This thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm currently 7 months pregnant with my first and my husband and I have been discussing timing for a potential second baby. Reading through everyone's situations has really opened my eyes to how complex the SDI system can be with back-to-back pregnancies. The tip about requesting a benefits estimate from EDD is brilliant - I had no idea that was even possible! And I'm definitely going to start that earnings spreadsheet right away. It sounds like being super organized with documentation is crucial for avoiding delays and calculation errors. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen discussed much: has anyone had experience with different employers between pregnancies? I'm wondering if changing jobs between babies could complicate the base period wage calculations, especially if the new employer is slower to report wages to EDD. Also, for those who've been through this process, did you find it helpful to connect with other parents who had similar timing situations? This community seems so supportive and knowledgeable compared to trying to figure everything out alone! Sending positive vibes to everyone navigating these complex benefit situations while growing their families! 💕

Wow, this thread is absolutely incredible! I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant with my first baby and honestly hadn't even thought about how complex the benefit situation could get with potential future pregnancies. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a little overwhelming! The practical tips you all have shared are amazing - especially the benefits estimate request, keeping detailed spreadsheets, and calling EDD multiple times to find knowledgeable reps. I'm definitely going to start organizing all my employment/earnings documentation now while I'm thinking about it. @Isabella Martin - I really hope your situation works out smoothly! It sounds like based on everyone's advice, you should be in good shape with your July-December 2023 work history. And @QuantumQuest, that benefits estimate tip could be a game-changer for planning purposes. One thing I'm realizing from this discussion is how important it is to understand these systems BEFORE you need them. Has anyone found good resources (besides this amazing community!) for learning about SDI/PFL rules in plain English? The EDD website is so confusing, and it seems like getting accurate info from phone reps is hit or miss. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space to discuss these complicated situations! 💙

Hey Malik! I just went through this exact transition last month and wanted to share a few tips that really helped me: 1. File your PFL claim online TONIGHT if possible - don't wait until Monday. The sooner you get it in, the sooner they start processing. 2. When you're filling out the application, there's a section where you can specify your desired start date. Since your SDI ended 1/15/25, put that date as your PFL start date to avoid any gap. 3. Have your baby's info ready (birth date, hospital records, etc.) but don't stress if you don't have the official birth certificate yet - the hospital paperwork works fine initially. 4. After you submit, you should get a confirmation email with your new claim number. Screenshot it! You'll need it if you have to call later. My whole process took about 8 business days from filing to first payment, which was way better than I expected. The key is getting that application submitted ASAP. Good luck!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this transition in November! After my pregnancy disability ended, I was terrified about the gap in payments too. Here's what worked for me: I filed my PFL claim online at like 11 PM on a Sunday night (couldn't sleep anyway with the newborn!) and it was actually really straightforward. The whole application took maybe 15 minutes. Make sure you have your baby's birth info handy - I used the hospital discharge paperwork since I didn't have the official birth certificate yet. One thing that saved me stress - I called my bank ahead of time to let them know there might be a small delay between my SDI payments ending and PFL starting, just in case I needed to defer any automatic payments. Turned out I didn't need to, but it gave me peace of mind. Also, keep checking your SDI Online account every day after you file. You can track the status of your claim there, and it updates pretty quickly. Don't panic if it says "pending" for the first few days - that's totally normal. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting that initial application submitted. Once it's in the system, things move pretty smoothly.

Just wanted to follow up on this thread since it's been so incredibly helpful! I successfully got my date corrected this morning using all the advice here. Called EDD at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on my first try - the early morning strategy really works! The representative was super understanding and said date errors are extremely common with PFL claims. She transferred me to a claims specialist who made the correction from April 27 to May 27 while I was on the phone and gave me confirmation number #PFL-DC-2025-0329-1847. The whole process took about 18 minutes and I can already see the updated end date in my UI Online account. Thank you SO much to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this community is amazing! For anyone else who makes this mistake, don't panic - it really is a straightforward fix if you call early and have your paperwork ready. Miguel, Amara, Gabriel, Freya, and everyone else who helped - you literally saved my sanity and my benefits!

