EDD SDI claim timing after last work day - confused about doctor certification requirements

Congrats on your pregnancy! Yes, you can absolutely file your SDI claim today after your last day of work yesterday. No need to wait. As for the doctor part - your regular maternity letter is NOT enough. Your doctor needs to complete Part B of the claim (medical certification). When you start your online application, you'll get a receipt number that you need to give to your doctor. They'll then need to login to SDI Online using their medical provider account to complete their portion. Some doctors offices are super familiar with this process while others might need a reminder about how to do it. I recommend checking out this EDD YouTube video that walks through the whole process: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

u can file same day no prob but doctor MUST fill out stuff online not just letter. my ob was soooo slow took them 2 weeks and my claim got delayed!! make sure u bug them every coupl days lol

I've gone through this process twice with my pregnancies. Here's what you need to know: 1. You can file your claim immediately after your last day of work. Actually, EDD recommends filing within the first 9 days to avoid losing benefits. 2. For doctor certification, yes, you need more than just a maternity letter. Your OB needs to complete Part B of the DE 2501 form (if filing on paper) OR complete the medical provider portion online (if you file online). The process typically works like this: - You file your claim and get a receipt number - You provide this receipt number to your doctor's office - Their billing/admin staff will log into SDI Online and complete the medical certification - Your claim cannot be processed until both parts are complete Some doctors' offices are very familiar with this process, while others rarely do it. I recommend speaking directly with the office manager or billing specialist rather than just your doctor. They're usually the ones who handle this paperwork.

Just to clarify something others haven't mentioned: the doctor certification for SDI maternity claims requires them to verify your pregnancy, expected delivery date, and when you became disabled from work due to your pregnancy. It's not just a simple "yes, she's pregnant" form. Your doctor needs to certify that your pregnancy prevents you from performing your regular work duties. This is why a simple maternity leave letter isn't sufficient. The EDD needs medical verification of your disability status, which only a medical provider can provide. Some healthcare providers have staff dedicated to handling these forms, while others might not be as familiar with the process.

When i had my baby in 2023 the WORST part was getting my doctor to do her part!!! I filed right away but doctor took FOREVER!!! I was calling the office crying because rent was due and still no benefits!! My SIL had same problem with different doctor too so its common issue!!!!

The whole system is DESIGNED to be confusing! I bet tons of pregnant women miss out on benefits because the process is so complicated. My doctor's office had never done an online certification before (small practice) and it took them FOREVER to figure it out. Meanwhile I'm 8 months pregnant with no income. Great system, EDD! 🙄

Quick tip that helped me: When you file your claim, you'll get a confirmation page with instructions for your healthcare provider. Print this out or take a screenshot and physically bring it to your doctor's office. Hand it to both your doctor AND the office manager/billing person. Also, don't file too early before your leave starts. You can file on your last day of work or immediately after, but not before your disability actually begins. With pregnancy, you're typically considered disabled 4 weeks before your due date (or earlier with complications). One more thing - if your doctor's office is slow, you can call EDD directly to check the status of the medical certification. Sometimes just letting your doctor know that EDD is waiting for their certification can light a fire under them.

make sure u have ur date of birth, ssn, docs info (name address phone) and employer details ready when u apply makes it way faster!!! also create sdionline account before u start if u dont already have 1

You all have been so incredibly helpful! I'm going to file my claim today and then immediately contact my doctor's office about completing their portion. I had no idea the process was so involved. I'll make sure to stay on top of them about finishing their part so I don't experience payment delays. One last question - after both parts are completed, how long does it typically take to get the first payment?