Can I use my old EDD account from 2019 for new maternity claim in 2025?
Hey mamas! So excited (and nervous) about baby #2 arriving next month!! Just starting my maternity leave today and realized I'm completely blanking on how this all works. Back in 2019 when I had my daughter, I created an EDD online account to manage my maternity claim. I still have the login info somewhere... Can I just use that same account to file my new pregnancy disability and baby bonding claims for this pregnancy? Or do I need to create a whole new account? The EDD website is so confusing and I can't get through on the phone. Anyone deal with this recently? Don't want to mess anything up with my benefits!
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Amina Diallo
yes u can use the same account!! i used mine from 2021 for my 2nd baby last month. everything is tied to ur SSN anyway
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CosmicCowboy
•Oh thank goodness! One less thing to worry about. Did you find it pretty straightforward to start the new claim? I barely remember how I did it last time.
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Oliver Schulz
You definitely use the same account! Your Benefits Programs Online (BPO) account stays with you forever. Just log in with your existing username/password, and you'll be able to file a new claim for this pregnancy. The system will walk you through applying for Pregnancy Disability first (DE2501), then later you'll transition to PFL Baby Bonding (DE2508) after delivery. One thing to note - since it's been several years since you logged in, you might need to reset security questions or update your contact info. And they've updated the system since 2019, so the interface will look different, but the basic process is the same.
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Natasha Orlova
•So werid, when I tried doing this they kept telling me I needed a whole new account! The EDD rep literally kept insisting I start over because "the system was completely different now" - such a waste of time when I could have just used my old one. The inconsistency with their info is INFURIATING!!!! 😡
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Oliver Schulz
•That's frustrating! Unfortunately, some reps give incorrect information. The official EDD guidance states you should use your existing BPO account. If you create multiple accounts with the same SSN, it can actually cause problems with your claims being linked correctly.
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Javier Cruz
Hi there! As others have said, you should definitely use your existing account. I work in HR and help employees with maternity leave paperwork all the time. A few important things to remember: 1. If you've forgotten your password, use the password recovery option rather than creating a new account 2. Make sure your employer information is updated if you've changed jobs since 2019 3. Your pregnancy disability claim (SDI) needs to be filed first, then you'll file for PFL baby bonding after delivery 4. The system now allows you to upload medical certification forms directly in the portal instead of mailing them 5. Be sure to check your inbox regularly as most communication happens through the portal now The process is actually much more streamlined now than it was in 2019!
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CosmicCowboy
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'm with the same employer but totally forgot about making sure my contact info is updated. And I didn't know about the direct upload feature - that should save some time!
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Emma Wilson
Anyone else having trouble getting through to EDD on the phone lately? I've been trying for TWO WEEKS to reach someone about my maternity claim that's stuck in pending status. Called over 45 times and either get disconnected or am on hold for 2+ hours only to get hung up on when they transfer me. I'm about to lose my mind and my bills are piling up!!! ðŸ˜
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Malik Thomas
•Try using Claimyr! I was in the exact same situation last month - my claim was pending for weeks and I couldn't get through. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically calls EDD for you and connects you when they get an agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 It saved me hours of frustration. I got connected in about 25 minutes instead of spending all day calling. The agent was able to fix the issue with my claim right away.
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NeonNebula
Everyone saying just use the old account is technically correct but omg the EDD system is SO MUCH DIFFERENT from 2019!!! Trust me, I went through this last year with my second baby. You'll probably need to update a bunch of security stuff and the whole interface is different. And heads up that they're WAY slower processing claims now than they were in 2019. My first claim in 2018 took like 10 days to process but last year it took almost 3 weeks! Just plan financially for that delay. And make sure you're really specific about your last day worked and first day of disability on the form or they'll kick it back to you.
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CosmicCowboy
•Oh wow, 3 weeks is a long time! I better make sure we have enough savings to cover that gap. Thanks for the heads up about being specific with the dates too.
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Isabella Costa
i think im the only one who had an entirely different experience lol. i tried to use my old account from 2020 this year and it was a complete disaster. the system wouldn't recognize my username anymore and when i tried to recover it, they said my email wasn't associated with any accounts?? ended up having to call (nightmare) and the rep just told me to create a new account. so confusing why some ppl have to make new ones and others don't
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Javier Cruz
•That's strange - the inconsistency in experiences is concerning. Did you by chance change your email address or legal name between pregnancies? That sometimes causes account recognition issues. In those cases, it's usually better to go through account recovery rather than creating a new account, but if the rep specifically instructed you to create a new one, they may have seen something in the system requiring it.
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Amina Diallo
make sure u file ur claim as soon as ur doctor says u can go out! u get 4 weeks b4 ur due date for the pregnancy disability. and then 8 weeks after for baby bonding if u had c section (or 6 weeks if regular delivery). but DONT file the baby bonding part until after u have the baby - i made that mistake and had to start over lol
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CosmicCowboy
•Thanks for the reminder about the timing! My doctor just signed off on me starting leave today (I'm 36 weeks). Planning to file the claim tonight once I dig up my old login info. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!
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