Confused about SDI/PDL extensions with doctor's note - first pregnancy & new county job

I was in a similar situation last year - county job and all! Yes, your doctor can extend SDI beyond the typical 10 weeks if medically necessary. They'll need to fill out the specific SDI extension forms though, not just a general note. The note you gave HR is probably just for their records. You should apply for SDI right away! Like literally tomorrow. You don't need to attach paystubs - EDD gets your wage info directly from your employer. And don't worry about the unemployment from last year, it won't affect your SDI eligibility as long as you've earned enough in your base period. Word of warning: the online SDI application is AWFUL. Set aside at least an hour and have all your info ready!

u can apply 9 days b4 ur last day of work OR the 1st day after. so tomorrow is fine. the initial SDI is for pregnency disbality, ur doctor will fill out the form and send it in. u dont need to worry about that part. they kno what their doing.

Let me clarify a few things about Pregnancy Disability Leave and State Disability Insurance (SDI): 1) Yes, SDI can be extended beyond the standard 4 weeks before/6 weeks after if medically necessary. Your doctor must certify this by completing the appropriate section on your DE2501 form and any subsequent certification forms. 2) For SDI, your doctor MUST complete and sign their portion of the DE2501 Claim Form. The note you gave HR is separate and not sufficient for EDD. Many OB offices are familiar with this process. 3) You can apply for SDI within 49 days of your disability starting (your last day of work). Apply online through SDI Online for fastest processing. 4) Your prior unemployment should not impact your SDI eligibility as long as you've earned enough wages in your base period (typically 5-18 months before your claim). Regarding your county position, since you don't qualify for FMLA/CFRA due to job tenure, you'll want to confirm how long your job will be protected under PDL (typically up to 4 months if medically necessary). After your recovery period ends, you'll transition to PFL for baby bonding if you want additional time with your newborn.

I went through this exact nightmare last year! The system is so complicated and HR departments are USELESS! 😤 My advice - don't trust what your HR says and double check EVERYTHING! When I had my baby, my HR told me similar things about not qualifying for FMLA but then later I found out I was actually eligible for CFRA baby bonding even though I didn't qualify for FMLA! They're completely different programs with different requirements!! Also, make sure you follow up with EDD constantly because they "lost" my paperwork TWICE and I went without pay for 6 weeks while pregnant! It was horrible!!!!

To directly answer your questions: 1) Yes, with proper medical certification, SDI can extend beyond standard pregnancy timeframes. Your doctor must document medical necessity. 2) Your doctor MUST complete their portion of the DE2501 form specifically for SDI. The note for HR is separate and won't satisfy EDD requirements. 3) You can apply as early as 9 days before your disability begins or up to 49 days after. Apply online through SDI Online for fastest processing. No paystubs needed - EDD accesses your wage data through your employer's reporting. 4) Previous unemployment doesn't affect SDI eligibility as long as you've earned sufficient wages in your base period. Important tip: There's a 7-day unpaid waiting period for SDI claims, so benefits begin on the 8th day of your disability. Plan your finances accordingly. I had so much trouble getting through to EDD when I needed to check on my claim status. After days of calling, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Definitely worth it when you're stressing about your claim and need answers fast!

Just FYI - a lot of people mix up SDI and PFL, they are NOT the same thing! SDI is for when you're disabled from pregnancy and recovery (before birth and right after). PFL is for BONDING with baby after you're no longer disabled. Two separate claims! You'll first be on SDI, then transition to PFL for bonding. Each has different forms. SDI uses DE2501, PFL uses DE2508.

I'm also a county employee (different county) and had a baby last year! Since you don't qualify for FMLA/CFRA protection yet, just be aware that PDL only protects your job for up to 4 months IF medically necessary. So if your doctor extends your disability, you're covered, but once you're recovered and want to take baby bonding time, your job might not be protected. My county allowed me to take unpaid leave after PDL/SDI ended even though I didn't qualify for FMLA, but it was at my department's discretion. Worth asking about!

One more thing - when you apply for SDI, you'll create an SDI Online account. SAVE YOUR ACCOUNT INFO! You'll need it again when you transition to PFL for baby bonding (assuming you take that too). I forgot mine and had to go through this whole reset process right after having my baby when I was sleep deprived and miserable. Also, make sure your doctor's office submits their portion promptly. Call and confirm they did it, because my claim was delayed for weeks because my doctor's office was slow sending in their part.

