What California Disability Insurance Covers During Pregnancy and After Birth

California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) program pays part of your wages if you cannot work because of pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery after delivery. The program is run by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and funded through payroll deductions — you do not pay a separate premium. If you work for a covered employer in California, you are already enrolled.

SDI maternity coverage begins four weeks before your due date (or when your doctor certifies you cannot work due to pregnancy) and continues for up to six weeks after vaginal delivery or eight weeks after cesarean delivery. The payment replaces roughly 55 to 60 percent of your regular wages, up to a maximum weekly amount that changes each year. You receive a check every two weeks while your claim is active.

This is different from the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which protects your job but does not pay you. SDI pays you while you are off work; FMLA keeps your employer from firing you while you are gone. You can use both at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • SDI maternity leave covers four weeks before your due date through six to eight weeks after delivery, depending on the type of birth.
  • You must file a claim with the EDD at least 30 days before you plan to stop working, though you can file earlier in your pregnancy.
  • Your doctor must complete a medical certification form stating the dates you cannot work due to pregnancy or recovery.
  • The EDD will mail you a notice of information within two to three weeks of filing, telling you whether your claim was approved and what your weekly payment will be.
  • If your employer offers a company disability plan that meets or exceeds SDI benefits, you may be required to use that plan instead.

When Your SDI Maternity Coverage Starts and Ends

Your SDI maternity leave period is determined by your doctor and the type of delivery. The coverage window opens four weeks before your due date, but you do not have to stop working then — you can continue if you are able. Once you stop working due to pregnancy or medical complications, you can file a claim and SDI payments begin the same week you stop.

After delivery, coverage continues for six weeks if you had a vaginal delivery or eight weeks if you had a cesarean section. If you experience complications during pregnancy (such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia) that prevent you from working before the four-week window, your doctor can certify those dates and you may be covered earlier. The EDD will review the medical certification to confirm the dates match the reason for leave.

Your coverage ends on the date your doctor certifies you can return to work. If you return early, SDI payments stop when ready. If you want to extend your leave beyond the standard period, your doctor must provide a new medical certification explaining why you still cannot work.

How to File Your SDI Maternity Claim

File your claim with the EDD at least 30 days before you plan to stop working. You can file online through the EDD website, by mail, or by phone. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your employer's name and address. Have your most recent pay stub available so you can confirm your wage information.

When you file, you will also submit a medical certification form (DE 2501) completed by your doctor or midwife. This form states the date you became unable to work due to pregnancy or delivery and the expected date you can return. Your healthcare provider can complete this form during a routine prenatal visit — ask your doctor's office to fill it out and return it to the EDD, or you can submit it yourself.

The EDD will send you a notice of information within two to three weeks. This notice tells you whether your claim was approved, what your weekly benefit amount is, and the dates your coverage runs. If the EDD denies your claim or the benefit amount seems wrong, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the notice date.

How Much You Will Receive and When Payments Arrive

SDI maternity benefits replace approximately 55 to 60 percent of your average weekly wage, calculated from the highest 12 months of earnings in the past 18 months. There is a minimum weekly benefit (currently around $50 per week) and a maximum weekly benefit that the EDD updates each year. For 2024, the maximum is $1,540 per week, but this amount changes annually.

Payments are issued every two weeks by debit card or direct deposit, depending on how you set up your account. The first payment may take an additional week or two to arrive after your claim is approved. If you choose direct deposit, payments arrive faster and you avoid the debit card fees.

You are responsible for paying taxes on SDI benefits. The EDD does not withhold taxes automatically, so you may owe money when you file your tax return. Some people choose to have taxes withheld from their SDI payments — you can request this when you file your claim or by contacting the EDD later.

If Your Employer Offers a Company Disability Plan

Some large employers in California offer their own short-term disability insurance that covers maternity leave. If your employer's plan provides benefits equal to or greater than SDI, your employer may require you to use the company plan instead of SDI. This is called an "SDI-approved plan" or "voluntary plan."

If your employer offers such a plan, you should receive information about it during onboarding or when you announce your pregnancy. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department whether the company has a disability plan and whether it covers maternity leave. If it does, you will file your claim through the company's insurance carrier, not the EDD, though the coverage period and payment structure are similar to SDI.

If your employer's plan does not cover maternity leave or provides less than SDI would, you can file an SDI claim with the EDD instead. You cannot use both plans at the same time.

What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied or the Amount Is Wrong

The EDD may deny your maternity claim if you do not have a valid medical certification, if you do not meet the wage requirements (you must have earned at least $300 in the past 12 months), or if your employer is not covered by SDI. Some federal employees, railroad workers, and self-employed people are not covered.

If your claim is denied, the EDD will send you a notice of information explaining the reason. You have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal. To appeal, submit a written request to the EDD office that handled your claim, explaining why you believe the decision was wrong. Include any additional medical documentation or wage records that support your case.

If the weekly benefit amount seems too low, check the wage information on your notice of information. If the EDD used incorrect earnings, you can request a recalculation by submitting recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer confirming your wages. The appeal process is the same: submit your request within 30 days of the notice date.

Returning to Work and What Happens to Your Benefits

Your SDI maternity benefits end on the date your doctor certifies you are able to return to work. If you return before that date, notify the EDD when ready — continuing to collect benefits after you return is considered fraud and you will be required to repay the money.

If you return to work part-time or at reduced hours while still recovering, you may be able to continue receiving partial SDI benefits. The EDD will reduce your weekly payment based on the wages you earn. Report any work and earnings to the EDD when you return; do not assume your claim will automatically adjust.

If you need to extend your leave beyond the standard six or eight weeks due to medical complications, your doctor must provide a new medical certification. Submit this to the EDD before your current coverage period ends. Extensions are granted only if there is a medical reason documented by your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SDI maternity leave if I work part-time or have multiple jobs?

Yes, as long as you earned at least $300 in the past 12 months and your employer is covered by SDI. If you work multiple part-time jobs, the EDD will calculate your benefit based on combined earnings from all covered employers. Report all jobs when you file your claim.

What if I have complications during pregnancy and need to stop working before four weeks before my due date?

Your doctor can certify that you cannot work due to pregnancy complications, and SDI will cover you from that earlier date. Conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or severe morning sickness may may have access to. Submit the medical certification to the EDD as soon as your doctor completes it.

Do I have to use all six or eight weeks of maternity leave, or can I return early?

You can return to work whenever you and your doctor agree you are able. SDI payments stop the week you return. If you return early, you do not forfeit unused weeks — you straightforward stop receiving payments once you are working again.

Will my job be protected while I am on SDI maternity leave?

If your employer has 50 or more employees and you have worked there for at least 12 months, your job is protected under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Smaller employers are not required to hold your job, though many do. Check your employee handbook or ask HR about your employer's maternity leave policy.

What if the EDD says I owe money back because I was overpaid?

If the EDD determines you were overpaid, you have the right to appeal. You can also request a payment plan if you cannot repay the full amount at once. Contact the EDD office that issued the overpayment notice to discuss your options.