Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on SDI twice in the past few years - everyone here has given you excellent advice! The automatic payment system really is such a relief compared to UI. One thing I'd add that helped me feel more secure about the process: EDD will send you a "Notice of Computation" that breaks down exactly how much you'll receive and for how long. Keep that document safe as it's super helpful for budgeting purposes. Also, if you ever move during your claim period, update your address IMMEDIATELY in your SDI Online account - don't wait for any mail notifications. I made that mistake during my first claim and it caused a two-week delay in payments. The system really does work smoothly once you're in it though. Wishing you a smooth recovery process!

Hey Isabella! Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through this too. The automatic payments really are amazing compared to UI - such a relief not having to stress about certification deadlines! One thing I learned that might be helpful: even though payments are automatic, I'd recommend keeping track of when each payment arrives and the amounts, just so you can quickly spot if anything seems off. I use a simple spreadsheet with the payment dates and amounts. Also, if you're like me and tend to worry about things, checking your SDI Online account once a week gives great peace of mind - you can see your payment history and confirm everything is on track. The mobile app makes this super easy too. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and that having one less financial worry helps you focus on getting better!

As a new parent who just went through this exact situation a few months ago, I want to reassure you that you did everything right! Reporting your actual delivery date was the perfect move - the system is built specifically for this since babies rarely arrive exactly on their due dates. Your SDI should automatically adjust to end 6 weeks from 3/18 (your actual delivery), so you should be covered until 4/29 instead of 4/20. I'd recommend applying for PFL around 4/22 to ensure no gap between benefits. A few things that really helped me: 1) Screenshot your SDI account once it updates to show the new end date (great documentation), 2) Have your baby's birth certificate ready for the DE 2501FP form - that's all you need for PFL, and 3) Set phone reminders for key dates because newborn brain fog is SO real! Don't stress about timing - EDD handles delivery date adjustments constantly. You're navigating this perfectly while caring for a newborn. The confusion you're feeling is totally normal for new parents dealing with this system!

As a new parent who just navigated this exact situation last month, I can completely understand your panic! You absolutely did the right thing by reporting your actual delivery date - the system is specifically designed to handle babies arriving off their due dates since it happens to most of us. Your SDI should automatically adjust to end 6 weeks from your actual delivery date of 3/18, so your benefits should now run until 4/29 instead of 4/20. This gives you the full postpartum recovery period you're entitled to based on when your baby actually arrived. For your PFL transition, I'd recommend submitting your application around 4/22 (about a week before your SDI ends) to avoid any gaps in benefits. You'll need form DE 2501FP and your baby's birth certificate - no doctor certification required for the bonding portion! A few tips that really helped me: 1) Check your SDI Online account over the next few days and screenshot the updated end date for your records, 2) Set phone reminders for key dates because newborn brain fog is incredibly real, and 3) Don't stress about the timing of when you reported - EDD handles delivery date updates all the time. You're doing an amazing job navigating all this bureaucracy while caring for a newborn. The confusion you're feeling is completely normal, and you're taking all the right steps!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it might help! I had shoulder surgery in December and dealt with the exact same situation - employer-paid disability through MetLife plus SDI. Here's what I learned: 1) The coordination happens automatically once you report it, but there can be delays. My first SDI payment was the full amount because they hadn't processed the private insurance info yet, then they adjusted it retroactively. 2) Keep copies of EVERYTHING - I mean every form, every payment stub, every phone call log. When questions came up later, having documentation saved me hours of back-and-forth. 3) Don't stress too much about the "exact" coordination formula - EDD's system handles most of it once you provide the right info upfront. The key is just being honest from day one like you're planning to do. Your foot surgery recovery will go smoother knowing you handled the paperwork correctly!

