Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to apply for PFL baby bonding this weekend (about 2 weeks before my disability ends). I'll double-check all the dates to make sure there's no overlap but also no gap. And I'll make sure to formally notify HR in writing about my plans. This has been so much more helpful than what I got from my company!

Just wanted to add my experience as another data point! I applied for PFL baby bonding exactly 10 days before my disability ended and it worked perfectly - no gap in payments at all. The key things that helped me were: 1) Making sure my disability end date matched what my doctor had certified, 2) Setting my PFL start date for the day immediately after disability ended, and 3) Having my baby's birth certificate ready to upload. The whole application took maybe 20 minutes online. Don't stress too much about the timing - the system really is designed to handle these transitions smoothly when you follow the basic steps everyone mentioned above!

man, i feel for you. been there, done that, got the t-shirt. EDD's website is like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded while riding a unicycle. just keep at it and eventually you'll stumble your way through 🤡

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The error codes can be super cryptic. A few things that helped me: 1. Try using incognito/private browsing mode - sometimes cached data causes issues 2. Make sure you're not copying and pasting any information (type it manually) 3. If you're getting a specific error code, try googling "EDD [error code number]" - sometimes you can find unofficial explanations 4. Don't refresh the page if it's loading, even if it seems slow Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have all your documents ready as PDFs before starting. The system times out pretty quickly and you don't want to lose progress hunting for paperwork. Hope this helps! The system is definitely frustrating but you'll get through it 🙏

I swear, dealing with EDD is like trying to nail jello to a wall. Anyone else feel like they're getting the runaround every time they call? 😤

Just to add to what others have said - EDD definitely doesn't call outside business hours. I learned this the hard way when I got a "callback" at 7 PM last month asking for my SSN and bank info. Turned out to be a scam! If you're expecting a call back, they'll only reach out during their normal operating hours (8 AM - 5 PM, Mon-Fri). Stay safe out there! 🛡️

The whole system is broken. I swear they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from using their benefits. Stay strong, OP!

I'm going through something similar right now - my application has been stuck for 3 weeks. One thing that helped me get some movement was sending a certified letter to both HR and my manager outlining the timeline and requesting a status update in writing. They seem to respond faster when there's a paper trail. Also, if you're in California, you might want to check if you qualify for state disability insurance (SDI) as a backup while waiting for FMLA approval. Hang in there!

I'm currently on PFL and my claim ends next week, so this thread is super timely for me! From what I've gathered from calling EDD (after being on hold for 2 hours 😫), they confirmed that you get paid through your actual end date as long as you certify for that final period. The rep told me the final certification becomes available usually within 24-48 hours after your current certification period ends. Since your current certification probably covers up to 10/22, you should definitely get that final form around 10/23-10/24 for the remaining period through 11/05. Just keep refreshing your UI Online account! And yeah, make sure to accurately report your return to work date on 11/03 - they're pretty good about prorating those partial periods. Hope this helps ease your budgeting stress! The waiting game with EDD is always nerve-wracking.

I went through this exact same situation with my PFL claim that ended in August! You will definitely get one more payment for those final two weeks (10/23-11/05). The key is watching your UI Online account starting around 10/23 for the final certification form to appear - it usually takes 1-3 days after your current period ends. Since you're returning to work on 11/03, make sure you report that date accurately on your final certification so you only get paid for the eligible days. The system is pretty good at calculating partial weeks as long as you're honest about your return date. One thing that helped me was taking screenshots of my certification just in case there were any issues later. The final payment processed within 2 business days after I certified. Don't worry about budgeting - that payment is definitely coming!