Welcome to the world of California's confusing leave system! 😅 I just went through this myself 6 months ago as a first-time mom. A few things that might help: Your timing is perfect - applying tomorrow is ideal since you can apply up to 9 days before your last work day. The DE2501 form everyone mentioned is crucial - make sure your OB knows they need to complete the medical certification section. Most pregnancy practices are very familiar with this form. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to EDD. I mean everything - your application, your doctor's certification, any follow-up paperwork. EDD's system can be glitchy and having your own records saved me when they claimed they never received my doctor's form. Also, since you're county, check if your benefits office has any supplemental programs. Some counties have additional disability benefits that can help bridge gaps in coverage. The 7-day waiting period is real, so budget for that first week being unpaid. But once payments start, they're usually pretty consistent. Good luck mama! You've got this! 💪

Hey there! First-time mom here who just went through this whole SDI/PDL maze a few months ago with my county job. The stress is SO real, especially when HR gives you the runaround! A couple things that really helped me: - Download the DE2501 form from EDD's website and bring it to your OB appointment so they can see exactly what they need to fill out. Some offices appreciate having it in advance. - When you apply online tomorrow, take screenshots of your confirmation page and write down your claim number somewhere safe. You'll need it for literally everything. - Since you're county, ask if they participate in any wage continuation programs during disability leave. Some counties will supplement your SDI payments to bring you closer to your full salary. The income eligibility for SDI is based on your wages in the last 5-18 months, so your unemployment period last year shouldn't hurt you since you've been working steadily since then. One last thing - if you end up needing extensions, don't wait until the last minute to get the paperwork from your doctor. EDD can be slow to process extensions and any gap in approval means a gap in payments. Start the conversation with your OB early if you think you might need extra time. You're going to do great! The system is confusing but manageable once you get through the initial application. 💙

Hey Henrietta! I just went through this exact situation 8 months ago - also a county employee, also first pregnancy, also got super unhelpful info from HR! A few quick tips that saved me stress: 1) Yes, apply for SDI tomorrow! The sooner the better since there's that 7-day waiting period everyone mentioned. 2) Call your OB office today if possible and ask them specifically about the DE2501 form. Some offices prefer you to pick it up in person rather than having it mailed. 3) Keep checking your SDI Online account regularly after you apply - sometimes they need additional info and the notifications can be easy to miss. 4) Your unemployment from last year definitely won't affect anything since you've been working consistently since September. The whole process is honestly a nightmare to navigate, but once you get through the initial application it gets easier. And don't feel bad about your HR being useless - seems to be a common theme with county HR departments unfortunately! You've got this mama! Feel free to ask if you have more questions as you go through the process. This community has been a lifesaver for so many of us! 💕

Hi Henrietta! Fellow county employee here who just navigated this whole SDI maze earlier this year. Your questions are totally valid - the system is confusing and county HR departments seem to specialize in giving vague, unhelpful answers! 🤦‍♀️ A few things that helped me: - Apply for SDI tomorrow for sure! You're in the perfect window. - Your doctor will need to complete the DE2501 form specifically for EDD - the note you gave HR is separate. Most OB offices are familiar with this, but definitely confirm they know which form you need. - Keep detailed records of everything you submit. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking what I sent, when I sent it, and confirmation numbers. - The 7-day waiting period is no joke, so budget accordingly for that first week being unpaid. For extensions beyond the standard timeframe, your doctor can absolutely certify additional time if medically necessary, and SDI will continue to pay during that extended period. Just make sure any extension paperwork gets submitted before your current certification expires to avoid payment gaps. Your previous unemployment won't affect your SDI eligibility since you've been working steadily for almost 10 months now. EDD looks at your base period wages, not unemployment history. Hang in there - once you get through the initial application process, it does get easier! This community is amazing for support when you hit roadblocks. Good luck mama! 💙

Hey Henrietta! Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 I just went through this whole SDI/PDL process as a new mom working for a city government (similar situation to county). One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - when you apply for SDI tomorrow, make sure to select "pregnancy" as your disability type and be specific about your due date. The system automatically calculates your benefit period based on this info. Also, since you mentioned being stressed about income - SDI typically pays about 60-70% of your wages (up to a weekly maximum). It's not your full salary, so definitely factor that into your budgeting along with that 7-day waiting period everyone mentioned. For what it's worth, my government HR was also pretty useless with SDI questions. They're great with regular benefits but seem clueless about state disability programs. I ended up getting most of my helpful info from online forums like this one! One last tip: when you create your SDI Online account, use an email you check regularly. EDD sends important updates there and some are time-sensitive. You're doing great by asking these questions ahead of time instead of scrambling at the last minute. Best of luck with everything! 💕

