Pregnant on UI benefits - Should I switch to SDI at 36 weeks then back to UI after birth?
I'm 28 weeks pregnant (first baby!) and currently collecting unemployment after being laid off from my marketing job three months ago. I keep hearing conflicting advice about whether I should switch to SDI when I hit 36 weeks, then transition to PFL for baby bonding, and possibly go back to UI after that if I haven't found work yet. My main question is - can I actually switch from UI to SDI and then potentially back to UI later? I still have about $7,800 left in my UI claim balance, and I'm thinking I should save that for after recovery since my doctor mentioned I'll likely need a c-section and recovery might take longer. Does anyone know the proper way to handle these transitions? Do I need to formally end my UI claim before applying for SDI? Will this affect my baby bonding PFL eligibility? I'm so confused about the right timing for everything!
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Kelsey Chin
yes u can switch! i did exact same thing last year. UI to SDI at 36wks then PFL then back to UI. just make sure u dont certify for UI once ur on SDI or ull have to pay it back!!
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thank you! So I just stop certifying for UI when I apply for SDI? I don't need to formally close my UI claim or anything? And did you have any issues going back to UI after your baby bonding time was over?
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Norah Quay
Yes, you can switch between these benefits, but you need to follow specific steps to avoid overlapping payments. Here's how to navigate this correctly: 1. Stop certifying for UI before your SDI begins. Do this the week before your SDI eligibility starts. 2. Apply for SDI around 36 weeks with form DE2501 (your doctor will need to complete part of it). 3. After birth and SDI ends (typically 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type), transition to PFL for baby bonding using form DE2508. 4. Once your PFL ends (8 weeks max), you can reopen your UI claim if you're still unemployed but available for work. Important note: When you return to UI after PFL, you must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking employment. This means you need childcare arrangements in place. Your remaining UI balance should still be available if your benefit year hasn't expired.
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thank you so much for these detailed steps! This makes it much clearer. One more question - for the SDI application, will my doctor automatically know what to do with the form, or should I specifically ask them about completing the DE2501 at my next appointment?
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Leo McDonald
DONT MAKE MY MISTAKE!! I tried to do what ur talking about last summer and got TOTALLY screwed!!! I switched from UI to SDI at 38 wks but didnt tell UI i was stopping. Got DOUBLE payments for 2 weeks and then EDD froze EVERYTHING for 3 MONTHS investigating me for "fraud" even tho it was just a mistake!!! Had my baby and got NO MONEY during that time. Was absolute NIGHTMARE dealing with them!!!!!
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Vincent Bimbach
•Omg that sounds horrible! Thank you for the warning. I'll definitely make sure I stop certifying for UI completely before starting SDI. Did you have to pay back the overlapping payments?
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Leo McDonald
•YES had to pay back $1,240 and they took it directly from my PFL payments when they FINALLY processed them!!! Make sure you stop UI completely before SDI starts!!! Also DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - save confirmation #s, take screenshots, print everything!!!
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Jessica Nolan
I actually used Claimyr when I was trying to sort out my transition from SDI to PFL after having my baby. I kept getting disconnected every time I called EDD directly and was about to lose my mind. Someone here recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual EDD agent in like 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The agent was able to look at my claim history and explain exactly when to stop UI and start SDI. Saved me so much stress during an already stressful time!
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Vincent Bimbach
•That's really helpful, thank you! I'll definitely check out that service if I run into problems. I've already tried calling EDD twice and couldn't get through.
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Angelina Farar
•is this a paid service? seems weird to pay to talk to EDD when its supposed to be free
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Jessica Nolan
•Yeah it's a paid service, but honestly after spending 3 days trying to get through myself and getting nowhere, it was worth it. I needed answers before my rent was due and couldn't wait any longer. Just sharing what worked for me!
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Sebastián Stevens
To give you some accurate information: Yes, you can transition between these benefits, but each program has specific eligibility requirements. 1. For SDI at 36 weeks, you need a medical certification from your doctor stating you're disabled due to pregnancy. The standard is 4 weeks before expected delivery, but can be earlier with medical justification. 2. When transitioning from UI to SDI, you need to stop certifying for UI before your SDI begin date. You don't formally close your UI claim - it remains open but inactive. 3. After delivery, SDI typically covers 6 weeks for normal delivery or 8 weeks for C-section. 4. Then you can transition to PFL for baby bonding (8 weeks). 5. After PFL, you can resume UI if: - Your benefit year hasn't expired - You have remaining balance - You're able and available for work - You have childcare arrangements in place The SDI and PFL amounts are typically higher than UI because they're based on your highest quarter earnings rather than average earnings used for UI. My recommendation: Your strategy to use SDI/PFL first and save UI for later is financially sound if you anticipate needing longer support.
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thank you for this comprehensive breakdown! This is exactly what I needed to understand. My UI benefit year doesn't expire until November 2025, so I should be able to come back to it after PFL if needed. I'll talk to my doctor about the certification for SDI at my 32-week appointment.
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Bethany Groves
I'm in almost the same situation!! 30 weeks pregnant and on UI after company downsizing in January. My friend told me I should just stay on UI the whole time since she said the SDI/PFL process is a nightmare and takes forever to get payments. But reading these comments makes me think switching might be better financially? Now I'm confused about what to do....
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Norah Quay
•Financially, SDI and PFL are almost always higher benefit amounts than UI because they're calculated differently. UI is based on your average earnings while SDI/PFL use your highest quarter earnings. Also important: When you're in late pregnancy or recovering from birth, you technically aren't "able and available" for work as UI requires. Staying on UI during this time could potentially create compliance issues later. The right sequence is UI → SDI → PFL → UI (if needed). Yes, there can be processing delays with transitions, but that doesn't change the proper approach.
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Bethany Groves
•Thx for explaining! Will def switch to SDI then. So stressful figuring all this out while pregnant!!
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Kelsey Chin
1 more thing - when u go back to UI after baby stuff make sure u have childcare lined up cuz they ask if ur available for work & if u say no cuz u dont have childcare they will deny u!!
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Vincent Bimbach
•That's a really good point I hadn't considered. Thank you! My mom is planning to help with childcare when I need to start looking for work again, so that should cover that requirement.
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KingKongZilla
my sister tried to go from UI to SDI last year and they denied her SDI claim saying she wasn't eligible because she was already getting UI. had something to do with being "unemployed" vs "disabled" and you can't be both. anyone else run into this?
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Sebastián Stevens
•That situation usually happens when someone tries to collect both benefits simultaneously or didn't properly stop UI before starting SDI. To clarify for everyone: You cannot receive UI and SDI for the same period because UI requires you to be able to work, while SDI requires you to be unable to work due to disability (including pregnancy). However, you can stop UI, transition to SDI for pregnancy, then to PFL for bonding, and then return to UI if you meet all eligibility requirements at each stage. The key is proper timing of applications and certifications to avoid overlap.
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KingKongZilla
•ah ok makes sense. she probably messed up the timing. thx for explaining!
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Vincent Bimbach
Thank you all SO MUCH for all this helpful information! I feel much more confident about my plan now: 1. Continue UI until 36 weeks 2. Stop certifying for UI completely before applying for SDI 3. Apply for SDI at 36 weeks with my doctor's help 4. After birth and recovery (likely 8 weeks with c-section), apply for PFL for 8 weeks of baby bonding 5. If I haven't found a job by then, return to UI but make sure I have childcare arrangements to be "available for work" I've made a note on my calendar to talk to my doctor about the DE2501 form at my 32-week appointment. This community has been incredible - thank you again for saving me from potentially making costly mistakes!
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