Anyone else feel like we need to start a petition or something to get the government to fix this mess? It's not fair that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to.

Wow, this whole thread is so relatable! I'm currently on week 4 of trying to get my PFL claim processed and it's been absolutely exhausting. The fact that we have to resort to paying third-party services just to talk to someone at our own state agency is honestly insane. I've been hesitant about using those calling services because I wasn't sure if they were legit, but hearing multiple people confirm they work is really helpful. At this point, $20 seems like a small price to pay for my sanity. Thanks for sharing your experience @Jungleboo - gives me hope that there's actually a light at the end of this tunnel! 🤞

Based on your updates, it sounds like you're on the right track. To answer your question about cashing benefits: only use the money for the dates you were actually on leave. When you speak with EDD, ask them to issue an adjusted Notice of Computation that reflects your correct dates. They can recalculate your benefit amount based on your actual leave period. Regarding certification - yes, you should receive a continued claim certification form (DE2580) where you'll indicate which specific days you were on leave. This is where you'll officially tell them which days you're claiming benefits for, regardless of the broader approval period. Keep copies of everything and don't stress too much. These administrative mix-ups are common and fixable. Just be persistent and clear in your communication with EDD.

I went through something similar last year with my PFL claim! The date confusion happened to me too - I think it's because when you file online, there's a section where you can indicate you want the "maximum benefit period" and sometimes that gets selected automatically or by mistake during the application process. A few things that helped me: - When you call EDD, specifically ask them to pull up your original application and read back exactly what dates you requested. Sometimes there's a discrepancy between what you think you filed for and what's actually in their system. - The work history form is actually a good thing - it means they're processing your claim and just need to verify your wages. Fill it out completely and honestly. - Don't cash any payments for dates you weren't actually on leave, but also don't panic about the approval letter. That's just showing your maximum eligibility window. The whole system is definitely confusing, but you're not doing anything wrong by being a full-time employee who took leave - that's exactly what PFL is for! Just stay persistent with the phone calls and you'll get it sorted out.

I went through this exact same confusion last year! The reason everyone's giving you blank stares is because most people don't realize that PFL is a STATE program, not something your employer manages. Here's what you need to do RIGHT NOW: 1. Go to edd.ca.gov and log into your SDI Online account (the same one you used for pregnancy disability) 2. Look for "File New Claim" and select Paid Family Leave 3. Choose "Care for Family Member" and then "Bond with New Child" 4. You'll need your baby's birth certificate and Social Security number The whole application takes maybe 15 minutes online. Don't waste time calling around to doctors and HR departments - they literally cannot help you with this because it's between you and the state. Also, you mentioned your leave "clock is ticking" - just to ease your mind, you actually have 41 days from when you want your bonding leave to START to file the claim. So if your disability ends on January 15th and you want bonding to start January 16th, you have until February 26th to file. But definitely don't wait that long because you won't get paid until you actually submit the claim! You've got this! 💪

Just wanted to chime in as someone who literally went through this transition last month! The confusion you're experiencing is SO normal - I think California could do a much better job explaining how these different leave types work together. Everyone here has given you great advice about the DE2508 form and filing online through SDI. One small tip I'll add: when you file your baby bonding claim, make sure to put the start date as the day AFTER your pregnancy disability ends. EDD doesn't like gaps or overlaps between claims, and if there's any confusion about dates, it can delay your payments. Also, once you file, expect to wait about 2-3 weeks for your first payment. I know money is probably tight during this time, so just plan accordingly! You're doing great navigating all this bureaucracy while caring for a newborn. It's honestly ridiculous that new parents have to figure out all these different forms and deadlines during what should be a peaceful bonding time. But you'll get through it! 💕

This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently on PFL for baby bonding and was thinking about doing exactly what you did - using only part of my time now and saving some for later. Your experience is a great reminder to be extra careful with the dates. Quick question for anyone who's done this split approach: when you go to file for the remaining weeks later in the year, do you need to submit a completely new claim or is there a way to reactivate the existing one? I want to make sure I don't run into any issues when I'm ready to take the rest of my time.

This whole thread is so reassuring! I'm expecting my first baby in a couple months and have been trying to figure out the best way to split my PFL time. My plan was to take 4 weeks initially and save the other 4 weeks for when my partner goes back to work, but I've been super anxious about messing up the paperwork. Reading about everyone's experiences (especially the success stories!) makes me feel more confident. Definitely going to bookmark that Claimyr service just in case I run into phone issues. Thanks everyone for sharing your real-world experiences - way more helpful than trying to decipher the EDD website!

OP, check ur spam folder. Sometimes important emails end up there. Happened to me and I almost missed a deadline 😱

I went through something similar last year - my claim was stuck for 3 months! What finally worked for me was submitting a complaint through the CA Labor Commissioner's office online. They have a specific form for wage claim issues that includes PFL delays. Within 2 weeks of filing that complaint, someone from EDD called me directly and my claim was processed within days. It's like they have a special queue for complaints that actually gets attention. Worth a shot if all else fails!