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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I'm a new member here and currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you to everyone who shared such detailed experiences and advice! I was seriously considering doing some part-time bookkeeping work during my upcoming PFL leave, thinking it would be manageable with a "flexible" schedule, but after reading all these responses I realize I was completely underestimating the reality of newborn care. The explanation about dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction was a real wake-up call - I hadn't understood that working would essentially cancel out the financial benefit of PFL. Combined with the risk of EDD viewing regular work as inconsistent with bonding purposes, it's just not worth it. I'd rather follow the rules properly and avoid any potential audit issues or benefit repayments. I'm definitely going to look into WIC, CalFresh, and local assistance programs instead. My partner and I are also planning to meal prep and stock up on essentials before the baby arrives, based on the great suggestions here. It sounds like those 12 weeks are going to be much more intense and precious than I originally thought - I want to be fully present for bonding rather than stressed about work deadlines. Thanks to this community for helping me make an informed decision. Better to be financially cautious for a few months than risk serious consequences down the road!
Welcome to the community and congratulations on your pregnancy! You've definitely made the smart choice after reading through everyone's experiences. As someone new here who's been following this whole discussion, I'm really impressed by how much practical wisdom has been shared. The bookkeeping work might seem "flexible" now, but you're absolutely right that the dollar-for-dollar reduction makes it pointless financially, and the stress of managing client expectations while learning to care for a newborn just isn't worth it. Your plan to meal prep and stock up beforehand sounds perfect - so many people mentioned how helpful that preparation was. I love that you're viewing those 12 weeks as "intense and precious" time rather than just a break from work. That perspective shift really shows you understand what PFL bonding leave is actually meant for. Wishing you the best as you prepare for this exciting new chapter!
I'm a new community member and currently expecting my first child in May. This discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I was actually considering doing some remote customer service work during my PFL leave, thinking it would be simple enough to manage from home, but after reading through everyone's real experiences, I've completely changed my mind. The key points that convinced me: 1. The dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction makes it financially pointless 2. EDD's focus on the "bonding purpose" could lead to serious consequences if they determine you're not truly dedicating time to your newborn 3. Multiple parents confirming that newborns are way more demanding and unpredictable than expected I had no idea about all the assistance programs available - WIC, CalFresh, diaper banks, community center resources. This seems like a much better approach than risking PFL violations. I'm also going to follow the advice about meal prepping and stocking up on supplies before the baby arrives. Thank you to everyone who shared their honest experiences and practical advice. This thread has probably saved me from making a costly mistake! It's clear that those 12 weeks should be treated as sacred bonding time, not an opportunity to multitask with work.
Welcome to the community and congratulations on your upcoming arrival in May! You've summarized the key points perfectly - I think this thread has really helped clarify why working during PFL bonding leave just isn't worth the risks or stress. Customer service work especially would be challenging since you'd need to be "on" and professional for customers while potentially dealing with a crying baby or exhaustion from night feedings. Your three key takeaways really capture the essence of what everyone has been sharing here. I'm so glad you learned about all those assistance programs too - it's amazing how many resources exist that new parents don't know about! The meal prep strategy seems to be a game-changer based on what others have said. You're absolutely right about treating those 12 weeks as sacred bonding time. Focus on enjoying that precious period with your little one - the work opportunities will be there when you're ready for them later!
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Hi Dylan! Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! 🎉 I'm currently pregnant and due in a few months, so this thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me too. I had absolutely no idea that the transition from SDI to PFL wasn't automatic - my employer's benefits coordinator never mentioned this crucial detail! Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that EDD really needs to improve their communication about this process. It seems like such a common source of confusion for new parents who are already dealing with so much. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and will be sure to file my separate PFL application when the time comes. Thank you for asking this question - you've probably saved dozens of other expecting parents from making the same mistake! Hope your DE2508 application processes smoothly and you get to enjoy those precious 8 weeks of bonding time with your little one. 💕
Hi Abby! You're so smart to be researching this ahead of time - I wish I had done the same! It's honestly shocking how many of us have been caught off guard by this non-automatic transition. Definitely save this thread because the advice here is gold. One thing I'd suggest is maybe reaching out to your employer's benefits coordinator again and specifically asking about the SDI to PFL transition process - they might have more detailed info now that you know what questions to ask. I'm so glad my confusion ended up helping other expecting parents! That makes all the stress worth it. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! 💕
Dylan, first off congratulations on your baby girl! 🎉 I'm so glad you asked this question because I was literally in the exact same boat just 3 months ago. Everyone here is absolutely right - you MUST file a separate PFL application using the DE2508 form. It's not automatic at all, which is honestly ridiculous given how overwhelming everything is with a newborn! I almost made the same mistake of just waiting for something to happen automatically. Thankfully I found some helpful folks online who steered me in the right direction. The key things: log into your SDI Online account, find the DE2508 form, and make sure your PFL start date is the day after your last SDI payment ended. Have all your baby's birth info ready before you start the application - it'll save you from having to stop mid-way through like I did! One thing that really helped me was taking a screenshot of my confirmation number immediately after submitting. Also, don't stress if there's a few days delay in processing - it's totally normal. Those 8 weeks of bonding time are absolutely precious and so worth getting this paperwork sorted out properly. You've got this mama! 💕
