Military spouse moved to CA - do I qualify for PFL with only 5 months of SDI contributions before birth?

The base period calculator is probably showing $0 because you don't have CA wages in the correct quarters they're looking at. For a March 2025 birth, EDD would look at wages from Oct 2023-Sept 2024 as your base period. Since you just started contributing in Oct 2024, those contributions fall into what's called the "lag quarter" which doesn't count toward your initial eligibility. Military spouses do have some special considerations for unemployment benefits when relocating, but for disability/PFL benefits, you still need to meet the same earnings requirements as everyone else. You need to have earned at least $300 in your base period from a job covered by SDI. You might still have options though - did your employer withhold SDI from your paychecks starting Oct 1st? Can you verify this on your pay stubs?

my cousin moved here from Texas when her husband got stationed at Pendleton and had the same issue. she ended up getting NOTHING even after paying into SDI for like 4 months before having her baby. the system is so unfair to military families who move around!!

Unfortunately, the previous posters are correct about the base period requirements. EDD strictly uses the base period formula (which looks at older quarters) regardless of your current contributions. The military spouse provisions primarily help with unemployment benefits, not disability or PFL. However, there might be two options worth exploring: 1. If you worked for the same employer before moving to CA, and they've been withholding SDI since October, you could potentially file what's called a "Voluntary Plan" claim. Some employers have their own disability plans that coordinate with CA. 2. When exactly in March is your due date? If it's late March, you might be able to strategically time your disability claim to start in April, which would use a different base period (Jan-Dec 2024) and might include some of your California earnings.

have u actually CALLED the EDD to confirm this?? the website calculators are notoriously inaccurate and u might actually qualify! dont just trust the online calculator. i spent WEEKS thinking i didn't qualify based on the online system but when i finally got through to a rep they confirmed i was eligible.

Getting through to EDD is nearly impossible these days! I was in a similar situation (not military, but recently moved to CA) and spent 2 weeks trying to reach someone. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 It was worth it because the agent I spoke with explained exactly which quarters they were looking at and confirmed I wouldn't qualify for SDI based on my start date. But at least I got a definitive answer and could plan accordingly. Talking directly to an agent is the only way to get accurate information about your specific situation.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY BENEFITS!!! I'm so tired of EDD screwing over people who actually pay into the system. They use these arbitrary "base periods" to avoid paying out benefits to people who are LITERALLY CONTRIBUTING RIGHT NOW. It's especially cruel to military families who have no choice about when they move. You pay into their system for 6 months and get NOTHING in return. Meanwhile, people who've been here for years collect thousands. The system is completely broken.

Hey, just wanted to chime in - check with your military family service center on base! They sometimes have emergency funds or grants for situations like this. When I was stationed at Travis, they had a New Parent Support Program that offered resources beyond just the state benefits. Might be worth looking into while you figure out the EDD situation.

After reviewing all the comments, I want to add some clarifications that might help: 1. For a March 25th due date, you'd typically begin disability benefits 4 weeks before birth (around Feb 25th), which would definitely use the Oct 2023-Sept 2024 base period where you have no CA earnings. 2. If your delivery is delayed to April, your claim would still start in February/March when your doctor certifies your disability, not when you actually deliver, so the base period wouldn't change. 3. However, there's technically a separate claim for PFL (baby bonding) after your recovery period. If you don't qualify for SDI, you almost certainly won't qualify for PFL either, but it's worth asking specifically about this when you reach an agent. 4. Definitely contact your military family support services as suggested. Military families often have access to other programs and supports outside the state system.

idk if this helps but my friend was in a similar situation and her doctor wrote her pregnancy disability as starting a few weeks later than originally planned, which pushed her into a different base period that included more CA earnings. might be worth asking your doctor if there's any flexibility with the disability start date

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've decided to: 1. Try reaching an EDD representative using Claimyr to get official confirmation about my eligibility 2. Visit our base's family support center to learn about military-specific programs 3. Talk to my employer about whether they offer any additional leave benefits 4. Start budgeting for the possibility of unpaid leave It's disappointing that moving to California so recently might disqualify me from benefits despite contributing, but at least now I have a clearer understanding of how the system works. I'll update this thread if I learn anything that might help others in similar situations!

Good luck with everything! I just wanted to add that if you do end up not qualifying for CA benefits, don't forget to check if your employer offers any short-term disability insurance or if you have any personal policies that might cover maternity leave. Some companies also have their own parental leave policies that are separate from state programs. Also, while you're exploring military family support options, ask about dependent care assistance programs - they sometimes have childcare vouchers or other support for new parents that can help offset the financial impact of unpaid leave. Keep us posted on what you find out!