This thread has been such a goldmine of practical advice! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - accidentally put the wrong start date on my PFL claim (off by two weeks) and was absolutely freaking out about it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has completely calmed my nerves and given me a clear action plan. The consistent advice about calling at 8:00 AM sharp seems to be the real key, and it's so reassuring to hear from multiple people that date corrections are actually routine for EDD to handle. I'm going to follow the same approach tomorrow morning with all my documentation ready. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and especially to those who came back to update with their successful outcomes - it makes such a difference to see that these scary mistakes can actually be fixed relatively easily with the right approach!

I'm a per diem radiology tech and just wanted to jump in to say how incredible this thread is! I'm currently 4 months pregnant and was planning to ask this exact same question because my HR department gave me the same discouraging response about not qualifying for any company benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a game-changer for my peace of mind. It's both frustrating and reassuring to see how universal this problem is - so many HR departments seem to conflate company policies with California state benefits, causing unnecessary panic for per diem workers like us. What I'm taking away from all these success stories: - State benefits (SDI/PFL) are based on CASDI contributions, not employment status - The timing is crucial (9 days before last work day for SDI, 2 weeks before SDI ends for PFL) - Having a prepared OB office makes a huge difference - Direct supervisor conversations often work better than HR for job protection discussions I've been working per diem for about 2 years, consistently 25-35 hours per week, and I can see the CASDI deductions on every paystub. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should be in good shape to qualify! Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and timelines. This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere for other per diem healthcare workers to find. It's incredible how much stress could be avoided if more people knew that California state benefits are separate from employer policies! Starting my paystub collection this weekend and definitely talking to my OB about the EDD process at my next appointment. You've all given me so much confidence! 💙

I'm a per diem surgical tech who went through this exact situation last year! Your HR department is giving you the same misleading speech that countless per diem healthcare workers hear - they're mixing up company benefits with California state benefits. Here's the reality: California SDI and PFL are YOUR benefits based on your CASDI payroll contributions, not your employment classification. Since you've worked consistently for 18 months with $1,100-1,600 monthly earnings, you absolutely should qualify! My successful timeline: - Applied for SDI exactly 9 days before my planned last shift (around 4 weeks before due date) - Coordinated with my OB's office beforehand so they could complete certification forms quickly - Filed for PFL 2 weeks before my SDI claim ended to avoid payment gaps - Received full benefits despite my hospital saying I "qualified for nothing" Key prep tips: - Start collecting paystubs now that show CASDI deductions - Talk to your OB about the EDD certification process at your next appointment - Get familiar with the EDD website while you're not stressed - Have a direct conversation with your supervisor (not HR) about job accommodation The most important thing to understand: you've been paying into this system with every paycheck specifically for situations like pregnancy and baby bonding. Don't let misinformed HR policies make you think you don't deserve benefits you've literally been funding! Start your preparation now and apply with confidence when the time comes. This community is proof that per diem healthcare workers successfully navigate this process all the time. You've got this! 💪

I had this exact same issue when I filed for my baby bonding claim a few months ago! The EDD Customer Account Number is definitely confusing to find at first. Like others mentioned, it's usually in the top right corner of your letters, but I also want to add that if you received multiple pieces of mail from EDD, check ALL of them because sometimes the EDDCAN is more prominent on one letter than another. I found mine clearest on the "Notice of Computation" letter rather than the initial approval letter. Also, pro tip: once you find it and get your SDI Online account set up, bookmark that login page because the EDD website is a maze and finding the login again can be just as frustrating! Hope this helps and congratulations on your new baby!

I just went through this same struggle a couple months ago with my PFL claim! One thing that really helped me was knowing that the EDD Customer Account Number might also appear on your wage statement or any previous EDD correspondence if you've ever filed for unemployment or disability benefits before. It's the same number across all EDD programs. Also, if you're still having trouble after finding your EDDCAN, make sure you're using the correct birth date format when setting up your online account - I kept getting error messages because I was entering it wrong! The whole process is definitely overwhelming when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn, but once you get through the initial setup, managing your claim online is actually pretty straightforward. Hang in there!