Hey Henrietta! I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant and also working for a county government, so I totally understand the stress and confusion you're going through! The lack of clear guidance from HR is so frustrating when you're trying to plan for such an important time. Just wanted to add a couple things I've learned while researching this myself: - Make sure when you apply tomorrow that you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment start date handy. The online application will ask for these details. - Since you mentioned rent concerns - definitely plan for that 7-day waiting period plus potentially 1-2 weeks for processing before your first payment arrives. Some people get their first payment faster, but it's better to budget conservatively. - I've heard from other county employees that it's worth asking your benefits office about using accrued sick time to supplement your income during the waiting period or to top off the SDI payments (since it's only partial wage replacement). The fact that you're getting organized and asking these questions now puts you way ahead of where I was at this stage! This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all these confusing programs. Wishing you the best of luck with your application tomorrow! 🤗

Hey Henrietta! First off, congratulations on your pregnancy! 🎉 I can totally relate to the stress you're feeling - I went through this same situation about 18 months ago as a newer state employee (not county, but similar benefits situation). Everyone here has given you fantastic advice, but I wanted to add one thing that really helped me: when you call your OB office about the DE2501 form, ask them about their typical turnaround time for completing and submitting it back to EDD. Some offices are super quick (2-3 days) while others can take 1-2 weeks. Knowing this upfront helped me plan better and follow up appropriately. Also, since you mentioned your HR being practically useless (ugh, why is this SO common?!), I'd suggest documenting everything in writing. Send follow-up emails after any conversations with them about your leave so you have a paper trail. This saved me when there was confusion about my return-to-work date later on. One more tip: if you end up needing to call EDD for any reason during your claim, try calling right when they open (8am). The hold times are usually shorter in the morning before everyone else starts calling. You're being so smart by getting organized ahead of time! The whole process is overwhelming but totally manageable once you get through the initial paperwork. This community is amazing for support - definitely keep us posted on how it goes! 💪

Hi Henrietta! I'm a newcomer here but wanted to chime in since I just went through this exact situation 4 months ago - county employee, first pregnancy, completely clueless HR department! Everyone has given you amazing advice already, but I wanted to add one thing that really helped me: create a calendar reminder to check your SDI Online account every few days after you apply. Sometimes EDD needs additional documentation or clarification, and their email notifications can end up in spam folders. I almost missed an important request for additional info because of this! Also, since you're applying tomorrow, make sure you're applying on a computer if possible rather than your phone. The mobile version of SDI Online can be glitchy and you don't want to risk any technical issues during your application. One last thing - don't be surprised if your first payment amount seems confusing. SDI calculates your weekly benefit based on your highest quarter earnings in your base period, and they'll send you a breakdown showing how they calculated it. I spent way too much time trying to figure out their math before realizing it was correct! 😅 You're going to do great! This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all these confusing programs. The stress is so real but you're being proactive by asking all the right questions. Good luck tomorrow! 🍀

Hi Henrietta! Congratulations on your pregnancy! 🎉 I'm new to this community but wanted to share some insights since I recently navigated the SDI process as a government employee (federal, but similar benefits situation). One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you might want to ask your county about their "integration" policy with SDI. Some government employers will supplement your SDI payments using your accrued sick/vacation time to bring you closer to your full salary during leave. Not all do this, but it's worth asking since you mentioned being worried about making rent. Also, when you apply tomorrow, double-check that your employer information is exactly as it appears on your paystubs - any discrepancies can delay processing. And definitely save/screenshot your confirmation number like others mentioned! The process is definitely overwhelming, especially as a first-time parent, but you're asking all the right questions. Everyone here has given such solid advice. One small addition: consider setting up direct deposit for your SDI payments during the application process if you can - it's faster than waiting for checks in the mail. Best of luck with your application tomorrow! This community is such a great resource for support during this confusing process. 💪

Hi Henrietta! Welcome to the community! 🎉 I'm new here too but just went through this exact process 6 months ago as a county employee with my first baby. One thing that really helped me that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - when you apply for SDI tomorrow, make sure you answer the questions about whether you plan to return to work very carefully. Since you don't qualify for FMLA job protection yet, being clear about your intent to return can be important for your county's records. Also, I'd recommend calling your county's benefits office (not HR) if they have a separate one. Sometimes the benefits specialists are way more knowledgeable about SDI than regular HR staff. They might also know about any county-specific programs that could help supplement your income. Quick tip for the application: when it asks about your last day worked, make sure that matches exactly what you told your supervisor/HR. Any discrepancies can cause delays in processing. The anxiety about money is so real - I was stressed about the same things! But once you get through the initial application and get your first payment, the process becomes much more predictable. You're being so smart to get organized ahead of time rather than scrambling at the last minute like I did! Good luck tomorrow! Feel free to update us on how it goes - this community is amazing for ongoing support! 💕