California Paid Family Leave
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Can't reach California Paid Family Leave? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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EDD delay transitioning from PDL to PFL baby bonding - normal wait time?
I had my baby on March 3rd and my pregnancy disability leave ended on April 14th. I received paperwork in the mail about transitioning to baby bonding PFL, filled everything out, and mailed it back on April 16th. It's been almost 3 weeks now and I haven't heard ANYTHING! No confirmation, no new payments, nothing showing up in my online account. Is this normal?? With my first baby in 2021, the transition seemed much quicker. I'm getting really worried because our savings are running out fast and my husband just got his hours cut at work. Should I be calling EDD? Anyone else experience long delays for the PDL-to-PFL transition recently?
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EDD PFL benefits after interstate claim problems - can I still file retroactively?
I'm in a total mess with my PFL claim due to some interstate issues and need advice! Here's my situation: I moved from Arizona to California in late 2023, started a new job in Jan 2024, then went on maternity leave in April 2024. When I applied for PFL baby bonding benefits in California, they told me I needed to file in Arizona first since that's where some of my base period wages were from. Arizona kept bouncing me back to CA, saying I needed to file here since my recent employment was in California. I got stuck in this horrible loop between the two states for MONTHS, with neither one accepting my claim. I was getting passed around between regular PFL and some special interstate division. Filed appeals, submitted all documentation multiple times, made 30+ phone calls (literally couldn't get through most times). FINALLY, Arizona just closed their claim investigation, saying they have no jurisdiction. Now California should be able to process my claim! But here's the problem - my baby is now 8 months old, and I never received a single payment during my leave. I'm back at work and desperately need that backpay. Can I still get retroactive PFL benefits now that Arizona finally closed their claim? California EDD should have taken my claim from day one according to everything I've researched. I'm owed about 8 weeks of benefits (~$8,000) but can't get through on the phones. Am I just out of luck because of bureaucratic nonsense?
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Success update: I finally got my retroactive baby bonding PFL approved after a similar interstate nightmare (NV/CA). The key was getting through to the Interstate Claims Unit and having them flag my file. Make sure you emphasize to the EDD that the issue wasn't your fault - it was a matter of administrative confusion between states. I had to cite the specific regulation that gives CA jurisdiction (Section 2708(a) of CA Unemployment Insurance Code), and then they finally processed my claim correctly. You're absolutely entitled to those benefits even if you're back at work now. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
This gives me so much hope! Thank you for sharing your success story and the specific regulation. I'll make sure to cite that section when I talk to them. Did it take a long time from when you finally reached the right department until you got your benefits?
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at EDD today! Used the Claimyr service that someone suggested and it actually worked - got connected in about 7 minutes instead of endless redialing. The agent confirmed I can still file for retroactive benefits since I'm within the 41-week window. She transferred me to the Interstate Claims Unit, and they're sending me a special package of forms to complete. They said I need to provide: - Proof of Arizona's claim closure - Documentation of all my attempts to file - Employment verification from both states - Birth certificate - Employer's confirmation of leave dates I should receive the forms in 5-7 days, and once I submit everything with all documentation, they said it could take 2-3 weeks to process but that I'm likely eligible for the full 8 weeks of benefits I missed. Such a relief to finally have some progress! Will update again when I know more.
That's fantastic news! Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them. I also recommend sending it via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The Interstate Claims Unit is much better at handling these complex cases than the general representatives. Wishing you a smooth process from here!
Need help switching from SDI to PFL for baby bonding - stuck in transition limbo!
I'm totally confused about how to stop my disability claim and start baby bonding! I had my baby 5 weeks ago and my doctor released me from disability yesterday. I want to start my 8 weeks of bonding leave now, but I have no idea what to do next. Do I just stop certifying for disability? Do I need to file something special for the transition? The EDD website is so vague and my HR person is out of the office this week. I tried calling EDD but after 2 hours on hold, I got disconnected 😭 Has anyone gone through this transition recently? What specifically do I need to do to make sure I don't mess up my benefits?
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im sooo confused by all this! i thought pregancy disability and baby bonding were the SAME THING?? im 7 months pregnant and now im worried. do i need to file for disability first and THEN bonding leave later?? this is my first baby and i have no clue whats going on!! help!!
They're two separate benefits in California. First, you can claim State Disability Insurance (SDI) typically 4 weeks before birth through 6-8 weeks after birth (depending on delivery type). Then after your doctor releases you from disability, you can claim Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding for 8 weeks. Both use the same online system, but require separate applications. You'll likely file for disability first before your due date, then baby bonding after recovery.
