make sure u file ur claim as soon as ur doctor says u can go out! u get 4 weeks b4 ur due date for the pregnancy disability. and then 8 weeks after for baby bonding if u had c section (or 6 weeks if regular delivery). but DONT file the baby bonding part until after u have the baby - i made that mistake and had to start over lol

Congrats on baby #2! 🎉 Just wanted to add that if you run into any issues logging into your old account, don't panic. Sometimes the system locks you out after being inactive for so long. I had this happen and had to call the technical support line (different from the claims line) to get it unlocked. The number is 1-833-978-2511 and they were actually pretty helpful with account access issues. Also, once you're in, double-check that your direct deposit info is still correct - mine had somehow gotten cleared out over the years and I almost had my first payment sent as a paper check which would have delayed things even more. Good luck with everything!

I know this doesn't help your immediate situation, but I want to mention that there's currently legislation being considered to expand parental leave benefits for federal workers. If you're passionate about this issue (as it sounds like you are), consider contacting your representatives. The more federal employees who speak up about these gaps in coverage, the more likely we are to see meaningful change in the future. There's a Federal Employee Family Leave caucus that's specifically working on these issues.

Congratulations on getting those extra 6 weeks approved! That's a huge win, especially given how difficult it can be to navigate federal leave policies. I'm currently dealing with something similar as a new federal employee - it's so frustrating how we fall through the cracks between state and federal systems. Your post has been really educational for me to understand what options might be available. Enjoy that precious bonding time with your baby, and definitely follow the advice about getting everything in writing! It sounds like you really advocated well for yourself and your family.

I actually went through this exact same situation last month! Here's what worked for me: I called the PFL helpline first thing in the morning (around 8:05 AM) and got through pretty quickly. The rep was super helpful - they deleted the wrong form right away and walked me through uploading the correct one. Make sure you have your Social Security number and claim number handy when you call. The whole thing took maybe 20 minutes once I got connected. Don't stress too much about it messing up your application - they deal with this kind of thing all the time!

Hey! I had this exact issue a few weeks ago. I was panicking thinking I'd ruined everything, but it turned out to be no big deal at all. I called the PFL customer service line and explained what happened. The rep was really understanding and said this happens more often than you'd think. They removed the wrong form from my account within minutes and told me exactly how to upload the correct one. The key is to call them sooner rather than later - don't let it sit there stressing you out like I did! You got this! 💪

btw my cousin had this same problem and they backdated her claim after she finally reached someone! so don't give up - keep calling until u reach a real person who can fix it!! u deserve those benefits!!!

I went through a very similar situation last year! The key thing to understand is that when you marked "recovered" on that certification, EDD automatically closed your SDI claim - even though you were entitled to the full 6 weeks post-delivery. This is a super common mistake because the forms are confusing. Here's what worked for me: Call EDD and specifically ask to speak with someone about "reopening a prematurely closed SDI claim due to certification error." Use those exact words. They can usually fix this and backdate your payments. One tip that helped me get through faster: Try calling the main number (1-800-480-3287) but press 1 for English, then 2 for employee, then 4 for disability insurance. Sometimes this routing gets you to someone faster than the PFL-specific line. Once your SDI is properly closed after the full 6-week recovery period, you can seamlessly transition to PFL for baby bonding. Don't let them tell you it's "too late" - you have rights here! Good luck and congratulations on your baby!

To summarize for you and anyone else reading this thread about PFL baby bonding filing timeframes: 1. Earliest filing date: 30 days before leave starts (May 2nd for June 1st start) 2. Latest filing date: Technically within 41 days after leave begins, but don't wait - file before leave starts 3. Required documents: Birth certificate, DE1PS from employer, employment info 4. Process time: Typically 7-14 days but can take up to 3 weeks for first payment 5. Certification: Must complete bi-weekly certifications once claim is approved Also, remember that baby bonding leave must be completed within 12 months of birth/placement, and the minimum duration for any baby bonding leave period is 2 weeks (except for the final period if less than 2 weeks remain).

Just wanted to add one more tip that saved us - make sure your husband's employer doesn't accidentally mark his leave as "disability" instead of "baby bonding" on the DE1PS form! My company's HR did this initially and it caused a 2-week delay while EDD sorted it out. The codes are different and it matters for processing. Also, if he's planning to take the leave in June, I'd recommend applying exactly on May 2nd (the 30-day mark) rather than waiting. Summer tends to be busier for EDD with all the vacation schedules, so earlier is better. Good luck with everything!