UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD using Claimyr (thanks for that tip)! The agent confirmed my account had a "card issuance error" that prevented Money Network from creating my account properly. They've fixed it on their end and Money Network is overnight shipping me a card that should arrive tomorrow. For anyone else with this issue: the agent said this is happening to lots of people, especially if you had a BofA card from a previous claim. Apparently the system sometimes doesn't flag your account to create a new Money Network card. Thanks everyone for the help! What a stressful experience.

So glad you got this resolved! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my PFL payment shows as "issued" but I never received a Money Network card either. This thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm going to try the Claimyr service since calling EDD directly has been impossible. It's frustrating that this seems to be such a widespread issue with the switch from BofA to Money Network. EDD really needs to fix their communication about this change and make sure the card issuance process actually works properly!

That's great news! I'm so glad it worked out and came in on schedule. It's such a relief when the system actually works like it's supposed to, isn't it? Enjoy your baby bonding time! 💜

So happy to hear your payment came through on schedule! This thread has been super helpful - I'm currently 7 months pregnant and planning to take both disability and PFL after my baby arrives. It's reassuring to know that the transition can be smooth and that PFL includes weekends. I'm definitely bookmarking this conversation for when I need to make the switch from disability to baby bonding. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

To add some additional clarity on your specific situation: 1. Since your baby is 3.5 months old, your husband has approximately 8.5 more months to take his baby bonding leave (within the 12-month window) 2. He can take his 8 weeks consecutively or intermittently (broken up into smaller periods) as long as it's completed within the 12-month window 3. His claim form (DE2508) should include: - Copy of child's birth certificate or hospital discharge papers - His employment information - His requested leave start date (1/27/2025) 4. He should file approximately 7-10 days before his leave begins (so around January 17-20) 5. Make sure he understands the bi-weekly certification process once his claim is approved The fact that you're planning the transition from your leave to his leave is actually ideal and exactly how the system is designed to work!

Just wanted to add my experience as another data point! My partner and I did exactly what you're planning - I took my full maternity/bonding leave first, then he took his 8 weeks right after mine ended. The transition was seamless and it gave our baby continuous parental care for almost 4 months total. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple checklist for his application: - DE2508 form completed - Birth certificate copy attached - Employer contact info ready - Bank account info for direct deposit - Filing date marked on calendar (1-2 weeks before leave starts) The whole "41 day" thing definitely confused me too at first! But as others have explained, it's about when to file relative to when benefits start, not when to take leave relative to birth. You're totally fine timing-wise. Good luck with the application process!

I'm telling you, the whole system is rigged. They make it impossible to get your money on purpose. Wake up sheeple! 👀

I went through this exact same thing last month! The online portal can be really glitchy about showing deposit dates. What worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cache, and then logging back in. Sometimes it's just a display issue on their end. Also, double-check that your direct deposit info is correct in your profile - I had a friend whose payment was delayed because they had an old bank account number on file. If it's been more than 2 weeks since you filed and still nothing shows up, definitely try the phone route even though it's a pain. Hang in there!

I'm going through something similar with my grandmother who needs care after a fall. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned - make sure you check if your employer offers any additional paid family leave benefits beyond what California PFL provides. Some companies have policies that supplement the 60-70% wage replacement or provide full pay for a certain number of days. Also, since you're dealing with a stroke specifically, you might want to connect with your local Area Agency on Aging or stroke support groups. They often have resources about navigating care benefits and can sometimes help with paperwork or provide advocacy if you run into issues with EDD. The stroke recovery timeline can be unpredictable, so having all your documentation organized from the start will help if you need to extend your leave beyond the initial period. Good luck with everything!

I went through this exact situation with my mom after her stroke two years ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple daily care log from day one - just noting what assistance I provided each day (helping with medications, physical therapy exercises, meal prep, transportation to appointments, etc.). The EDD never asked for it, but having that detailed record gave me peace of mind and could have been useful if they questioned my claim. I also took photos of any adaptive equipment I helped set up in her home (grab bars, shower chair, etc.) as additional documentation of the care environment. Another tip - if your dad will need ongoing therapy appointments (PT, OT, speech), those transportation and assistance hours count toward your care time too. I didn't realize this initially and was only tracking direct personal care. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for my first payment, but it was such a relief when it finally came through. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by getting this sorted out early!