I wanted to share some additional insights that might help! One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also consider the timing of when you file your SDI claim in relation to your due date. I filed mine exactly at 36 weeks as recommended, but then my baby came 2 weeks early! This created a small complication because EDD had to adjust my claim dates. If there's any indication your baby might come early (family history, etc.), you might want to discuss filing slightly earlier with your doctor. Also, regarding the new employer situation - I found it helpful to research their company culture around family benefits before accepting the position. Some companies are genuinely supportive of working parents, while others just do the legal minimum. LinkedIn and Glassdoor reviews can give you insights into how they've treated other employees in similar situations. One last tip: when you're ready to return to work after PFL, make sure you understand your rights under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and CFRA if applicable. Some employers try to change your role or responsibilities when you return, and it's good to know what protections you have. Your 12 years of work history definitely puts you in a strong position for all the benefits! The administrative complexity is the hardest part, but the financial safety net will be there for you and your baby. 🍼

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been following this thread closely because I'm in a somewhat similar situation! I'm 4 months pregnant and just started a new job after being laid off, so reading everyone's experiences with navigating EDD benefits during job transitions has been incredibly valuable. One thing I wanted to add that might help is about the base period calculations - I learned from my HR department that EDD looks at quarters, not just continuous employment. So even though you had that gap between jobs, your 12 years of steady work history should definitely establish a strong base period for calculating your benefits. The quarters from 5-17 months ago (when you were still with your original employer) are what matter most for determining your weekly benefit amount. Also, I've been keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking all the important dates and deadlines for each benefit program after reading about everyone's experiences. It includes things like when to file SDI (36 weeks), when my doctor visits are scheduled, my expected due date, etc. Having it all in one place has really helped me feel more organized and less overwhelmed by all the moving pieces. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been such a lifeline for understanding this complicated system! Wishing you the best with your situation, Chloe! 🤗

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through a very similar situation just 6 months ago! I was laid off at 7 months pregnant and managed to navigate the UI → SDI → PFL transition successfully, though it definitely had some bumps along the way. First, you absolutely can collect unemployment now since you were laid off through no fault of your own. With your 12 years of work history, you'll easily meet all the base period requirements for UI, SDI, and PFL - that continuous employment is actually a huge advantage! A few things I learned that might help: - When you do get rehired (fingers crossed!), you MUST report it to EDD immediately to stop UI benefits - There's typically a 1-week waiting period when transitioning from UI to SDI that nobody warns you about - plan for that gap - Keep meticulous records of everything because EDD's systems don't always communicate well with each other - If you get the new job before your due date, you can still file for SDI at 36 weeks and then PFL after birth The most nerve-wracking part for me was having "the conversation" with my new employer about needing maternity leave so soon after starting. I decided to be upfront during the hiring process and it actually went much better than expected - most employers appreciate the honesty rather than being surprised later. Your situation is definitely manageable! The paperwork is the hardest part, but the safety net will be there. Feel free to reach out if you have questions as you navigate this - we're all here to help each other! 💪