Will my IHSS income affect SDI maternity leave application while working part-time?

You definitely need to report ALL income sources when you apply for SDI, including your IHSS wages. The good news is that small amount of IHSS income probably won't significantly impact your benefit calculation, but failing to report it could cause problems later. As for timing, you can apply for SDI as soon as your doctor certifies you can't work due to your pregnancy - you don't have to wait until the baby arrives. Your doctor typically needs to complete the medical portion of your DE2501 form. Most providers will certify disability starting 4 weeks before your due date, sometimes earlier if there are complications.

Thank you! So even though the IHSS is just for 10 hours a month, I should definitely include it? I'm just worried about them denying my claim because technically I'm still being paid for IHSS while on leave. My doctor already said she'd certify me starting Jan 31st.

i was in a similar situation last yr but it was with doordash income (side gig) while working full time. def report everything!!! my friend didnt report her side income and ended up with an AUDIT and had to pay back some benefits. not worth the hassle!!

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! Did she have to pay back the whole amount or just a portion? I definitely don't want to deal with an audit.

Let me clarify how this works with IHSS specifically. When you're on SDI for pregnancy disability, you can continue to be an IHSS provider IF you are physically able to perform those duties. EDD does not automatically consider IHSS work incompatible with pregnancy disability.\n\nHowever, you absolutely must report the income. Your SDI benefit amount is calculated primarily based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period (roughly 5-18 months before your claim). The small IHSS income might slightly increase your weekly benefit amount if it was consistent throughout your base period.\n\nFor your timing question: File your claim on your first day of disability (Jan 31). Don't wait until after delivery. The online system at SDI Online (https://edd.ca.gov/SDI_Online) will allow you to begin the application process up to 49 days after your disability begins, but there's no reason to delay.

This is so helpful! So I can actually continue doing the IHSS hours during my pregnancy disability if I'm physically able to? I wasn't sure if that would be considered \

Just dropping in to say DO NOT WAIT to file! I waited too long after my disability started (thought I needed the baby's birth certificate first LOL) and it delayed my benefits by almost 3 weeks. File online as soon as your disability begins on 1/31. The system is pretty straightforward but expect to wait FOREVER if you need to call them with questions. I spent 3+ hours on hold multiple times trying to get simple answers.

If you need to reach an EDD rep without the crazy wait times, try Claimyr.com - it's a service that gets you through to a real EDD agent usually within 10-15 mins. Saved me so much frustration when I had to fix an issue with my maternity claim last year. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. I used it twice and got through quickly both times.

That service sounds amazing! The EDD wait times are terrifying. I'll keep this in my back pocket in case I run into problems. Thanks!

congrats on the baby!! i had my second in november and the SDI process was actually easier than i thought. just make sure ur doctor submits their part quickly bc mine took forever and delayed everything!!!!

EDD is ABSOLUTE GARBAGE with providing clear information about this stuff!!! I was an IHSS provider for my mom (15 hrs/week) while working another job and when I went on maternity leave, they gave me completely wrong information THREE TIMES about how to handle the reporting. I ended up with an overpayment notice for $2,300 that I'm still fighting. The system is designed to CONFUSE people. Document EVERYTHING. Save screenshots of all your submissions. Record phone calls if your state allows it. Trust me on this.

Oh that's really concerning... I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Did you continue with your IHSS work during your pregnancy disability? That's the part I'm most confused about.

Yes, I continued the IHSS work (it was for my mom, not as physically demanding as my main job). That's what caused the confusion. Different EDD reps told me different things about how to report it. One said to stop IHSS work completely, another said it was fine to continue but report the income each certification period, and a third said I should have filed two separate claims. Complete mess. If you continue IHSS work, document EVERYTHING and get clarification in writing if possible.

