I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child! I had severe morning sickness that lasted way longer than expected and couldn't do my job (I'm a nurse). My OB wrote me off work at 28 weeks, and I was so confused about what benefits I could get. The key thing is that pregnancy-related disability is covered under SDI from the moment you can't work due to pregnancy complications - not just the standard 4 weeks before delivery. Since you have medical documentation of your contractions and work restrictions, you should definitely qualify. One tip: when you fill out the DE2501, be very specific about your symptoms and how they prevent you from doing your job duties. Don't just say "contractions" - explain that they make standing/walking impossible, affect your concentration, etc. The more detailed you are, the smoother your approval process will be. Also, once you file, you can check your claim status online through your EDD account. It really helped reduce my anxiety to be able to track the progress! You've got this mama - take care of yourself and that baby!

I'm a new member here but wanted to jump in because I'm currently going through the CA disability system for pregnancy complications myself! Just wanted to emphasize what others have said - definitely file that DE2501 ASAP. One thing I learned that might help: when you call your doctor's office tomorrow, ask them specifically for the "physician's certificate" portion of the disability form. Some offices are more familiar with this process than others, and using the right terminology can help them understand exactly what you need. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, you can actually start your disability claim online at edd.ca.gov. It won't replace the need for your doctor's certification, but it can get the ball rolling faster. Hope this helps, and wishing you the best with your pregnancy! The contractions sound really stressful on top of trying to navigate all this paperwork.

Not to be that person, but have you considered getting a lawyer? Sometimes just having a legal letterhead on your appeal can make them take it more seriously.

I went through this exact same situation last year! My initial claim was denied even though I thought I had everything. Here's what I learned: 1) Always submit both hospital certificate AND official birth certificate, 2) Include a cover letter explaining your relationship to the child, and 3) Make copies of EVERYTHING before sending. I had to appeal but it was approved the second time around. Don't give up - you're entitled to this benefit! Also, try calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open, that's when I finally got through to speak with someone who actually helped.

I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago! What worked for me was logging out completely, then logging back in and trying again. Also make sure you're not using any ad blockers or pop-up blockers - they can interfere with the upload functionality. The EDD site is super finicky about that stuff. If you're still having trouble, try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning (6-8 AM) when fewer people are on the system. Good luck!

I ran into this same issue a couple months ago and it was SO frustrating! What finally worked for me was using a desktop computer with Firefox instead of my phone. For some reason, the mobile version of the EDD site just doesn't play nice with file uploads. Also, make sure your PDF isn't too large - I think there's a file size limit that isn't clearly posted anywhere. If you have access to a computer, try that first before going through the hassle of calling EDD. The whole system is a mess but hang in there, you'll get it sorted! 💪

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been dealing with this nightmare too! I've been trying to reach EDD for my PFL claim for about 3 weeks now and it's absolutely maddening. Reading through all these comments makes me feel both better (I'm not alone!) and worse (this is clearly a systemic issue). I've tried the usual suspects - calling first thing in the morning, different times throughout the day, online portal, emails - you name it. The most frustrating part is that automated message telling you to use the website when the website doesn't actually help with specific claim issues! I'm seriously considering trying that Claimyr service that Emma mentioned, even though $20 feels steep. At this point, I've probably spent 20+ hours on hold or trying to get through, so maybe it's worth it? Has anyone else here actually used it successfully? Also going to give the fax method a shot - never thought I'd be hunting down a fax machine in 2024 but here we are! 📠 Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and tips. It really helps to know we're all fighting the same battle together. Will definitely update if I manage to breakthrough!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying to reach someone about my PFL claim for over a week with zero success. It's honestly mind-boggling how difficult they make it to get basic help. I've been reading through all the suggestions here and I'm planning to try the 8:01 AM sharp calling strategy tomorrow - seems like that's worked for a few people. Also considering the Claimyr service even though paying for something that should be free feels wrong. But at this point, my sanity is worth $20! Thanks for posting this Connor, it's weirdly comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this bureaucratic maze. Will definitely share if I have any breakthrough moments! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD phone system is absolutely brutal right now. I had a very similar experience last year when I moved to Washington state but kept my California job. After weeks of failed phone attempts, I ended up using the paper application route and it was honestly a lifesaver. A few things that might help based on my experience: When you fill out the DE2501F form, make sure to attach a brief letter explaining your situation and why you couldn't file online (out-of-state address issue). Also, since your baby is 3 weeks old, you can actually backdate your leave start date - PFL allows you to claim up to 6 weeks retroactively from when you actually stopped working to bond. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: you can also try reaching out to your state representative's office. Many of them have staff who specialize in helping constituents with federal and state agency issues. My friend in Oregon got help this way when she was stuck with unemployment issues. It might be worth a shot while you're waiting for the paper application to process. Hang in there - you've paid into this system for 10 years and you absolutely deserve these benefits. The paper route takes longer but it does work!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Moved to Florida last month but still working remotely for my California employer. My son was born 2 weeks ago and I'm hitting the exact same brick wall with the online system requiring a CA address. The phone situation is absolutely maddening - I've called probably 75+ times over the past week and get that same "maximum callers" message every single time. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though. I'm going to try the paper DE2501F route based on everyone's advice here. @Royal_GM_Mark and @Matthew Sanchez - thank you for the detailed instructions about the forms and mailing address. I had no idea there was a specific out-of-state process. @Anthony Young - definitely try that 619 number someone mentioned, and the Tuesday 8 AM timing tip from @Olivia Garcia. I'm going to give that a shot tomorrow while I'm waiting for my employer to complete their section of the paperwork. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops for benefits we've been paying into, but at least there seem to be workarounds. Keep us posted on how your paper application goes!