One more thing to consider that I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to check if your New York Life policy has any waiting period before benefits start, and compare that to SDI's 7-day waiting period. Sometimes the timing differences can work in your favor! I had a similar situation with my Unum policy where there was a 14-day waiting period, so I got two full weeks of SDI before any coordination kicked in. Also, if you're union or have any supplemental disability coverage through other sources (like AFLAC), you'll need to report those too. The key is just being completely transparent about ALL income sources when you file. EDD would rather work with you upfront than deal with overpayment issues later. Wishing you a smooth recovery from your foot surgery!

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a similar transition last year, and I wanted to add a few additional tips that might be helpful: 1. **Document everything in writing** - Keep records of all communications with your employer, doctor appointments, and any EDD interactions. This saved me when there were questions about my case timeline. 2. **Consider reaching out to your local Assembly member's office** - Many have constituent services that can help navigate EDD issues if you run into roadblocks. They often have direct contacts at EDD that can expedite problem resolution. 3. **Join local job search groups early** - Even before you're cleared to work, you can start networking and learning about opportunities in your field. This helps you hit the ground running with concrete job search activities to report to EDD. 4. **Know your rights** - Being terminated for exhausting medical leave is generally considered a "no-fault" separation, which should qualify you for UI benefits. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. @Elijah Brown - I really hope your appointment went well and you're making progress on your recovery! This community has given you excellent guidance, and your situation should definitely be eligible for the SDI to UI transition. The key is patience with the process and having all your documentation ready. It can take a few weeks to get everything sorted, but it absolutely works when done correctly. Hang in there!

I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on SDI since late January for a workplace injury and just received a letter from my employer stating they're "reviewing the sustainability of my position." Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much reassurance that the SDI to UI transition is definitely possible when done correctly. @Elijah Brown - I really hope your doctor appointment on the 18th went well and you were able to get that medical clearance! Your situation has been so helpful to follow, and based on all the excellent advice you've received here, it sounds like you have everything you need for a successful transition. I've been taking notes on all the key points everyone has mentioned: wait for complete medical clearance with a specific return-to-work date, ensure SDI claim shows as fully closed in the online portal, keep all termination documentation showing it was for leave exhaustion rather than misconduct, and be prepared to actively job search immediately once cleared. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my case worker - it can be helpful to request a letter from your doctor not just clearing you to return to work, but specifically stating that you are "able and available for full-time employment" as this directly addresses the UI eligibility language that EDD uses. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and advice here. This kind of peer support makes navigating these complex benefit systems so much less overwhelming when you're already dealing with recovery and job uncertainty!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Just got my notification yesterday about a form I need to complete for my disability claim, but when I log into my SDI portal there's absolutely nothing there. I've been checking every few hours thinking maybe I missed something or my browser was having issues. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea these delays were so common with EDD's system! @Owen Jenkins's explanation about the batch processing cycles really makes sense of why this happens, and @Emma Taylor's timeline showing it took 3 full days gives me realistic expectations. I was getting really stressed about that 10-day deadline they mentioned, but knowing it actually starts when the form appears (not from the notification) takes so much pressure off. I was literally about to call in sick today to spend the whole day on hold with EDD, but now I understand that patience is really the better approach here. Going to check once daily instead of obsessively refreshing and wait for their system to catch up. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community is incredibly helpful for newcomers trying to navigate EDD's confusing processes!

This thread has become such an incredible resource! I'm currently experiencing this same issue - got my notification 3 days ago about a required form but my SDI portal shows nothing. Before finding this discussion, I was convinced something was wrong with my account or that I was somehow missing something obvious. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially @Emma Taylor's detailed timeline and @Owen Jenkins's explanation about EDD's batch processing system, has completely changed my understanding of how this works. It's honestly ridiculous that their notification system sends alerts before the forms are actually available in the portal, but at least now I know this delay is completely normal and not something I'm doing wrong. I was planning to spend my entire day tomorrow calling EDD, but after reading about everyone's experiences here, I'm going to be patient and wait a few more days for their system to catch up. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - this community is invaluable for helping newcomers understand EDD's confusing processes and avoid unnecessary stress!