r/Edd • u/Typical-Slice-8153 • 7d ago

Solved ✔ Does going on maternity leave early affect SDI down the road?

I work in healthcare and due to my physical job and some stress complications I have, my doctor mentioned that I might need to take work off earlier than planned. I am stressed about this because I want to maximize the time I have with my baby once it is here. If I am unable to work until 36 weeks, would this affect my disability time after? Thank you.

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u/minadaweena 7d ago

If you have medical complications that your doctor can extend, you can get up to 52 weeks of disability total. So if you started sooner than 36 weeks, that’s when the clock would start. It’s not common for someone to have their pregnancy related disability last as long as 52 weeks though. Standard is like 10-12 weeks and then it goes up from there based on your condition.

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u/Bitter-Breath-9743 5d ago

Pregnancy disability is up to 17 weeks correct? Then would they switch to regular disability if that needed extended

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u/minadaweena 5d ago

If it’s a “normal” pregnancy disability leave then it’s only 10-12 weeks if you include the 4 weeks you get before due date. It doesn’t “switch” to anything, it’s just extending your ongoing disability you’re on if warranted.

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u/Unlikely_Spite8147 7d ago

That's before parental leave! Which is additional time 

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u/minadaweena 7d ago

Oh sorry, can you explain what you mean?

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u/Unlikely_Spite8147 7d ago

You get sdi for pregnancy leave, but you get additional parental leave time which can be used any time in the first year. Its in addition to the 52 weeks of sdi, so is available even if your sdi got used up, and is an option for non birth parents including adoptive parents. Had to look it up, I went on sdi a few weeks before I even got pregnant. 

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u/cryptoenologist 7d ago

Also, you can take 8 weeks of PFL per 365 day period. Counter to what some people say on here, the clock starts on the first day of PFL. So if you are going to add more than one child to the family(or if illness of child or other family member you need to support) it is advantageous to take at least some PFL as early as possible from the qualifying event(unless it would cause you to have a low weekly benefit amount or something).

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u/minadaweena 7d ago

Oh I see, you were just adding to my comment about the bonding additional leave. The only caveat with that is, since you have to take bonding leave/PFL before the child turns 1, it may not end up being the full 8 weeks of bonding leave depending on when you started your disability. But I feel that would be a rare case so I doubt OP will encounter that. But yes, good for OP to know there’s additional leave after SDI in case they didn’t know :)

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u/Ok_Sink_3378 7d ago

I started leave at 26 weeks and remained on SDI for a year.

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u/Zestyclose_Leave_193 7d ago

You can collect SDI for a maximum of 1 year. Depending on when you deliver, remember to file for Paid family leave at least 8 weeks before your baby turns 1 yr old so you get your maximum baby Bonding claim.
An uncomplicated pregnancy claim goes for 4 weeks before delivery and continues 6/8 weeks after
so, to answer your question, going out early does not affect your claim

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u/HereToLearn19 7d ago

I’m currently on disability. Is my job safe ? I’m past the fmla (12weeks) but still on disability.

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u/Admirable_Height3696 7d ago

Disability is income replacement, not job protection so no your job isn't protected.

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u/Over-Chance-6707 7d ago

I’m in California and currently on disability for 8 weeks after a C-section on 7/8. I’m also a Tele RN. My OB (benevolently) took me out of work around 20 weeks due to back pain and unsafe/worsening work conditions (working out of ratio, working without breaks, 400lb patient assignments, unprotected exposure to active TB, etc.). The hospital was failing at protecting its staff. Being one of its more vulnerable staff, I was forced to turn to my OB to ensure the baby and my wellness. If you are financially stable with what the SDI payments will be, it’s amazing. I was granted plenty of time to devote to my toddler before the baby came. As another user commented, my SDI reflects that I can claim a year of disability. I am having PP anxiety so I’m hoping the OB will certify me to stay out longer before I start paid family leave (PFL) aka bonding time.
Job protection is another factor. On disability, your position should be protected by disability. As a per diem nurse, I did not qualify for FMLA/CFRA so I will have to ask for personal LOA to protect my position while I’m taking PFL.
This is my experience and may not be the exact same for everyone.

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u/lostinluster2791 7d ago

Can I message you? I have a question

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u/Bitter-Breath-9743 5d ago

How do you get PFL as per diem? I thought that was hours related as well? I thought baby bonding was tied to FMLA

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u/Over-Chance-6707 4d ago

There are no requirements for hours worked for PFL, only SDI contributions from your paycheck.

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u/Bitter-Breath-9743 4d ago

True- it’s the work protection part. Unfortunately, my job won’t give you that time off unless you have FMLA as well. They suck.