Update: I finally got through to EDD this morning! They confirmed they received my bonding paperwork and that my claim is being processed. The rep said there will likely be a 7-10 day gap before my first baby bonding payment, but everything is on track. Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone!

So glad you got confirmation from EDD! That must be such a relief. I went through this same transition 6 months ago and the waiting/uncertainty is the worst part. Once you get that first bonding payment, the rest should come regularly every two weeks. The 7-10 day gap is totally normal - I think mine was about 9 days. Take advantage of this time to rest and bond with your baby without worrying about the paperwork side of things. You did everything right!

idk if this helps, but I had to send in additional medical documentation when I extended my leave. Did they ask you for anything like that?

OMG yes, I went through this exact same thing! Only got paid for 3 days out of my 6-week leave initially. It turned out there was a glitch in their system that wasn't processing the full claim period correctly. What worked for me was emailing them with my claim number and a detailed timeline of what should have been covered. I sent it to the generic PFL email address but also CC'd their customer service manager (you can find the email on their website). Got a response within 48 hours and they fixed it. Also, for extending your leave - make sure you submit the extension request at least 2 weeks before your current leave ends if possible. They're super slow with processing extensions and you don't want a gap in coverage. Hope this helps! The system is frustrating but don't give up 💪

Thank you so much for this amazing checklist! I'm going to start getting organized right away. It's so helpful to hear from someone who's been through it multiple times!

Hey Kai! I just went through this whole process last year and wanted to add a few more tips that really helped me: 1. When you create your SDI Online account, make sure to use the same email address consistently - I made the mistake of using different emails and it caused delays in getting notifications. 2. If you're planning to breastfeed, you might be eligible for additional disability time beyond the standard 6-8 weeks if you have complications. My doctor was able to extend my SDI for breastfeeding-related issues. 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - your paystubs, doctor's notes, all EDD correspondence. I had to provide documentation multiple times during my claims. 4. The weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest quarter earnings in your base period (usually 5-17 months before your claim). So if you got a raise recently, it might not be reflected in your benefit amount. 5. You can actually start collecting PFL baby bonding leave while your partner is also on their own PFL claim - both parents can take it simultaneously if needed. Hope this helps ease some of your stress! The whole process seems overwhelming at first but you've got this! 💪

Anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic support after having a baby? The whole system needs an overhaul tbh

Oh no, I feel your pain! I made the exact same mistake after my delivery. The good news is it's totally fixable, just annoying to deal with. Here's what worked for me: Call the PFL line first thing in the morning (8am sharp) - they're usually less busy then. Tell them you need to withdraw your claim due to filing error. They'll give you a confirmation number - write it down! Then immediately call the SDI line and explain the situation. The whole process took me about 3 weeks total, but I didn't lose any benefits. Just make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you refile. Your doctor should have given you the right forms for disability, not family leave. Hang in there mama, you'll get through this! ❤️

It looks like you've gotten some good advice already. One additional tip: When you do get through to EDD, ask them if there's anything specific delaying your claim. Sometimes there's a simple issue that can be resolved immediately. Also, if your claim gets approved but you need funds urgently, you can request that they expedite the payment. They don't advertise this option, but if you explain your financial hardship (needing formula and diapers certainly qualifies), they can sometimes process the payment faster than the standard timeline. Baby bonding PFL should be more straightforward than disability claims, so hopefully once you reach someone, they can resolve it quickly. Good luck!

I went through this exact same nightmare with my PFL claim earlier this year! Here's what finally worked for me: I called at exactly 8:01am on a Tuesday and kept pressing 1-2-4 (the prompts for PFL claims) over and over without hanging up. If you get the "too busy" message, immediately redial and try again. It took me about 45 minutes of constant redialing, but I finally got in the queue. Also, try calling the SDI line at (800) 480-3287 instead of the main EDD number - sometimes they can help with PFL claims too and the wait times are shorter. One more thing - check if your employer submitted the proper forms (DE 2501 and DE 2500A). Sometimes the delay is because your HR department didn't send in the paperwork EDD needs. I had to bug my HR three times before they actually submitted everything correctly. Hang in there - I know how stressful this is when you're trying to bond with your baby and worrying about money! 💙