@OP regarding payment timing - Yes, there's usually a gap between starting leave and getting your first payment. In my experience, it took about 2-3 weeks after my claim was approved before I received the first payment. After that, they came every two weeks pretty reliably. I'd recommend having some savings to cover that initial gap. Some employers also allow you to use some paid vacation/PTO during this waiting period, which can help bridge the gap. Also, EDD pays about 60-70% of your wages up to a maximum (around $1,620/week in 2025), so budget for the reduced income during your leave period.

Just wanted to add my experience as a dad who took PFL in 2024 - the whole process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood the difference between FMLA and PFL. One thing that helped me was setting up my EDD account ahead of time like @StarStrider mentioned. When the baby came, I was able to file the DE2508 form online within a few days of getting the birth certificate. The hardest part was honestly dealing with my employer's attitude about it. They kept asking if I "really needed" the full 8 weeks and suggesting I could "work from home" during bonding leave. I had to remind them multiple times that this isn't vacation time - it's legally protected family leave that I'm entitled to as a California worker. Pro tip: Keep copies of ALL your paperwork (birth certificate, claim forms, correspondence with EDD) because you might need to reference them later. And don't let your boss guilt you about using your legal rights - you pay into SDI for exactly this reason! The bonding time with my daughter was absolutely priceless and worth navigating all the bureaucracy. Good luck with your little one!

Lol welcome to the wonderful world of government bureaucracy 🎪🤡 Where everything's made up and the timelines don't matter!

Hey, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's the link: https://claimyr.com

Also remind your son that when he activates the card, he should create a unique PIN - not something obvious like a birth date or 1234. And he should NOT keep the PIN written down anywhere near the card. That's another way fraud happens. When the money transfers to his regular bank, it'll be much safer than sitting on that EDD card.

Congratulations on becoming a grandparent! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation when my daughter had her baby bonding leave approved last year. The fraud concerns are 100% real - I personally witnessed horror stories in this community and decided to be proactive. Here's what worked perfectly for us: As soon as her EDD card arrived, we immediately set up automatic transfers through the Bank of America EDD portal (NOT the EDD website). The setup takes maybe 10 minutes and then it's completely hands-off. Every time a payment hits the card, it automatically moves to her checking account within 1-2 business days. I also highly recommend your son: - Set up mobile alerts with his regular bank for deposits over $100 - Keep the physical card in a safe place even after transfers are set up (he'll need it to access the BofA portal later) - Never write down his PIN anywhere The peace of mind is worth it! With a newborn, the last thing he needs is dealing with fraud recovery. Better to spend 10 minutes setting up transfers than potentially months fighting to get stolen money back.

Actually, I believe the 2025 maximum weekly benefit for PFL is $1,648 after the latest adjustment. But you're absolutely right about everything else. The key is making sure the medical certification clearly establishes need for care.

I'm so sorry your family is going through this difficult time. As someone who recently navigated PFL for my own family situation, I want to reassure you that your husband absolutely qualifies for Paid Family Leave to care for your hospitalized daughter. The fact that he's splitting his time between providing direct care at the hospital and managing childcare at home actually strengthens his case - this shows he's an essential part of your daughter's care team. When he applies using form DE2508F, make sure to document both his hospital visits and how the family caregiving responsibilities have been divided between you two. One tip: when the doctor completes the medical certification, ask them to be specific about why your daughter needs family support during her recovery. Phrases like "requires assistance with daily activities" or "benefits from family emotional support during hospitalization" can help establish the medical necessity. Also, don't let his HR department's misinformation delay the application. PFL has covered family caregiving since 2004 - it's definitely not just for new parents! The sooner he applies, the sooner you'll have some financial relief during this stressful time.

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! I'm feeling much more confident now that I'll likely get the higher 2025 rate for my baby bonding portion. I'll make sure to submit my PFL claim as soon as my SDI ends in January. Keeping my fingers crossed everything transitions smoothly!

Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I had a similar situation where my SDI ended in early January 2024 and PFL started right after. They were definitely treated as separate claims with different claim numbers. The transition was pretty smooth once I submitted the DE2508 form, though it did take about 2-3 weeks to get my first PFL payment. Make sure you have all your documents ready (birth certificate, etc.) before your SDI ends so you can file immediately. Good luck with your new baby!