To answer your question about splitting the 8 weeks - yes, you can! Under PFL baby bonding, you can break up your 8 weeks however you want, but EDD requires each segment to be at least 1 week long. So you could do 4 weeks in July and 4 weeks in September, or even 2-2-2-2 spread out over different months within the first year after birth. Just know that each time you start a new segment, you'll need to file additional certification paperwork.

btw my quarterly payments were around $250 based on my income and I got about $1300/wk when I took the time off. totally worth it!! and yea I took my time when baby was 5mo and EDD didn't care at all

HEADS UP!!! I tried doing EXACTLY what you're planning and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! EDD is impossible to deal with for unusual situations like this. They denied my initial claim saying I wasn't available for work since I was planning to move, even though it was for my husband's job (not military tho). I appealed and eventually won but it took FOUR MONTHS to get any money!!! By then we had already moved and I had found a job in our new state. The system is BROKEN!!!! 😡😡😡

I work with military families on benefits issues, and I want to clarify a few things: 1. You are absolutely eligible for UI after SDI ends, and the military spouse provision applies to your situation. 2. Document everything! Keep a record of all communications with EDD. 3. If possible, begin your job search before your SDI ends - this strengthens your case that you're actively seeking employment. 4. Once in Virginia, you'll need to register with their workforce agency (Virginia Employment Commission) within a week of arrival, but continue to certify through California. 5. Your UI claim will be based on your California base period wages, regardless of your move. The key is proper documentation and timing. File your UI claim immediately after SDI ends, not before or with a gap. And despite what others have said, the system generally works correctly for military spouses - it just requires careful attention to the application details.

EDD makes this INTENTIONALLY CONFUSING!!! They hope you miss deadlines so they don't have to pay. I had the EXACT same issue and almost lost 3 weeks of benefits because of their unclear instructions. They NEVER explain that you need BOTH forms and the transition between disability and PFL is NOT automatic like they claim!!! ALWAYS call and confirm they received EVERYTHING even if the website says it's processed!!

Update: I found the DE2508F form through my SDI Online account and submitted it this morning along with a copy of the birth certificate. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help! I would have been completely lost without your guidance. I'll update again once I hear back from EDD about whether my application is complete now.

After you get this resolved, make sure your husband files his final certification correctly. Since you mentioned he's going back to work next week, he'll need to report his return-to-work date on his final certification. If he doesn't do this accurately, it could trigger an overpayment notice months later. The specific question is on the certification form where it asks if there was any change in your eligibility - returning to work counts as a change, and he'll need to provide the exact date.

Just wanted to update everyone - we finally got through to EDD using Claimyr this morning! The rep confirmed they received all our identity verification documents and said the system shows they were "pending review." She put a note on the account about his leave ending next week and said she'd flag it as time-sensitive. Hopefully this helps speed things up! Will update again when/if we receive payment.

Why is everyone acting like this is normal?? It's NOT normal or acceptable for the state to just stop sending money to new parents! When I had my baby in 2023, I didn't have any gap between disability and baby bonding. Something is wrong with your claim specifically. Did you file online or using paper forms? The paper forms take WAY longer.

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD today! The rep confirmed there was nothing wrong with my application, but said there's usually a 2-3 week processing period when transitioning from PDL to PFL Baby Bonding. She said my payment should be issued within the next 5 business days. For anyone else in this situation - it seems like waiting is normal (though super stressful). Thanks everyone for your advice and support!