Transitioning from SDI to Paid Family Leave - when to apply and duration questions

You don't need to wait until your SDI ends to apply for PFL. Since you're going from disability to caregiving PFL, you should submit your PFL application about 5-7 days before your disability claim ends. This will help minimize any gap in payments. For PFL caregiving, you can receive up to 8 weeks of benefits in 2025, and your weekly benefit amount should stay the same as your SDI amount. You'll need to have your father's doctor complete the medical certification form for your PFL claim to verify that he needs care. The form is called the DE 2501F.

Thanks so much! This is really helpful. So I can apply before my SDI ends? That's a huge relief. Do I use the same SDI Online account to apply for the PFL, or is it a completely different application process?

Just adding to the above excellent info - yes, you'll use the same SDI Online account to apply for PFL. It's all under the same system, which makes it easier. Go to the 'New Claim' section and select 'Paid Family Leave' instead of 'Disability Insurance.' Make sure you have your father's doctor information ready and let them know they'll need to complete the medical certification. PFL for caregiving needs to be taken within a 12-month period, but you can split up the 8 weeks if needed - doesn't have to be all at once.

That's perfect, thank you! Good to know I can use the same account. One more question - for the doctor certification, do I need to get that before I apply or can I submit my application first and then have my dad's doctor complete the form after?

i was on sdi last yr n then did pfl for my mom. u can totally apply before ur sdi ends. actually better 2 do it early than late. but make sure ur dad's doc fills out that form quickly or your claim will get stuck in pending forever. i waited 3 weeks cause the doc took forever!! edd doesn't follow up with the doctors u have to do it urself

THIS RIGHT HERE!! The doctors are THE WORST about filling out those forms on time! My PFL claim was delayed for over a month because my mom's doctor kept

Oh wow, that's good to know. I'll make sure to talk to my dad's doctor ASAP then. I definitely can't afford to have a gap in payments.

Been through this exact situation last year. If you're having trouble reaching someone at EDD to answer specific questions about transitioning from SDI to PFL (which I did), try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD representative in about 25 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. It was definitely worth it to get my specific questions answered about the transition timing and making sure I didn't mess up the paperwork.

I've heard mixed things about services like this. Did they actually help or just connect you to the same frustrating EDD system? Was it worth it?

It just connected me to a real EDD agent - which was exactly what I needed. After trying for days with constant busy signals and disconnects, I got through in under 30 minutes. The EDD agent I spoke with gave me specific guidance for my transition from SDI to PFL that saved me from making mistakes on my application. So for me, it was worth it because my benefits were at stake.

Everyone forgetting the most important part - SDI and PFL combined cannot exceed 52 weeks total for the same claim period! So if you've been on SDI for 12 weeks already, you can only get 40 more weeks of PFL maximum (though PFL caregiving is capped at 8 weeks anyway). Also the benefit amount is the SAME between SDI and PFL.

That's not entirely accurate. The 52-week maximum applies to disability claims for the same or related condition. Since the OP is transitioning from their own disability to caring for their father (two separate claim types), the 52-week combined maximum doesn't apply in this situation. Their PFL will be a completely new claim for a different purpose (caregiving vs. own disability), with its own separate 8-week maximum for 2025.

Hmm you might be right actually! I think I was confusing it with pregnancy disability transitioning to bonding PFL, which does count toward the same claim period. Thanks for the correction!

I tried applying for PFL after disability last summer and the whole system is SUCH A NIGHTMARE!!! My disability claim was fine but then when I applied for PFL they somehow LOST my application and I had to resubmit EVERYTHING and then they said I needed more documentation and by the time I got everything sorted out I had already been caring for my mom for THREE WEEKS with NO PAY!!! The EDD is complete garbage and nobody there knows what they're doing. Good luck getting actual help from them!!

Sorry you had such a frustrating experience. For the OP's benefit, this isn't typical - most transitions from SDI to PFL go relatively smoothly if you follow the process correctly. Applying 5-7 days before SDI ends, making sure the medical certification is submitted promptly, and following up if there are delays usually prevents these issues. Don't forget you can always contact your local state representative's office if you're experiencing severe delays or problems with your claim.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm going to apply for PFL about a week before my SDI ends, and I've already contacted my dad's doctor about completing the medical certification form. Definitely relieved to know I can use the same SDI Online account and that my benefit amount should stay the same. Fingers crossed for a smooth transition!

