I'm currently 32 weeks and planning ahead for this same transition! Reading all these responses is both helpful and nerve-wracking. It sounds like the system is hit-or-miss, so I'm definitely going to set multiple calendar reminders starting at week 6 of my disability period to check for the PFL email. One question I haven't seen answered yet - if you don't get the automatic email and have to call EDD, is there a specific time of day that's better for getting through? I keep hearing about how impossible it is to reach them, and I'm worried about trying to navigate their phone system with a newborn! Also, has anyone had success using the EDD online chat feature for this, or do you absolutely have to call? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to hear real stories instead of just the official EDD website info!

I went through this exact situation last month! I'm a first-time mom too and was SO worried about the transition. Here's what actually happened: I got the automated email 5 days before my SDI was set to end, which was a huge relief. The email came from the same EDD account that sends all the SDI notifications (@edd.ca.gov). It had a direct link to apply for PFL and clear instructions. BUT - and this is important - I had checked "yes" on my original disability application when they asked if I planned to apply for PFL afterward. I think that's what triggers the system to send the email. My advice: definitely set calendar reminders, but also log into your EDD online account regularly during your last week of disability. Sometimes the PFL application link shows up there even if the email gets lost. And if you don't see anything by 3-4 days before your disability ends, call immediately. Don't wait! The PFL application itself was pretty straightforward once I had the link. Just make sure you have your SDI claim number handy when you fill it out. Good luck mama, you've got this! 💪

Hi Zara! I'm new to this community and currently 22 weeks pregnant. My husband just got a job offer in North Carolina and we're seriously considering the move, but I was terrified about losing my CA disability benefits. Finding this thread has been such a blessing! Reading through everyone's experiences has completely put my mind at ease. I had no idea that eligibility was based on where you worked and paid into the system, not where you currently live. I've been contributing to CA SDI for 4 years, so losing those benefits would have been devastating. The practical advice everyone has shared is incredible - especially the tips about updating addresses with both EDD and your employer's HR, keeping documentation with screenshots, and maintaining your CA bank account during the transition. I'm definitely going to create a comprehensive checklist based on all this wisdom. @Nia Harris your step-by-step breakdown was so helpful! And @Zainab Yusuf those tips about taking screenshots and keeping records are genius. After reading about some of the challenges others faced, I want to be extra prepared. Thank you for starting this discussion - it's helping so many of us navigate these big life decisions during pregnancy. Wishing you the best with your move to Nevada and congratulations on your first baby! This community is truly amazing. 💙

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and 19 weeks pregnant. My husband just received an incredible job offer in Texas that we're strongly considering, but I was absolutely terrified about potentially losing my CA disability benefits if we moved. Finding this thread has been like discovering a treasure trove of information! I had no idea that CA would honor benefits based on where you worked rather than where you currently live. I've been paying into SDI here in California for over 4 years, so it would have been heartbreaking to lose those benefits just because of a career opportunity. @Nia Harris - thank you so much for that detailed step-by-step breakdown! I'm definitely saving it for reference. And @Zainab Yusuf - your practical tips about taking screenshots and keeping your CA bank account open are brilliant. After reading about @GalaxyGazer's challenges with EDD's system, I want to make sure I'm extra prepared with documentation. It's incredible how supportive this community is - everyone sharing their real experiences, both the successes and the challenges, has been so valuable. I'm going to create a comprehensive moving checklist based on all the amazing advice shared here. Texas doesn't have state disability benefits like CA, so I'm really grateful I qualified here before this potential move. Thank you Zara for starting this discussion, and congratulations on your first baby! This thread is helping so many of us navigate these big decisions. 🌟

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that PFL required a separate application - my employer just handed me a stack of forms and said "figure it out" which was super overwhelming. One question I haven't seen addressed yet: if my baby comes early (like several weeks early), does that mess up the timing for when I should apply for PFL? I keep seeing everyone say to apply 1-2 weeks before SDI ends, but what if my recovery period is different than expected due to complications or an early delivery? Also, has anyone dealt with applying for PFL while still in the hospital after delivery? I'm a little worried about trying to navigate all this paperwork while recovering and adjusting to life with a newborn. Should I ask my partner to handle the application, or does it have to be done by me personally? Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - you've all made this process seem much less scary!

