Confused about timing - Can't file EDD claim before pregnancy leave date? SDI vs PFL difference?

You're correct that you can't file until right before your leave starts. For pregnancy, you file for State Disability Insurance (SDI) first - that covers you for the 4 weeks before birth and then typically 6-8 weeks after birth depending on delivery type (vaginal vs c-section). Then after your disability period ends, you transition to PFL for the baby bonding portion. The system won't let you file more than about 5-7 days before your actual leave start date. This is normal, though frustrating! Once you're within that window, you'll be able to submit your claim with the doctor's certification (DE2501) form.

same thing happened 2 me. its super annoying but yeah u gotta wait till ur almost starting leave. my hr told me wrong 2 and i was all stressed out for nothing lol. the before birth + healing after is disability (SDI) and then the baby time is PFL. make sure u have the right forms!

The EDD system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to make this process confusing and difficult. I went through this last year and it was a NIGHTMARE. They won't let you apply early, then take FOREVER to process, then blame YOU when there are delays. Technically it's SDI for pregnancy/recovery (4wks before + 6-8wks after depending on delivery) and then PFL for bonding (8 weeks). But nobody at EDD seems to understand their own system!!! BE PREPARED to fight for your money and benefits. Document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots. Keep a log of ALL communications.

To clarify what others have said: 1. Pregnancy leave is broken into two programs: State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) 2. SDI covers: - Up to 4 weeks before your due date - 6 weeks after vaginal birth OR 8 weeks after c-section - You file this claim using form DE2501 (doctor completes this) 3. PFL covers: - 8 weeks of baby bonding time - You file this claim AFTER your disability ends - Uses form DE2508 (no doctor signature needed) For timing: Yes, unfortunately, you cannot file your SDI claim until about 5-9 days before your actual leave start date. This is by design in their system. Once your SDI claim is established, they'll automatically send you information about transitioning to PFL. Despite the inability to file early, your benefits should be backdated to your first day of leave as long as you file within the appropriate window. Processing is currently taking about 2-3 weeks for initial payments.

I remember trying to submit my forms early too haha. When I called after getting frustrated with the online system, the EDD rep basically said "the computer knows your due date, so it won't let you file until closer to your leave start date." It's annoying but actually makes sense - they don't want claims in their system too far in advance since things can change (early delivery, complications, etc). I used Claimyr to reach EDD when I had questions during my transition from SDI to PFL - saved me hours of waiting on hold! Their site (claimyr.com) has a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Just make sure you keep all your claim numbers and paperwork organized because you'll need to reference them when you transition from disability to baby bonding.

When i was pregnant last year I also tried filing early and gotthe same message. But dont worry! Just mark your calendar for exactly 7 days before your leave starts and submit then. Thats what I did and it worked fine! Also my sister had a baby in January and her doctor put her on bedrest at 32 weeks (high blood pressure) and they let her file right away for that unexpected early leave. So I think the system is mainly preventing people from filing months in advance when the dates might change, but they are flexible for actual medical needs.

OMG I went through this exact same confusion 5 months ago! The whole SDI vs PFL thing is so unnecessarily complicated. Nobody tells you that it's TWO separate claims! For the record, my timeline was: - Filed SDI claim 5 days before leave - First payment arrived 12 days after filing - Had baby (c-section) - Got SDI for 8 weeks post-birth - Had to file separate claim for PFL - About 2 week gap in payments during transition - PFL payments for 8 weeks The transition between programs was the most confusing part. Make sure you don't wait until your SDI completely ends to file the PFL claim - you can actually file for PFL about a week before your disability ends to minimize gap.

hey just wanted to update - my benefits started like 10 days after i applied. backpay from the first day of leave. u will be ok! but yeah u cant apply early its stupid