This is such a helpful thread! I'm not pregnant yet but planning to start trying next year, and reading through everyone's experiences is making me realize I need to start researching this stuff way earlier than I thought. Question for those who've been through it - when did you start having these conversations with HR? Should I be asking about company policies now, or wait until I'm actually pregnant? I don't want to tip my hand too early but also want to be prepared! Also, does anyone know if the 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding can be split up? Like could I take 4 weeks right after my disability ends, go back to work for a bit, then take the other 4 weeks later in the year?

Just wanted to add something I learned the hard way - make sure you understand how your company calculates your SDI/PFL benefit amount! The state uses your highest quarter of earnings in the base period (which is usually 5-17 months before your claim starts), but some people don't realize this and get surprised by a lower benefit amount than expected. Also, if you've had any job changes or salary increases in the past year, it might be worth checking your earnings record with EDD to make sure everything is reported correctly. I had a small gap in my earnings record that would have reduced my benefits, but I was able to get it corrected before filing my claim. The whole system is definitely confusing but you're asking all the right questions early! That puts you way ahead of where I was. Good luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation with a newborn! The timing is absolutely awful, but I have to say I'm really impressed by how thoroughly you're approaching this whole situation. I had a similar experience in early 2024 - got laid off during my PFL period (though thankfully not on the exact day it started like you). The advice everyone has given here is spot-on, especially about getting that severance classification in writing and documenting absolutely everything. One thing I wanted to add that saved me a lot of headaches: when you file your PFL claim, there's usually a section for "additional information" or comments. I'd recommend using that space to briefly explain your situation - that you were laid off on your PFL start date, that you've confirmed severance classification with HR, etc. Having that context in your initial application can help prevent confusion or delays when EDD processes your claim. Also, since you mentioned budgeting concerns - I found it helpful to create a month-by-month financial plan showing exactly when each benefit would kick in and end. It really helped reduce my anxiety about the unknowns and made the whole situation feel more manageable. You're being so smart to ask all these questions upfront rather than figuring it out as you go. That proactive approach is going to serve you well through this whole process. Congratulations on your little one, and I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible with your benefits!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your experiences! As someone who's currently navigating PFL for the first time (though thankfully without the layoff complication), I'm bookmarking this whole conversation for reference. @Anastasia Sokolov - I'm so impressed by how proactively you're handling this awful situation. The fact that you got written confirmation from HR about your severance classification and are documenting everything shows you're really setting yourself up for success despite the terrible timing. One small thing I'd add based on my PFL experience so far - when you do your biweekly certifications, the system can be a bit glitchy sometimes. I've learned to take screenshots of each page before hitting "submit" just in case something goes wrong and I need to prove what I actually entered. Given all the complexity with your severance reporting, having that extra documentation might be worth the few extra minutes. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping documentation "forever" - my mom went through a similar benefits situation years ago and she said EDD contacted her almost 18 months later with questions, so that advice about long-term record keeping is definitely solid. Wishing you and your little one all the best through this process! You're handling an incredibly stressful situation with such grace and intelligence.

I'm going through this exact situation right now at 35 weeks! Filed my SDI claim about 10 days ago and just got approved yesterday. Based on all the helpful info in this thread, I'm expecting my first payment around April 8th-10th since my claim was processed on March 28th. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my HR department - if you're planning to take the full 12 weeks of FMLA, make sure you understand how the SDI and PFL weeks count toward that total. In California, you can get up to 4 weeks before delivery plus 6-8 weeks after delivery for SDI (depending on delivery type), then up to 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding. But FMLA only covers 12 weeks total, so if you take more than that, the additional time would be unpaid (unless your employer offers additional benefits). Just wanted to mention this since we're all planning our leave timing and budgets! The EDD payments help a lot, but it's good to know exactly how much paid time you'll have overall. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has been way more helpful than the EDD website!

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and just went through this whole process! My SDI claim was processed on February 20th and my payments have been coming every other Tuesday since then - super consistent once it got started. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually set up text alerts through the EDD website to notify you when payments are issued. It's under "Contact Preferences" in your online account. I found this really helpful because the payments usually hit my EDD debit card about 24-48 hours before I get the official email notification. Also, regarding your March 29th expected payment date - I'd say that's a reasonable estimate based on your March 15th processing date, but definitely keep backup funds ready for your April 1st mortgage. My first payment came on day 13 after processing, so you might get it March 28th or 30th instead. One last tip: if you're planning to pump/breastfeed, you can actually extend your SDI claim beyond the standard 6-8 weeks if you have medical complications or need additional recovery time. My doctor was able to extend mine by 2 weeks due to some postpartum issues. Just something to keep in mind as you get closer to delivery!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this EDD nightmare, especially with surgery coming up! The E324 error is incredibly frustrating but you've gotten some amazing advice in this thread. I went through something similar when I first moved to CA and it turned out my employer had created a partial record when they started SDI deductions. One additional tip that helped me - when you call the technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow, have your employer's EIN (Federal Tax ID) ready if you can get it from HR or your paystub. Sometimes they need that to locate and merge the phantom account created by payroll submissions. Also, since you mentioned your surgery is coming up soon, you might want to ask your doctor's office if they can start preparing the DI-398 disability certification form now, even before you have your claim number. That way they can submit it immediately once your account is sorted out. Really hoping you get this resolved quickly! This community has given you all the insider knowledge you need - you've got this! 💪

I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The E324 error is so common for new CA residents - it's like a welcome to California hazing ritual 😅 What worked for me was calling EDD's identity verification department at 1-866-401-2849. They handle cases where there are conflicts between existing records and new account creation attempts. When you get through (and yes, the wait times are brutal), explain that you're a new resident getting E324 and suspect there might be conflicting records from when your employer started SDI withholdings. They were able to see that my employer had indeed created a basic record when they started deducting SDI from my paychecks, but it wasn't a full account I could access. They cleared the conflict and I was able to file online within 24 hours. Also, pro tip: call between 2-4 PM on weekdays. Everyone calls first thing in the morning, but mid-afternoon sometimes has shorter wait times. Good luck with your surgery - you'll get this sorted out! 🙏

This thread is incredibly informative! I'm new to this community and currently navigating my first PFL claim for baby bonding leave. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been so reassuring - especially seeing @PixelWarrior's successful resolution! The detailed guidance from @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans about the correct process for extending PFL claims is exactly what I needed to understand. It's unfortunate that the system is so confusing and requires so much persistence, but knowing there are multiple approaches (SDI Online messaging, phone calls, and even services like the one @Sofia Gomez mentioned) gives me confidence that issues can be resolved. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for new parents trying to figure out these complex benefits!

As someone who's completely new to this community and the PFL system, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently expecting my first child and trying to understand all the ins and outs of paid family leave before I need to file my claim. Reading through everyone's experiences really highlights how easy it is to make mistakes with dates, but it's so reassuring to see there are clear solutions and such a supportive community here. @PixelWarrior, congratulations on your new baby and I'm so glad you were able to get everything resolved! The detailed step-by-step instructions from @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans are exactly the kind of guidance I hope I won't need but am grateful to have just in case. It's amazing how this community comes together to help navigate these complex systems. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!