One thing that really helped me when I was navigating this same situation was keeping a simple log of which program I was receiving benefits from each week. Since you can't collect UI and SDI simultaneously, I made a basic spreadsheet tracking my claim weeks to avoid any accidental double-dipping that could cause overpayment issues later. Also, save all your confirmation emails and reference numbers from both systems - the EDD can be slow to update records between their different programs, so having your own documentation is crucial if any issues come up. The 6-week timeline your doctor mentioned is pretty typical for SDI claims, so you should be able to transition back to UI afterward if you're still job searching and have benefits remaining.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The key thing to remember is that even though both programs are under EDD, they operate completely independently. You'll need to apply for SDI at edd.ca.gov/disability using their SDI Online system - don't use your regular UI Online account. One important tip: when you apply for SDI, you can actually backdate your claim up to 49 days from when you first became unable to work due to your medical condition. So if your doctor says you need 6 weeks off starting from a specific date, make sure to use that date on your SDI application, not just the date you're filing. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to complete the physician/practitioner certification (the medical portion of your claim) promptly. SDI can't process your claim without it, and some doctors don't realize how time-sensitive this is. You might want to give them a heads up that they'll be receiving the form electronically or by mail depending on how they prefer to handle it. The good news is that once your SDI claim period ends, you can go right back to certifying for UI if you still have weeks remaining on your claim. Just remember - never certify for both programs during the same week!

Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just got married 3 weeks ago and have been putting off dealing with the EDD name change because I was so overwhelmed by the process. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence that I can actually handle this. The DE 1101 form upload method sounds way more straightforward than I expected. I especially appreciate all the detailed tips about document scanning, filename conventions, and calling timing. One quick question for anyone who's been through this - did you need to provide any additional documentation besides the marriage certificate, like a copy of your new Social Security card or driver's license? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I submit. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing! 💕

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just got married two weeks ago and have been dreading dealing with the EDD name change. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the DE 1101 form or the document upload option. I was planning to spend hours on hold trying to call them. Quick question for everyone who's successfully done this: should I wait until I get my updated bank cards with my new name before submitting the form, or is it okay to proceed while my bank account still has the old name on the cards but new name in the system? I'm worried about creating some kind of verification mismatch. Thanks so much for all the detailed advice everyone has shared - you've turned what seemed like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into something actually manageable!

Just wanted to add something that saved me a lot of headaches - make sure you have backup ways to access your UI Online account. Write down your username and password in a safe place, and if you use security questions, write those answers down too (exactly as you entered them). I got locked out of my account right before a certification deadline because I couldn't remember if I capitalized something in my security answer. Had to wait 3 days for EDD to unlock it and almost missed my certification window. Also, if you're using a shared computer or public wifi, always log out completely and clear the browser history - you don't want someone else accessing your account. The certification process itself is straightforward once you get used to it, but account security issues can create unnecessary stress!

Just went through this exact same process last month after getting laid off from my retail job! One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through UI Online - you can enable notifications for when your certification period opens and when payments are issued. Go to your profile settings and look for "Notification Preferences." Also, I learned the hard way that if you're doing any volunteer work, you still need to report it during certification even though it's unpaid - they ask about "work or services" not just paid work. The first few certifications feel overwhelming but it becomes routine pretty quickly. Make sure you have all your job search info ready before you start certifying because the system times out if you take too long on a page. Good luck with everything!

I'm 62 and just stumbled across this thread while researching my own situation - got laid off from my retail management job yesterday and have been receiving a pension from my previous 18-year career with the city. I was absolutely terrified that the pension would completely disqualify me from unemployment benefits, but reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much hope! It's amazing how many people have been in this exact situation and successfully navigated it. The consistent message seems to be that as long as the pension is from a DIFFERENT employer than the one that laid you off, you should be fine for full UI benefits. Since my pension is from the city and I was laid off from a private retail company, it sounds like I'm in good shape. I've been putting off filing my claim because I was so confused by all the conflicting information online, but this thread has convinced me to just go ahead and file honestly. The tip about calling EDD early in the morning to get through faster is something I'm definitely going to try if I have any questions. Holly, thank you for asking this question - it's helped so many of us who are dealing with the same scary situation. It's such a relief to find a community of people who understand what it's like to navigate this system at our age. I'm feeling much more confident about moving forward now!

I'm 56 and was in this exact situation about a year ago when I got laid off from my customer service job while receiving a pension from my previous career in manufacturing. I was absolutely panicking about whether I'd qualify for unemployment benefits, but it turned out to be much simpler than I expected! Since your pension is from your previous healthcare employer and you were laid off from a different company, you should be totally fine for full unemployment benefits. The EDD rule is really straightforward once you understand it: only pensions from the SAME employer that laid you off will reduce your UI benefits. I made the mistake of overthinking everything and delaying my claim for almost 2 weeks because I was so worried about the pension issue. Don't make the same mistake I did - just file your claim and be completely honest about reporting your pension income when asked. My weekly benefit amount wasn't reduced at all, and the combination of both helped me stay afloat while job searching. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple notebook with all my important dates, amounts, and any conversations with EDD representatives. It made the whole process feel more manageable and organized. Holly, you're going to get through this! At our age, losing a job feels especially scary, but you have valuable experience and this is just a temporary setback. The support from this community has been incredible - don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions!

I'm also filing my first UI claim and had this exact same question! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. It sounds like the consensus is clear: include ALL compensation that appears on your W-2, including sick leave that you actually used during employment (like your 2-hour example). The key distinction everyone keeps mentioning is "used during employment" vs "paid out at termination" - since you used the sick leave during regular work periods, definitely include it. I was also overthinking this, but it seems like the EDD really does want the complete picture of your earnings. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and legal references - this thread should be bookmarked for anyone filing their first claim!

I'm also filing for the first time and had this exact confusion! After reading through everyone's responses, I feel so much more confident now. The clear rule seems to be: include ALL compensation from your W-2, including any sick leave, vacation, or holiday pay that you actually USED during employment. The key distinction that keeps coming up is "used during employment" vs "paid out at termination" - since your sick leave example was used during regular work weeks, definitely include those 2 hours with your 38 regular hours. I was also overthinking this whole process, but this thread has been incredibly helpful. It's amazing how supportive this community is - makes the whole EDD process feel much less overwhelming when you have real people sharing their actual experiences!