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Just remember to select 'Paid Family Leave' and then 'Care for a family member' when you start the new claim. And keep a copy of everything you submit, just in case there are any questions later. Best of luck with your father's recovery!

Just went through this exact transition myself a few months ago! One tip that really helped me - when you're getting your dad's doctor to fill out the DE 2501F form, ask them to be as specific as possible about his care needs and the expected duration. The more detailed they are about why he needs assistance (mobility, medication management, etc.), the smoother your approval process will be. Also, don't forget that as the caregiver, you'll need to certify every two weeks that you're still providing care, just like you do with SDI. The good news is the certification process is pretty straightforward through the same online portal. Hope your dad's recovery goes well!

As someone who recently went through a similar transition, I'd recommend also keeping a simple log or calendar of the care you're providing for your father - even just basic notes about what assistance you gave each day. This isn't required by EDD, but it can be really helpful if they ever have questions about your claim or if you need to provide additional documentation. Also, make sure you understand that PFL caregiving is specifically for providing care due to a "serious health condition" - so your father's stroke definitely qualifies, but it's good to have that medical documentation clearly stating his need for care. One last thing - if your father has other family members who might also be providing care, EDD may ask about that, so be prepared to explain your specific role as the primary caregiver. Wishing you and your father all the best during this challenging time!

I went through this exact same transition last year when my mom had major surgery right after I finished my own disability claim. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - when you're applying for the PFL claim, there's actually a section in the application where you can indicate that you're transitioning directly from SDI. This helps EDD process your claim more efficiently and reduces the chance of any payment delays. Also, since you mentioned your father just had a stroke, make sure his doctor specifies on the DE 2501F form that he needs "hands-on care" or "supervision" - not just companionship. EDD can be picky about the language used, and being specific about the type of care needed (like help with mobility, medication reminders, assistance with daily activities) really helps avoid any back-and-forth with their review team. The transition should be seamless if everything is submitted properly. Good luck with your dad's recovery!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community but have been reading through all these incredibly helpful responses. I'm actually in a very similar situation - currently on SDI and will need to transition to PFL soon to care for my elderly mother. Reading through all your experiences has been so reassuring! Just wanted to add one more tip that my case worker mentioned: if you're worried about timing, you can actually call the EDD customer service line specifically to ask about "claim transition timing" - apparently they have specialists who handle SDI to PFL transitions and can give you personalized advice about when exactly to submit your PFL application based on your current SDI end date. The number is the same (1-800-480-3287) but when you get through the phone tree, there's an option specifically for "transitioning between claim types." Might be worth trying if you want that extra peace of mind about the timing! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread is going to help so many people navigate this confusing process.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's currently navigating the EDD system for the first time, I really appreciate how everyone has shared their real experiences - both the smooth transitions and the challenging ones. The advice about applying 5-7 days before SDI ends, getting the doctor to be specific about care needs on the DE 2501F form, and keeping a daily care log are all things I never would have thought of on my own. It's also reassuring to know that the benefit amount stays the same when transitioning from SDI to PFL, and that you can use the same online account. One question I have after reading everything - for those who have done this transition, how long did it typically take from submitting your PFL application to receiving your first payment? I'm trying to plan my finances accordingly since I'll likely need to make a similar transition soon. Thanks again to everyone for making this complex process feel much more manageable!

I'm currently going through this exact transition right now! Just submitted my PFL application yesterday, about 6 days before my SDI ends. One thing I learned that might help - when you're filling out the PFL application online, there's a section where you can upload supporting documents. I included a copy of my SDI award letter along with my father's hospital discharge summary from his stroke. My case worker mentioned this can help speed up the review process since it shows the clear transition from your own disability to caregiving needs. Also, I set up a reminder in my phone to follow up with my dad's doctor 3 days after giving them the DE 2501F form - based on what everyone's saying here about doctors being slow to complete these forms, I definitely don't want to leave it to chance! Will update this thread once I hear back on my claim approval. Thanks everyone for all the detailed advice - it made this process so much less intimidating!