
California Paid Family Leave
CommunityGovernment Services


Ask the community...
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with my phone number for some important calls. I keep trying to use a different number, but the system won't let me change it. Has anyone else run into this issue? Any advice on how to update my contact info?
My husband works in roofing and is typically laid off every winter (January-March) due to bad weather. He usually files for unemployment during these months. But this year we're expecting our first baby on January 15th, 2025! We're trying to figure out the best strategy for him. Can he collect UI for a week or two until the baby arrives, then switch to PFL (or is it SDI?) for baby bonding, and then go back on UI if there's still time left in the slow season? I'm confused about how these benefits work together. His employer already knows he'll need time off when the baby comes, but we're trying to maximize his benefits. Has anyone navigated this seasonal worker + new baby situation before? TIA!
Just wanted to add. My hubby took the PFL for our baby back in 2023 and said it was the best decision ever. Hes also seasonal landscaper and deals with UI every year. Just do the PFL its way better pay then UI anyway lol
Congratulations on your upcoming baby! I went through something very similar with my partner who works in HVAC and gets laid off every winter. Here's what worked for us: We actually had him start PFL immediately when our baby was born rather than trying to squeeze in those extra UI weeks beforehand. The reason is that PFL pays significantly more than UI (60-70% of wages vs UI's weekly maximum of around $450), so financially it made more sense. The key things that helped us: - Applied for PFL online the day after our baby was born - Made sure to stop all UI certifications before the PFL start date - Kept all documentation from the hospital for proof - When he went back to UI after his 8 weeks, we had his employer write a brief letter confirming he was still on seasonal layoff The whole process took about 2 weeks to get the first PFL payment, but there were no gaps between benefits. EDD actually handles seasonal worker + PFL situations pretty routinely since it's so common in construction trades. One tip: make sure he has his EDD customer account number from his UI claim when applying for PFL - it helps speed up processing! Good luck with everything!
My husband started a new job last October 2023 after being unemployed for about 8 months. We're having our first baby in April 2024 and I'm trying to figure out if he'll qualify for Paid Family Leave for baby bonding. His work offers paternity leave but it's unpaid, so we really need the EDD benefit. Does anyone know if 6 months of work history is enough to qualify? His job pays well but we've been catching up on bills from his unemployment period so we NEED this to work out. Also, does he have to use all his vacation days before PFL kicks in? His HR person wasn't very helpful.
Congrats on the baby btw!!!! April is such a nice time for a baby, their birthday will always be in spring with nice weather for parties :
Just wanted to add that if your husband's employer participates in the Voluntary Plan Program (VPP), he might get benefits through them instead of directly from EDD. Check with HR to see if they have their own SDI/PFL program - some companies offer better benefits than the state program! Also, make sure he's been paying into SDI on his paystubs (should see "CASDI" deduction) - without those deductions, he won't qualify for PFL benefits regardless of work history.
Hey everyone, I'm expecting a baby soon and I want to get a head start on the child bonding claim process. Is it possible to begin before the baby is born? What documents and information do I need to gather? Any advice would be really appreciated!
pro tip: if ur employer has an HR portal, check there for any forms or info specific to your company. some places have their own processes on top of the state requirements
This is such great timing for this question! I just went through this process a few months ago. One thing I'd add is to also check if your state has an online portal where you can start the application - it made things way smoother for me. Also, don't forget to ask your doctor's office about getting the medical certification forms early. Some offices are super slow with paperwork, so giving them a heads up can save you stress later. Good luck with your little one! ๐
Hi everyone, I'm facing an unexpected situation and hoping someone can help with PFL advice. My adult nephew (27) who has significant developmental disabilities just moved in with me rather suddenly after his previous living arrangement fell through. I need to take some time off work to help him get settled, find appropriate day programs, and set up medical care in our area. Has anyone used Paid Family Leave for a similar situation with an adult family member who has disabilities? I'm not his legal guardian but I am his only available family support right now. Would this qualify under the caregiving portion of PFL or is that only for people with serious health conditions? Not sure if this counts as "bonding" since he's an adult. Any experience with this type of situation would be super helpful!
Update: I talked to an EDD representative (finally!) and got some clear answers. Since my nephew has a documented developmental disability that requires care, and since I'll be helping with his medical appointments, medication management, and daily living needs during this transition, I DO qualify for PFL caregiving benefits. I need his doctor to complete the medical certification detailing what specific care he needs from me. The rep confirmed I can take up to 8 weeks, either all at once or broken up over a 12-month period. This is such a relief as it will give us time to get appropriate support services in place. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
That's great news! Make sure you have your own documentation of all the care you're providing in case they request additional information. I kept a simple log of medical appointments, medication assistance, and other care activities during my leave, which really helped when they called to verify my claim.
Congratulations on getting that sorted out! Your situation really highlights how important it is to understand that PFL caregiving isn't just for traditional "sick" family members - developmental disabilities absolutely qualify when ongoing care is needed. One tip for others in similar situations: when the doctor fills out the medical certification, ask them to be as specific as possible about the types of assistance needed (medication reminders, transportation to appointments, supervision for safety, etc.). The more detailed the medical provider is about why family care is necessary, the smoother the approval process tends to go. Your nephew is lucky to have you stepping up during this transition. Setting up those support services can be overwhelming but PFL gives you the breathing room to do it right!
Nathan Dell
Ive been dealing with this exact issue for months now. its rediculous how hard they make it to update basic info.
0 coins
Mei Lin
I had this same problem last month! What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache and cookies, then trying again. Also make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might be interfering with the form submission. If that doesn't work, try using a different browser entirely - sometimes the site just doesn't play nice with certain browsers. Let me know if you need help with the cache clearing steps!
0 coins