Just to add a bit more information - the process should work like this: 1. Your pregnancy disability claim (SDI) ends on your doctor-certified date 2. EDD closes out that claim in their system (1-3 business days) 3. The system automatically generates a PFL application email 4. You complete the PFL application for baby bonding 5. EDD processes your PFL claim (typically 5-7 business days) 6. Your first PFL payment is issued For 2025, the weekly benefit amount for your PFL should be the same as what you received for SDI (60-70% of your wages, depending on your income level). And as I mentioned, payments can be retroactive to avoid gaps in coverage. If by some chance you don't receive the email at all, you can also initiate a PFL claim by calling EDD directly or using their online portal under the "New Claim" option. But it's generally easier to use the email link when it arrives.

congrats on your baby! i remember being sooo confused by all this edd stuff with my first. try not to stress too much (easier said than done i know lol). the money always comes eventually even if edd makes it complicated.

Quick update on California unemployment eligibility for this situation: As of 2025, EDD has actually been more lenient about commute-related quits, especially for parents returning from leave. The 2024 policy update clarified that a "substantial change in working conditions" includes significant increases in commute time/distance that create undue hardship for parents of young children. The current guideline is that a commute increase of 30+ minutes each way can potentially qualify as good cause for voluntary separation, particularly when childcare is involved. Your 5-minute to 45-minute/2-hour change certainly meets this threshold. Make sure to specify on your application that this was a "employer-initiated substantial change in working conditions" rather than just selecting "quit.

Has anyone actually calculated what this would cost her? Let's do the math: - $25 Uber each way = $50/day - Babysitting for 12 hours at even just $15/hr = $180/day - Total daily cost: $230 Assuming you make $25/hr (which is good pay), that's $200/day before taxes. You'd literally be PAYING to go to work! Even with bus transportation: - Bus fare (let's say $5 each way) = $10/day - Babysitting for 12 hours at $15/hr = $180/day - Total daily cost: $190 This is clearly an untenable situation. Document everything, but don't feel guilty about quitting. No reasonable person would expect someone to work under these conditions.

One additional point: when you file for PFL, there may be a question asking if you're receiving or have applied for other benefits including UI. Answer this honestly - yes, you were on UI but are stopping to switch to PFL. This helps prevent any flags in their system about potential dual benefits claims.

Also don't forget that PFL is only 8 weeks for baby bonding!!! My husband thought it was 12 weeks but that's only if ur job has CFRA protection (which he didn't since his company was too small). The 8 weeks went by SOO fast 😭

When I had my baby last spring my benefits were delayed by almost 3 weeks just because of a small error I made on the form. I checked box 6 instead of box 7 or something ridiculous like that. Have you tried checking your claim status online? Sometimes there's a message about what's missing.

Just wanted to follow up - did you have any luck getting through to EDD? One other thing to consider: sometimes the delay happens because they're recalculating your benefit amount. If your wages changed at all during your base period, they have to recalculate for the PFL portion even if you had the same employer throughout disability and baby bonding.

Since some people are asking about the transition from Pregnancy Disability to Baby Bonding PFL, here's what you need to know: 1. Your Pregnancy Disability claim (SDI) and Baby Bonding (PFL) are two separate claims 2. You need to file your PFL claim AFTER your SDI claim ends, but don't wait more than 41 days after birth 3. Use form DE2501F for disability and DE2508 for PFL 4. The online portal often shows claim status incorrectly during transitions 5. Money Network deposits can happen even when the portal shows "pending" When transitioning, if the website shows no updates after 10 business days from submission, call EDD directly at 833-978-2511 to verify your status rather than assuming there's a problem.

im having this weird issue where my pfl claim says completed on the website but i dont have any card. how do i even get the money network card? nobody told me about this part lol my baby is 6 weeks old and im so confused