UPDATE: I followed the advice here and successfully filed my PFL claim today! For anyone who finds this thread later - here's exactly what I did: 1. Completed my final disability certification and marked "able to return to work" 2. Logged into SDI Online and clicked "New Claim" 3. Selected PFL and baby bonding 4. Entered my baby's info and uploaded hospital discharge papers (they're letting me submit birth certificate later) 5. The start date for PFL was automatically set to the day after my disability ended Thanks everyone for your help! The EDD system is incredibly confusing but I think I've got it figured out now.
Great update! One more tip - save screenshots of your confirmation page and claim number. Sometimes claims seem to disappear from the system during processing and having that evidence is super helpful.
Transitioning from pregnancy disability to PFL baby bonding - automatic or do I need to file?
Hi everyone! First time mom here and I'm a bit confused about the EDD process. I'm currently receiving DI payments for my pregnancy (baby arrived 2 weeks ago - yay!) and I just got a message in my EDD inbox about PFL. Does anyone know if I automatically get transitioned to PFL baby bonding when my pregnancy disability ends? Or do I need to file a separate claim? I checked the FAQs on the EDD website but I'm still not 100% clear if I need to do anything specific. My last DI payment should be coming in about 4 weeks and I don't want to miss out on any benefits or have a gap between payments. Thanks in advance for any help!
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btw my sister had her baby right before thanksgiving and she said they did actually transition her automatically. so maybe they changed the system? she didn't have to file anything new she said.
This is actually a common misunderstanding. What likely happened is that EDD sent her the pre-filled DE2508 form electronically, she completed it quickly online without realizing it was a separate form (since much of the information is pre-filled), and then her benefits continued seamlessly. The system has not changed - you still need to complete and submit the DE2508 form, but the process can feel "automatic" if everything goes smoothly and you complete the electronic form right away.
Update: Thank you all SO much for your help! I found the form in my EDD inbox (it was labeled "PFL Bonding Transition" which is why I missed it at first). I've submitted the DE2508 online through my SDI account. The rep confirmed my disability ends on March 20th and my baby bonding should start March 21st with no gap if I've done everything correctly. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!
Dont get ur hopes up. Watch ur account like a hawk and call the SECOND there's any issue. The EDD is a nightmare.
Sounds like you're all set! Just keep an eye on your account after your disability ends to make sure the PFL payments start as scheduled. Enjoy this special time with your little one!
EDD payment gap between extended SDI and PFL baby bonding - will I get paid?
I'm freaking out about my finances right now! My original SDI pregnancy disability return to work date was June 14, 2025, but my doctor just extended it to June 29 due to complications from my C-section. I haven't received ANY payment since May 30th (it's now June 12). There's this weird gap and I don't know if I'm supposed to get another SDI payment before my baby bonding PFL kicks in? Or am I just stuck without income for almost 2 weeks?? My rent is due and I can't get through to anyone at EDD on the phone. Has anyone dealt with this payment gap between extended disability and starting PFL?
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i had the exact same issue!!!!!!! my doctor extended my leave by 3 weeks and i didnt get paid for like a month it was a NIGHTMARE!!!! edd is the worst with pregnancy stuff, they act like pregnancy complications are some huge surprise lol. they backpaid me eventually but not til after i was late on my car payment :
Update: I used Claimyr this morning and got connected to an EDD agent in about 10 minutes! The agent confirmed my doctor's extension was received but stuck in processing. She manually approved it and said I should see the payment in 24-48 hours. She also helped me file my PFL claim for baby bonding so there won't be a gap when the disability ends. Thank you everyone for your help!
That's great news! Glad you got it sorted so quickly. The payment system is so frustrating but at least there are ways to get through to actual humans who can help.
Ethan Clark
UPDATE: I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended below, and got through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. She told me they received my paperwork but it was flagged for "additional review" because my employer reported a different PDL end date than what my doctor submitted. She was able to verify everything and pushed it through! Said I should see payment in 3-5 business days. Such a relief!
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Carmen Ruiz
That's great news! This is exactly why calling is so important when there are delays. There's often some small discrepancy that can be resolved quickly but will cause indefinite delays if you don't bring it to their attention.
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Zoe Alexopoulos
So glad you got it sorted out! It's crazy how often these little issues come up that they never bother to communicate to us.
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StarStrider
Pro tip for anyone reading this thread later: If you're pregnant and planning to transition from PDL to baby bonding, call your employer's HR department BEFORE submitting your PFL paperwork. Make sure they have the correct end date for your disability claim, and get it in writing if possible. So many of these delays happen because employers and doctors submit conflicting dates.
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Andre Lefebvre
I wish I'd known this before! My transition was delayed 6 weeks because my doctor put my return-to-work date as the day after my C-section recovery (8 weeks) but my company somehow had it as 6 weeks. The EDD system just got stuck in limbo because of the conflicting info.
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