To follow up on the timing question - since your doctor is certifying you starting 1/31, you should create your SDI Online account NOW if you haven't already. Then submit your claim on 1/31 or 2/1. Your doctor will need to complete their portion either electronically or via paper form.\n\nHere's what will happen next:\n1. After submitting your initial pregnancy disability claim, you'll receive benefits for up to 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type).\n2. About 5-6 weeks after delivery, you'll want to transition to PFL for baby bonding (separate application).\n3. During both benefit periods, you'll need to report any IHSS income.\n\nFor the IHSS work - as others have mentioned, you can continue this work during pregnancy disability IF you are physically capable of performing those specific duties. The key point is that disability is TASK-SPECIFIC, not blanket coverage for all types of work. Since caring for your son might involve different physical requirements than your retail job, it's possible to be disabled from one but not the other.

This is really helpful - I didn't realize disability was task-specific. That makes so much sense now! My retail job involves a lot of standing and lifting, while the IHSS is mostly supervision and minimal physical work. I've already created my SDI account so I'll be ready to file on 1/31. For the transition to PFL for baby bonding, do I need to wait until my pregnancy disability ends or can I apply for that in advance too?

when i had my twins in 2025 i completely forgot to mention my small etsy shop income on my SDI application and nothing bad happened lol... but probably better to report everything to be safe

This is exactly how people end up with overpayment notices months or years later. EDD can and does cross-reference income reporting with tax records. The system sometimes catches these discrepancies during annual audits, which is why some people

As someone who just went through this process with IHSS income, I can confirm what others have said - DEFINITELY report everything! I was an IHSS provider for my elderly neighbor (about 15 hours/week) while working my main job, and when I went on maternity leave in October, I made sure to list all income sources on my SDI application. The EDD rep I spoke with said it's much better to over-report than under-report. My IHSS income actually helped boost my benefit calculation slightly since it was consistent throughout my base period. One tip - when you're filling out your bi-weekly certifications during your disability period, there's a specific section for reporting any work performed and income earned during those two weeks. Just be honest about your IHSS hours and wages. The system is designed to handle multiple income sources, so don't stress too much about it affecting your eligibility. Good luck with your delivery! 🍼

Hey Brooklyn! Congrats on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 I just went through this exact situation last year - I was working part-time at a clinic and also doing IHSS for my disabled sister (about 12 hours/month). Here's what I learned: 1. YES, absolutely report the IHSS income on your SDI application. Even though it's small, EDD requires all income sources to be disclosed. 2. The good news is that your IHSS work likely WON'T disqualify you from SDI benefits. Since pregnancy disability is task-specific, you can continue IHSS work if you're physically able to perform those duties while being unable to do your retail job. 3. During your bi-weekly certifications, you'll report any IHSS hours worked and income earned during those two weeks. Just be consistent and honest. 4. File your claim on 1/31 as soon as your disability begins - don't wait! The amount you're earning from IHSS ($170/month) is really minimal and shouldn't negatively impact your benefits. If anything, having that consistent income throughout your base period might slightly help your benefit calculation. Better to be transparent from the start than deal with potential issues later. You've got this, mama! 💪

Hi Brooklyn! As someone who's been through the SDI process recently, I just wanted to add one more reassuring voice to the chorus - definitely report your IHSS income, but don't stress about it affecting your benefits negatively! That $170/month is such a small amount that it's really not going to cause issues. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that when you do your bi-weekly certifications, you'll want to keep good records of your IHSS hours and pay stubs. I found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet tracking my hours and payments so I could quickly reference it when filling out the certifications. Also, since you mentioned this is your first baby - congratulations! 🎉 The SDI process might seem overwhelming now, but once you get your first certification done, it becomes pretty routine. The hardest part is just getting through that initial application and waiting for approval. You're asking all the right questions and clearly want to do everything correctly, which puts you way ahead of the game. Best of luck with everything!

