EDD Maternity Leave Extension - Tracking Supplemental Certificate & Payment Timeline?

I went through this exact situation last year! There's no direct way to check if EDD received your doctor's certificate unfortunately. Your best options are: 1) Call your doctor's office to confirm they've submitted it (they usually fax it directly to EDD), 2) Check your EDD online account daily for updates, or 3) Call EDD directly to ask. As for timeline, my extension took about 10-12 days to process after my doctor submitted the paperwork. The payments resumed pretty quickly after approval, like 3-4 days. The good news is that if there's a gap between your regular SDI ending and extension approval, they'll backpay you for that period once approved.

they should back pay u for the days u missed. jst make sure ur doc actually sent it in cuz mine 'forgot' and i had to call like 3 times to get them to send it!!!

I remember how stressful this was when I had to extend my maternity leave after a C-section. The system is NOT designed to make this easy on us new moms! Here's what I learned: EDD doesn't notify you when they receive the supplemental certificate. The only way to confirm is by calling them directly at 1-800-480-3287. But we all know how impossible it is to get through... I struggled for TWO WEEKS trying to reach someone, constantly being disconnected or waiting for hours. Then I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connected me to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. Totally worth it to avoid the stress! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Once approved, my extension payments started within 5 business days. Make sure you've also filled out any certification forms they send - those are required before they release payments.

The lack of communication from EDD is absolutely infuriating! In my experience helping clients navigate this system, here's what you need to know: 1) There is NO automated notification system to tell you when they receive medical documentation. It's a ridiculous oversight in their process. 2) Processing times for SDI extensions currently range from 7-14 business days (though I've seen it take up to 3 weeks during busy periods). 3) IMPORTANT: Make sure your doctor used the correct form - it should be a DE2501C for Supplemental Disability. Some doctors mistakenly submit a new initial claim which creates massive delays. 4) When your extension is approved, you'll see a new "Benefit End Date" in your online account. 5) For your transition to PFL baby bonding after disability ends, you'll need to file a NEW claim using the DE2501FP form. Do this about 1-2 weeks before your disability extension ends to avoid gaps in payment. Hope this helps! The system is broken but knowing exactly what to expect makes it somewhat manageable.

I HATE the EDD system with a passion!!! I was in your exact situation in March and it was HELL trying to get answers. Called 37 times in one day and couldn't get through. My disability extension took 19 days to process and I almost missed a mortgage payment because of their incompetence. The worst part is they make us jump through all these hoops while we're trying to recover and take care of newborns. WHO DESIGNED THIS SYSTEM?? The whole thing is designed to make us give up. My advice: document EVERYTHING. Every call, every person you talk to, every form submission. They lost my paperwork TWICE and tried to blame me for it.

my doc took 5 days to send it in and edd took about 9 days to approve after that. got paid like 4 days later. hang in there!!

Hey there! Just went through this myself when my maternity leave was extended due to postpartum issues. So I had my regular pregnandy disability, then they extended it, and now I'm on baby bonding leave. One thing no one mentioned - when you DO finally get approved for the extension, you'll get a text message and/or email notification that your claim has been "updated" but it doesn't specifically say it was approved. It's super vague! Then you have to log into your account to see the new end date. Also, random side question but did you know if you're breastfeeding, you can get a free breast pump through insurance? Totally unrelated but it saved me $$$!

Just to add a quick update on current processing times - I'm hearing from recent clients that SDI extension reviews are taking closer to 14-18 days right now due to staff shortages at EDD (as of April 2025). They're prioritizing initial claims over extensions, unfortunately. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits during this waiting period. Some people stop certifying while waiting for extension approval, which creates even more delays.

Good news! After your disability extension ends, the transition to baby bonding PFL is usually much smoother. The processing time for PFL is typically 5-7 days once you submit the DE2501FP form. Also, don't forget that if you have any paid leave through your employer (vacation, PTO, etc.), you can coordinate that with your state benefits. Some employers even offer supplemental benefits that top-up your state payments to match your full salary. Worth checking your company's parental leave policy if you haven't already!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation right now! My doctor submitted my extension paperwork 10 days ago and I'm still waiting to hear back from EDD. The anxiety is real - especially when you're already dealing with recovery and a newborn. One tip that helped me stay sane: I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all my dates (when I requested the form from my doctor, when they said they'd submit it, when I called to follow up, etc.). It's helped me stay organized instead of just sitting around wondering what's happening. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the Claimyr service earlier - I'm seriously considering trying it if I don't hear something by Friday. Has anyone else here actually used it? I'm desperate to talk to a real person at EDD but those hold times are absolutely brutal when you're caring for a baby. Really hoping both of us hear good news soon! This whole process is way more stressful than it needs to be during what's already such a challenging time.