Hi Anumol! You may be eligible for CA SDI benefits using the Alternative Base Period (ABP) since you don't have earnings in the standard base period but will have recent W2 earnings and contributions. Here's what you need to know: **Eligibility Requirements:** - You need at least $300 in SDI contributions during the ABP (your most recent 4 completed quarters) - Since you started in July '25 and are due in Dec '25, you should meet the contribution requirement **How to Apply:** 1. You cannot file online initially for ABP - you'll need to call EDD at 1-800-480-3287 2. Request that they process your claim using the Alternative Base Period 3. They'll need to manually review your recent earnings and contributions 4. Have your pay stubs ready showing SDI deductions **Timeline:** - Apply 4 weeks before your due date or when you stop working due to pregnancy - ABP claims take longer to process since they require manual review **Important:** Make sure your doctor completes the medical certification form properly, as pregnancy claims require specific documentation about your disability period. Good luck with your claim and congratulations on your pregnancy!

Just saw your update about finding the email in your spam folder - that's great! Make sure you respond with exactly what they're asking for, and be very specific. If they asked about employment dates, provide the precise dates with documentation if possible. Also, call them tomorrow after submitting the information to confirm they received it and ask how long until processing. Sometimes a follow-up call can move things along faster once you've provided the missing information.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - applied for SDI in early February and still stuck on "pending" status. One thing that helped me was setting up email notifications in the SDI Online portal if you haven't already done that. Go to your account settings and make sure all notification options are checked. Also, I've found that calling around 2-3 PM sometimes has better luck than the morning rush - fewer people seem to call during lunch hours. The wait times are still brutal but I've gotten through twice that way. Keep us posted on how it goes with the employment dates clarification!

To summarize for you since there's a lot of information here: 1. If this is a work injury, you need WORKERS' COMPENSATION first - talk to your employer 2. If workers' comp is denied or doesn't apply, then you can apply for SDI 3. For SDI, everything is done online at SDI Online - no need to visit an office 4. Your doctor provides the medical certification (DE 2501) for SDI claims 5. There is indeed a 7-day waiting period before SDI benefits begin Hope this helps clear things up!

I actually went to the EDD office in San Diego last year thinking the same thing! The office I found was at 303 A Street in downtown, but they just redirected me to do everything online. Waste of a trip and parking $$. Do what everyone else said and handle it online or through your employer for workers comp. Good luck with your injury!

UPDATE: The money just showed up on my old unemployment card! It took exactly 2 business days after the payment was issued according to the SDI Online portal. No new card needed! Thanks everyone for your help, this community is amazing!

That's awesome news! Thanks for updating us - this is exactly the kind of info that helps other people in similar situations. It's great to know that for someone who had UI end in 2021, the old card still worked for SDI payments in 2025. This thread is going to be super helpful for future reference!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - postpartum depression is incredibly difficult and you're brave for seeking help. I went through something similar with my second child. Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me navigate the process: 1. When filing online, take screenshots of each step as you complete it. The system sometimes glitches and you don't want to lose your progress. 2. If your doctor isn't familiar with EDD forms, you might want to give them a heads up about what specific information EDD needs. Some providers haven't dealt with SDI claims before and might need guidance on the medical certification requirements. 3. Consider asking your doctor's office to submit the medical portion electronically if they can - it's usually faster than mailing paper forms. The waiting period and paperwork stress is real, but focus on getting the treatment you need. Your mental health is the priority here. Sending you support during this tough time! 💙

I'm going through something very similar right now - had my baby in October and thought I was doing fine until about 6 weeks ago when the depression really hit hard. Just wanted to share that I filed my new SDI claim last week and it was approved within 5 days! The key things that helped me were: 1) My doctor was very specific about it being postpartum depression related to my pregnancy (used the F53.0 code that others mentioned), 2) I filed everything online through SDI Online which was much faster, and 3) I made sure to indicate it was pregnancy-related when filling out the application. The hardest part for me was the 7-day waiting period when you're already struggling financially, but hang in there - it does get processed pretty quickly once you have all the right documentation. Also, don't feel guilty about needing this time - postpartum depression is a real medical condition and you deserve support. Wishing you all the best! ❤️