Do I need to certify for EDD SDI during pregnancy disability before transitioning to PFL baby bonding?

No, you don't have to certify every two weeks for pregnancy disability like you do with unemployment. After your doctor submits the initial SDI claim (form DE2501), the payments should come automatically while you're disabled. However, you WILL need to file a separate PFL claim for baby bonding after your disability period ends. That's a different form (DE2508) that you'll need to file about 1-2 weeks before your disability ends. Make sure your doctor puts your expected disability end date correctly on your initial form. Usually it's 6 weeks after vaginal birth or 8 weeks after c-section, but it could be longer if there are complications.

I just went through this whole process and it was SO confusing! Here's what happened for me: 1. Doctor filed my SDI claim at 36 weeks 2. Got my EDD debit card 8 days later with first payment loaded 3. Had baby 2 weeks later (emergency c-section!) 4. Payments kept coming every 2 weeks WITHOUT me doing anything 5. Around week 6 postpartum I applied for PFL baby bonding 6. Had a 1-week gap between last SDI payment and first PFL payment The transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding was the trickiest part! Don't wait until your SDI ends completely to apply for PFL. Do it about 2 weeks before you expect your disability to end.

your doctor files all the forms!!! i didnt have to do anything for the disability part. they submitted everything and money just showed up. baby bonding is the part where YOU have to file paperwork. thats the PFL part not the SDI part

You're getting some good info here, but I want to add that while you don't need to certify for SDI, you DO need to keep an eye on your claim. Login to your SDI Online account regularly to make sure everything's processing correctly. I've seen too many people have issues because they thought everything was automatic and then learned too late that something was wrong with their claim. Also, the transition from SDI to PFL is where most people run into problems. The EDD doesn't automatically transition you - you must file the PFL claim separately, and timing is critical. File too early and they'll deny it; file too late and you'll have a gap in benefits. One more thing - if you have any issues reaching EDD by phone (which is very likely), I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual EDD agent when I had issues with my SDI to PFL transition. Here's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5

I thought I needed to certify for my pregnancy leave too! The whole system is SO CONFUSING. My doctor submitted the disability form and I got payments without doing anything else. BUT - and this is important - make sure your doctor gets the form in ASAP. Mine waited until I was already out on leave and it delayed my first payment by THREE WEEKS. I was freaking out about bills! Also make sure you understand the difference between SDI and PFL because theyre totally different programs even though they both come from EDD. Disability is for when youre physically unable to work because of pregnancy/childbirth. Baby bonding is for after youre physically recovered but want to bond with your baby. This confused me so much at first!

To answer your follow-up question: I recommend applying for baby bonding PFL online through your SDI Online account. It's faster than paper forms. You can submit it 1-2 weeks before your pregnancy disability claim ends. Here's the process: 1. Log in to SDI Online 2. Select "New Claim" 3. Select "Paid Family Leave" 4. Choose "Bonding with new child" 5. Complete the application You'll need your child's birth certificate or hospital documentation, so have that ready. You'll also need to indicate your baby bonding schedule (consecutive weeks or intermittent). The online system is usually more reliable than paper forms, which can get lost in processing.

Everyone here is talking about the TECHNICAL side but let me tell you about the REALITY of dealing with EDD...prepare for frustration! My sister just had her baby in November and her disability payments stopped randomly after 4 weeks with no explanation. She called EDD every day for TWO WEEKS and couldn't get through! When she finally did, they said some document was "missing" that they never told her about. The EDD system is BROKEN especially for new moms who have enough to deal with!!! And yes, you're supposed to get disability automatically once approved but DON'T COUNT ON IT. Keep checking your account and be prepared to fight for your benefits!!!!

To answer your earlier question to me - I applied for PFL online and it was pretty straightforward. The one-week gap between benefits was stressful (especially since no one warned me about it), but I had planned ahead financially just in case. One important thing - when your disability claim is approved, they'll give you an estimated end date for your SDI benefits. This is usually based on a standard recovery time. Apply for PFL about 9-10 days before that estimated end date. If you apply too early, they might deny it. If you apply too late, you'll have a bigger gap in payments. Also, save EVERYTHING. Every piece of paper, every confirmation number, take screenshots of your online submissions. You'll be glad you did if something goes wrong and you need to prove you submitted something.

As someone who just went through this entire process last year, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help! First, create a calendar reminder to check your SDI Online account weekly once your claim is approved. Even though payments are automatic, I caught an issue early because I was monitoring regularly. Second, start gathering documents for your PFL application NOW - you'll need your baby's birth certificate or hospital record of birth, and sometimes getting these documents takes longer than expected when you're juggling a newborn. Third, consider opening a separate savings account for your maternity leave funds. EDD payments come on a different schedule than regular paychecks, and having everything in one place helps with budgeting during this transition. Lastly, don't be afraid to reach out to your local EDD office if you run into issues. Sometimes the in-person staff can resolve problems faster than the phone system. You've got this! The process seems overwhelming at first, but once you understand the flow from SDI to PFL, it becomes much more manageable.

I'm a new mom who just finished this whole process a few months ago, and I want to echo what others have said - the SDI part really is mostly automatic once your doctor submits the initial claim! But here's something I wish someone had told me: when you get your EDD debit card, set up text alerts immediately. I almost missed a payment issue because I wasn't checking regularly enough. Also, regarding the transition to PFL - I found it helpful to call EDD about a week after submitting my baby bonding application just to confirm it was received and processing. Yes, the wait times are brutal, but it gave me peace of mind during an already stressful time. One more tip: if you're planning to take your full 8 weeks of baby bonding time, you can split it up! I took 6 weeks consecutively right after my disability ended, then saved my last 2 weeks for when my partner went back to work. Just make sure to indicate this on your application. The flexibility really helped our family transition. Congratulations on your pregnancy and don't stress too much about the paperwork - once you get through the initial setup, the system actually works pretty well!