Just went through this exact situation with my baby born in December! You're absolutely right to be confused - the system is not intuitive at all. Here's what I learned the hard way: PFL is definitely NOT automatic after SDI. You need to file a completely separate claim using form DE2508. I almost missed this and would have had a gap in benefits if my sister hadn't warned me. My advice: Set a reminder in your phone for about 10 days before your expected SDI end date (usually around week 5-6 postpartum depending on your delivery type). The online application through your EDD account is much easier than the paper form - it took me about 25 minutes to complete. The good news is that your PFL weekly benefit amount will be exactly the same as your SDI payments, so at least that stays consistent! One thing that really helped me was calling my doctor's office during my 2-week postpartum checkup to confirm they knew when I needed to be released from disability. This prevented any delays on their end. Don't let your HR department's unhelpfulness stress you out - lots of employers don't really understand the process either. You've got this! And congrats on your upcoming arrival! 🎉

I'm in the exact same situation and it's such a relief to find this thread! My PFL claim vanished about 2 weeks ago and I've been losing sleep over it. The advice here is incredible - I had no idea about the 8 AM calling strategy or that specific email address. I'm definitely going to start that tracking spreadsheet everyone's mentioned and try the multi-pronged approach. It's insane that we have to become amateur detectives just to get updates on our own benefits, but reading all these success stories gives me hope that persistence really does work. The assemblyperson backup plan is good to know about too. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and practical solutions - this community is more helpful than the actual EDD website!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare and this thread is honestly a godsend! Filed my PFL claim about 3 weeks ago and it's like it just disappeared into thin air. The stress is unreal when you're depending on that financial support for family care needs. Reading through everyone's strategies has given me so much hope and practical steps to take. I'm putting together my action plan based on all the successful approaches shared here: • Creating that detailed tracking spreadsheet starting TODAY • Setting multiple alarms to call at exactly 8:00 AM when they open • Emailing pfl@edd.ca.gov with that specific subject line format that actually gets responses • Gathering all my original confirmation emails and documentation It's absolutely insane that we need to become private detectives and project managers just to track down benefits we've already earned and paid into. But seeing how many of you have eventually broken through this broken system gives me real confidence that persistence pays off. The assemblyperson option is definitely going in my toolkit as the nuclear option if needed. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and what actually works - this community is providing more help than the actual EDD system! I'll definitely update everyone on my progress. We've got this! 💪

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation right now! My PFL baby bonding claim has been stuck for over 2 weeks and I'm getting nowhere with the regular phone lines. After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I'm planning to try the Tuesday 8:00 AM strategy using 1-877-238-4373 with the 1-1-2 sequence. The insider tips about listening for background noise during that 3-4 second delay and using specific language like "PFL baby bonding claim stuck due to employer date issue" are game-changers I never would have known about. It's both heartbreaking and reassuring to see so many other new parents struggling with this broken system when we should be focused on bonding with our babies instead of fighting bureaucracy. Thank you everyone for sharing what actually worked - this community support gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off! Going to charge my phone, write down my questions, and commit to however many redials it takes this Tuesday morning. 🤞

I'm a new parent who just successfully got through to EDD PFL after weeks of trying! I used the Tuesday 8:00 AM strategy with 1-877-238-4373 and the 1-1-2 sequence that everyone's been recommending. It took 67 redials but I finally got through after listening for that background noise cue during the delay - that insider tip was absolutely crucial! My claim was stuck because my employer submitted the wrong transition date from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, just like so many others here. The rep was incredibly helpful and fixed it immediately - I should see payments within 5-7 business days. To anyone still struggling: download an auto-redial app, have your claim ID and baby's birth date ready, charge your phone fully, and DO NOT give up once you hear hold music no matter how long it takes. This thread gave me the exact roadmap I needed when I was desperate and overwhelmed. Thank you to everyone who shared what worked - your advice literally saved my family's financial situation! 🙏✨