Hey Brooklyn! I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I'm currently going through something similar. I'm an IHSS provider for my mom (about 20 hours/month) and just started my maternity leave last week. I was super nervous about the IHSS income too, but after reading through all these responses, I'm so glad I reported everything upfront! My EDD case worker actually complimented me for being thorough with my income reporting during our phone call. One small tip that might help - when you're doing your online application, there's a section that asks about "other income sources." Don't skip over this thinking it only applies to big amounts! I almost did that but then remembered all the horror stories about audits. The IHSS income goes right in there along with your regular job. Also, since you mentioned you're due Jan 31st, make sure your doctor knows you need the DE2501 form completed ASAP. Some doctors are super quick with it, others take their sweet time. Mine took almost a week which stressed me out unnecessarily! You're going to do great, and congratulations on your little one coming soon! 🎉

Hey Brooklyn! Another mama here who just navigated this whole process with IHSS income! 👋 I was working part-time at a dental office and doing IHSS for my grandmother (about 8 hours/month, so even less than you). Here's what I wish someone had told me: the EDD online system actually has a really helpful income reporting wizard that walks you through exactly what to include. When you get to that section, just think "when in doubt, report it out!" That tiny IHSS amount won't hurt you at all, but NOT reporting it could cause major headaches later. One thing I learned the hard way - screenshot EVERYTHING during your application process! I had a glitch where part of my application didn't save properly and having those screenshots saved me from having to start over completely. Also, since you mentioned being confused about timing - you're actually in a great position filing right after your last day of work. That's perfect timing! Just make sure your doctor has your expected delivery date correct on the medical form because that affects how long your initial disability period will be. You're asking all the right questions and clearly want to do this correctly. That puts you way ahead of so many people who just wing it and end up with problems later. You've totally got this! 🎉

Hey Brooklyn! Congrats on your upcoming little one! 🎉 I'm a first-time mom too and just went through this exact process a few months ago. I was also working part-time and had a small side income (babysitting for neighbors - about $200/month). Like everyone else has said, DEFINITELY report your IHSS income! I was so nervous about it affecting my benefits, but it actually didn't hurt me at all. The EDD representative I spoke with explained that they see these types of mixed income situations all the time, especially with IHSS providers. One thing that really helped me was calling my doctor's office a week before I needed the DE2501 form to give them a heads up. They were able to get it turned around in just 2 days instead of the usual week! Also, make sure you have your IHSS pay stubs handy when you're filling out the application - they ask for specific dates and amounts. The bi-weekly certifications are honestly not as scary as they seem. Just be consistent with reporting your IHSS hours and income, and you'll be fine. The system is really designed to handle these situations, so don't stress too much about it! You're being so smart by asking these questions ahead of time. That preparation is going to make the whole process so much smoother. Best of luck with everything! 💕

Hi Brooklyn! Congratulations on your upcoming baby! 🎉 I just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's - definitely report that IHSS income! I'm currently an IHSS provider for my disabled brother (about 15 hours/month) and when I went on pregnancy disability last summer, I made sure to include every penny of income on my application. One thing that might ease your mind - the EDD actually has a pretty good understanding of IHSS work since it's such a common situation in California. When I spoke with my case worker, she mentioned that they see IHSS providers going on disability all the time and the system is set up to handle it smoothly. Since your IHSS work is only 10 hours/month for $170, it's really not going to impact your benefits negatively at all. If anything, having that consistent income throughout your base period might give your benefit calculation a tiny boost! For the timing question - filing on Feb 1st right after your last day of work is perfect timing. Don't second-guess yourself on that part. And since you're caring for your son, you'll likely be able to continue that work during your pregnancy disability since it's much less physically demanding than retail work. You're being so proactive by asking these questions now. That preparation is going to make everything go so much smoother! Best of luck with your delivery and the SDI process! 💕

