Just to add one more important tip: when your doctor's office submits the paperwork, ask them to provide you with a copy AND confirm whether they'll be handling the "continuing certifications" that may be required by EDD. Some medical offices only submit the initial form but expect patients to handle the rest. This trips up a lot of new moms because the EDD may request additional certifications, especially for claims that extend beyond the standard 6-8 weeks postpartum.

I just went thru this whole process and gave birth 3 months ago. Honestly the hardest part was transitioning from pregnancy disability to baby bonding! Nobody tells you that you have to CALL to close out your disability claim before the baby bonding will process. I just kept checking online wondering why my PFL claim was stuck pending for weeks. Finally figured it out and got backpaid but it was so stressful with a newborn!

There's a one-week unpaid waiting period for UI. For the transitions between programs, nothing is automatic - she must actively apply for each program. Here's the timeline I recommend: 1. Last day of work: Apply for UI immediately 2. Week 1: Unpaid waiting week 3. Weeks 2-7+: Collect UI while looking for work 4. 4 weeks before due date: Have doctor complete DE2501 for disability 5. Submit disability claim (SDI) and STOP certifying for UI 6. Collect SDI for 4 weeks before birth + 6-8 weeks after (depending on delivery type) 7. 1-2 weeks before disability ends: Apply for PFL using DE2508 8. Collect PFL for 8 weeks of baby bonding The most common mistake is waiting too long between steps 6 and 7, which creates a gap in benefits.

Just to add one more consideration: if your daughter-in-law receives any severance pay, this may affect her UI benefits. Severance is typically considered income during the weeks it covers, which can reduce or eliminate UI benefits for those weeks. Regarding health insurance: If COBRA is too expensive, as you mentioned, she should immediately check her eligibility for Covered California. Loss of employer coverage is a qualifying life event that allows mid-year enrollment. With her being pregnant and soon without income, she may qualify for significant subsidies or even Medi-Cal coverage. Finally, document EVERYTHING during this process - save all confirmation numbers, take screenshots of submitted forms, and note the names of any EDD representatives she speaks with.

my intrvw was quick. like 15 min. they just wanted 2 make sure i wasnt commiting fraud lol. i had my kid with me for the zoom call and that seemed 2 help prove i was actually bonding w/her. bring ur kid if u can!!

After your interview, be sure to request a written summary of their findings. If there's any determination that benefits were paid incorrectly, you have 30 days to appeal. Document everything discussed in the interview - take detailed notes or record it if they allow (California is a two-party consent state, so you must inform them and get permission). Also make sure to differentiate between regular PFL and any pandemic-specific programs, as the eligibility requirements varied. If your wife received regular PFL for baby bonding, the focus will be on verifying she was actually caring for your child during that period.

Great news! Glad you got through and got it resolved. The 7-10 days is pretty standard for their check processing, in my experience.

Fingers crossed it comes on the sooner end! Thanks again for your help.

oh also make sure he put the right bank info for direct deposit! my friend's husband had his deposit rejected because he put the wrong account number and it delayed everything by another 2 weeks!

To follow up on the certification question you asked earlier - for PFL bonding claims, there's usually just one certification at the beginning, not ongoing certifications like with unemployment or disability. The initial certification should have been part of his application (DE 2501F form). Once approved, payments are generally made all at once for consecutive weeks of leave, unless he specifically requested intermittent bonding. If his claim is approved, he'll get a Notice of Computation in the mail showing his weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount. The direct deposit should follow shortly after approval.