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!