When should I file for EDD at 35 weeks pregnant? (Last day April 30th)

You need to file for Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) first, then Baby Bonding PFL after. Here's the timeline:\n\n1) File the DE2501 Disability form AFTER your last day of work (so May 1 or after). You can't file more than 9 days before your last day worked.\n\n2) Your doctor will need to certify your disability claim (usually 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after, depending on delivery type).\n\n3) Once your disability claim ends, you'll transition to PFL baby bonding by filing the DE2508 form.\n\nFMLA is completely separate - that's through your employer and protects your job. The EDD forms are about getting paid while you're not working. Your employer should handle the FMLA paperwork with you.

Thank you SO much for breaking this down! So if I understand correctly, I can't file anything until after April 30th? Does that mean I'll have a gap between my last paycheck and when benefits start? I'm getting anxious about how long processing will take.

im pretty sure u can file the disability form before ur last day of work.. i did mine like 2 weeks before i stopped working and everything was fine. the important thign is that ur doctor fills out their part with the right date. dont wait till after ur last day IMO

You're half right - you can file up to 9 days before your last day worked, but no earlier than that. The system will reject it if you try too early. The most important thing is getting your doctor to complete their section promptly.

I had a NIGHTMARE with my EDD claim when I had my daughter last year! I filed everything exactly when my HR told me to, and my claim was still pending for over a MONTH after I gave birth!!! I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at EDD to fix it. They kept saying

omg this is exactly what im afraid of 😰 due in 3 weeks and still don't understand all this paperwork stuff

When I went through this process last year, I found that using Claimyr helped me actually get through to an EDD representative when I had questions. Their system connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful since I could actually talk to someone at EDD who could check on my claim status.\n\nDefinitely file your DE2501 disability form right after your last day worked, and make sure your doctor completes their portion promptly. That was what delayed my claim - my doctor took over a week to submit their part.

Thank you for sharing this! I've been worried about actually reaching someone if I have problems. I'll definitely check out that video. Did you have any issues with the transition from disability to PFL baby bonding?

Just to clarify a few things:\n\n1. Pregnancy Disability (SDI) - File using DE2501 form after your last day worked but within 49 days or you could lose benefits\n\n2. FMLA/CFRA - This is job protection for up to 12 weeks. Your employer handles this paperwork, not EDD\n\n3. Paid Family Leave (PFL) - File using DE2508 form when your disability ends for the additional 8 weeks of baby bonding\n\nI recommend creating an SDI Online account now if you haven't already. Makes the whole process smoother. And definitely keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit!

This is super helpful! One question - do you know if you can file for PFL baby bonding right away or is there a waiting period between the end of disability and when you can submit for PFL?

The timing can be tricky! My doctor pre-filled the disability form about 2 weeks before my due date, then I submitted it on my last day of work. Made things much easier. Just make sure you don't submit it more than 9 days before your last day worked or it'll get rejected.\n\nAlso, when you transition from disability to PFL baby bonding, there's usually a letter or email prompting you to apply. Don't wait for it though - if you don't receive it within a week after your disability claim ends, go ahead and file the DE2508 form anyway.

That's smart to have the doctor pre-fill their portion! I have an appointment next week so I'll ask if they can do that. Thank you for the tip about not waiting for the transition letter too - I'd probably have just kept waiting and wondering.

Has anyone else had their doctor refuse to sign the form until you're actually not working? My doctor's office told me they won't complete their portion until after my last day because

Yes, some medical offices have this policy. Ask if they can at least pre-fill the form but date it for your last day of work as a compromise. Otherwise, bring the form to your last prenatal appointment and ask them to complete it then, explaining your concerns about processing delays.

wait im confused so which do i file first? the fmla or the edd thing?? my hr dept just gave me a stack of papers and im due in 3 weeks!! 😫

FMLA paperwork goes to your employer first (this protects your job).\n\nEDD Disability form (DE2501) goes to the state after your last day worked (this pays you while on leave).\n\nThey're separate systems but happen at the same time. Start with the FMLA forms your HR gave you, then handle the EDD forms after your last day.

Thank you all SO much for the advice! I feel much more prepared now. I'll:\n\n1) Ask my doctor to pre-fill their portion of the DE2501 next week\n2) Submit the disability form right after April 30th\n3) Make sure I'm tracking when to submit the baby bonding DE2508 form\n4) Keep that Claimyr contact info handy in case I run into problems\n\nIt's really helpful to hear everyone's experiences. This benefit system seems so unnecessarily complicated!

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to take the full 12 weeks available (4 weeks disability before birth + 6-8 weeks after + 8 weeks PFL bonding), make sure your employer knows this timeline upfront! Some employers get confused thinking FMLA and EDD benefits are the same thing. Also, create that SDI Online account ASAP - even before you need to file. The account verification process can take a few days, and you don't want to be stuck waiting when you're ready to submit your claim. I learned this the hard way when I was scrambling to file right after my daughter was born! One last thing - if your employer offers any supplemental disability insurance or "wage continuation" benefits, check if those coordinate with EDD benefits or if you need to apply separately. Good luck mama, you've got this! 🍼

As someone who just went through this whole process 6 months ago, I totally feel your stress! The paperwork is overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions. A few things that helped me: 1) Download the DE2501 form now and bring it to your next OB appointment - having it ready made things smoother 2) Set up your SDI Online account this week if you haven't already (seriously, don't wait!) 3) Keep a simple calendar/checklist of deadlines so you don't miss anything The good news is that once you get the disability claim rolling, the transition to PFL baby bonding is much more straightforward. And honestly, even if there are small hiccups, the system does work - you will get your benefits! One thing I wish someone had told me: if your claim gets stuck or you need to speak with someone at EDD, don't give up after the first few busy signals. Keep trying different times of day. Early morning (like 8am) worked best for me. You're going to be an amazing mom and you've got this whole benefits thing figured out! ✨

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're asking all the right questions! I went through this process last year and the key things that saved me stress were: 1) Getting my SDI Online account set up early (like others mentioned, the verification takes time) 2) Having my doctor pre-fill their portion of the DE2501 at my 37-week appointment 3) Filing the disability claim literally the day after my last day of work (May 1st in your case) One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - make sure you understand your employer's policy on using accrued vacation/sick time during your leave. Some employers require you to exhaust paid time off first, others let you save it for when you return. This can affect your benefit amounts and timing. Also, don't worry too much about the "gap" between your last paycheck and when benefits start. EDD disability benefits are retroactive to your first day of disability, so you won't actually lose money - you just might have to wait a bit for that first payment. The whole system really is needlessly complicated, but thousands of women go through this every month and it does work out! You're being so proactive by asking these questions now. 🤗