Hey Brooklyn! First of all, congratulations on your upcoming little one! 🎉 I'm jumping in as someone who recently went through this exact situation with IHSS income and SDI. I can see everyone has given you fantastic advice already, and I just want to echo what they've said - ABSOLUTELY report your IHSS income! Even though it's only $170/month, transparency is key with EDD. I was in a similar boat with small side income and was terrified about reporting it, but it ended up being completely fine. One quick tip I didn't see mentioned yet - when you're setting up your SDI Online account (which it sounds like you've already done - great job!), take screenshots of your confirmation pages and save your confirmation numbers. I had a friend whose application got lost in the system and having those reference numbers saved her weeks of hassle. Also, since you're due Jan 31st and filing Feb 1st, you're cutting this perfectly! That timing couldn't be better. Your doctor certifying you starting Jan 31st gives you that seamless transition from work to disability benefits. The IHSS work question has been answered beautifully by others - since it's task-specific disability, caring for your son (which is less physically demanding) while being unable to do retail work (lifting, standing for hours) makes perfect sense. You're asking all the right questions and being super proactive. That's going to make this whole process so much smoother for you. Wishing you the best with your delivery and the SDI process! You've got this, mama! 💪✨

Hey Brooklyn! Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 I just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through a very similar situation recently. I was working part-time at a grocery store and also providing IHSS care for my elderly father (about 12 hours/month, around $200). Everyone has given you such solid advice already - definitely report ALL income including your IHSS! I was nervous about it too, but it actually worked out fine. The EDD representative I spoke with said they'd much rather see someone over-report than miss something and deal with issues later. One thing I learned that might help you - when you do your bi-weekly certifications, the system will ask specifically about any work performed during those two weeks. Just be honest about your IHSS hours and wages. I found it helpful to keep a simple log of my IHSS hours so I could reference it quickly during certifications. Your timing sounds perfect - filing on Feb 1st right after your last day of work is exactly what I did and it worked seamlessly. And since your doctor is already on board to certify you starting Jan 31st, you're all set! The fact that you're asking these questions now shows you're going to handle this process like a pro. That $170/month IHSS income is such a small amount that it won't negatively impact your benefits at all. You've got this, mama! Wishing you a smooth delivery and easy SDI process! 💕

Hi Brooklyn! Welcome to the community and congratulations on your upcoming little one! 🎉 I'm a newcomer here too but wanted to share what I learned from going through a similar situation just a few months ago. I was working part-time at a coffee shop and also doing IHSS for my mom (about 8 hours/month, so even less than yours). I was TERRIFIED about how to handle the income reporting, but after reading through all these responses, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you absolutely need to report your IHSS income, but it's not going to hurt you at all! The amount you're earning ($170/month) is so minimal that EDD sees this type of situation constantly. When I called to ask questions, the representative actually told me that IHSS income combined with part-time work is one of the most common scenarios they process for pregnancy disability claims. One small thing that helped me feel more organized - I created a simple folder (physical and digital) with all my IHSS documentation: pay stubs, timesheets, and a basic spreadsheet tracking my hours and payments. Having everything in one place made the application process and bi-weekly certifications so much easier. Your timing is absolutely perfect filing on Feb 1st! And the fact that your doctor is ready to certify you starting Jan 31st means you'll have a seamless transition. You're being so smart by preparing ahead of time - that's going to make everything go smoothly. You've got this, mama! 💪

Hey Brooklyn! Congratulations on your upcoming baby! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to add my support to all the excellent advice you've already received. I recently went through a very similar situation - I was working part-time at a bookstore and also providing IHSS care for my disabled aunt (about 14 hours/month, around $220). I was absolutely terrified about reporting my IHSS income because I thought it might disqualify me or reduce my benefits, but everyone here is 100% right - you MUST report it, and it won't hurt you at all! When I spoke with my EDD case worker, she actually thanked me for being so thorough with my income reporting and said it makes their job much easier when people are upfront about everything. The key thing that helped me understand is that your SDI benefit calculation is primarily based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period. That small IHSS income might actually help boost your benefits slightly if it's been consistent! And since pregnancy disability is task-specific, you can absolutely continue caring for your son if you're physically able to do those duties while being unable to perform your retail job. Your timing filing on Feb 1st is perfect - don't second-guess that! I filed the day after my last shift and had no issues whatsoever. Just make sure you have all your IHSS pay stubs organized and ready when you're filling out the application. You're asking all the right questions and being so proactive. That preparation is going to make this whole process much smoother than you're probably imagining right now. Best of luck with everything - you've absolutely got this! 💪✨