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Hi Henrietta! Congratulations on your pregnancy! 🎉 I'm new to this community but wanted to share some insights since I recently navigated the SDI process as a government employee (federal, but similar benefits situation). One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you might want to ask your county about their "integration" policy with SDI. Some government employers will supplement your SDI payments using your accrued sick/vacation time to bring you closer to your full salary during leave. Not all do this, but it's worth asking since you mentioned being worried about making rent. Also, when you apply tomorrow, double-check that your employer information is exactly as it appears on your paystubs - any discrepancies can delay processing. And definitely save/screenshot your confirmation number like others mentioned! The process is definitely overwhelming, especially as a first-time parent, but you're asking all the right questions. Everyone here has given such solid advice. One small addition: consider setting up direct deposit for your SDI payments during the application process if you can - it's faster than waiting for checks in the mail. Best of luck with your application tomorrow! This community is such a great resource for support during this confusing process. 💪
Hi Liam! Thanks for the congratulations and welcome to the community! That's a really great point about asking my county about their integration policy - I had no idea that was even a thing! I definitely need to ask HR about supplementing SDI with my accrued time since I do have quite a bit saved up. And you're absolutely right about double-checking the employer information matches my paystubs exactly - I can see how even small discrepancies could cause delays when you're already stressed about timing. The direct deposit tip is smart too - definitely don't want to be waiting around for checks in the mail when I need the income! Thanks for all the practical advice, especially coming from someone in government work who understands the similar benefits situation. This community really has been incredible for getting real-world guidance! 🙏
Hi Henrietta! Welcome to the community! 🎉 I'm new here too but just went through this exact process 6 months ago as a county employee with my first baby. One thing that really helped me that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - when you apply for SDI tomorrow, make sure you answer the questions about whether you plan to return to work very carefully. Since you don't qualify for FMLA job protection yet, being clear about your intent to return can be important for your county's records. Also, I'd recommend calling your county's benefits office (not HR) if they have a separate one. Sometimes the benefits specialists are way more knowledgeable about SDI than regular HR staff. They might also know about any county-specific programs that could help supplement your income. Quick tip for the application: when it asks about your last day worked, make sure that matches exactly what you told your supervisor/HR. Any discrepancies can cause delays in processing. The anxiety about money is so real - I was stressed about the same things! But once you get through the initial application and get your first payment, the process becomes much more predictable. You're being so smart to get organized ahead of time rather than scrambling at the last minute like I did! Good luck tomorrow! Feel free to update us on how it goes - this community is amazing for ongoing support! 💕
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Just wanted to add another resource that really helped me when I was navigating unemployment after maternity leave - the California Work and Family Coalition has a helpline (1-877-WORK-FAM) specifically for parents dealing with workplace issues related to pregnancy and family leave. They can provide guidance on both the unemployment process and your potential legal rights. Also, when you do apply for unemployment, make sure to save screenshots of every page of your application before submitting - EDD's system sometimes has glitches and having those screenshots saved me when I had to prove I submitted everything correctly. One more practical tip: start gathering your employment records now (pay stubs, tax forms, etc.) because EDD will need your earnings history to calculate your benefit amount. Having everything ready ahead of time will make the application process much smoother. You're handling this situation really well by asking the right questions and planning ahead - that proactive approach is going to make all the difference!
Thank you so much for sharing that helpline number - I had no idea there was a specific resource for parents dealing with workplace pregnancy issues! That sounds like it could be incredibly helpful for getting guidance on both the unemployment and legal aspects of my situation. I'm definitely going to call them this week. The tip about taking screenshots of every page during the application process is also really smart - I've heard so many horror stories about EDD's system glitches, and having proof of what I submitted could save me a lot of headaches later. I've already started gathering my pay stubs and employment documents, but your reminder to get everything organized ahead of time is spot on. The last thing I want is to be scrambling for paperwork when I'm trying to submit my application before my PFL ends. It's amazing how much practical wisdom has been shared in this thread - every tip helps make this overwhelming situation feel more manageable!
I'm so sorry you're going through this - what an awful situation to be in with a new baby! From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you definitely have solid options for transitioning to unemployment after your PFL ends. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if your employer offered you COBRA health insurance continuation when they terminated you. If they didn't provide proper COBRA notices while you were on protected leave, that could be another violation. Also, while you're gathering all your documentation, make sure to include any paperwork about your pregnancy disability leave approval - this helps establish the timeline of protected leave for both EDD and any potential legal case. The fact that so many people here have successfully navigated similar situations is really encouraging. You're asking all the right questions and being so proactive about understanding your options. That approach is going to serve you well as you work through this challenging time!
That's a really important point about COBRA! I honestly hadn't even thought about the health insurance aspect of all this. You're absolutely right that if they didn't provide proper COBRA notices while I was on protected leave, that could be another issue to look into. I'll definitely add that to my list of things to discuss when I call that helpline Maya mentioned. I do have all my pregnancy disability leave approval paperwork saved, so I'll make sure to include that in my documentation timeline. It's crazy how many different angles there are to consider with this situation - employment law, unemployment benefits, health insurance, potential discrimination claims. I'm so grateful for everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise here. What started as my panicked question has turned into this incredible resource with so much actionable advice. I'm feeling much more prepared and confident about tackling each piece of this puzzle now!
Yuki Tanaka
Also remind your son that when he activates the card, he should create a unique PIN - not something obvious like a birth date or 1234. And he should NOT keep the PIN written down anywhere near the card. That's another way fraud happens. When the money transfers to his regular bank, it'll be much safer than sitting on that EDD card.
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NeonNomad
Congratulations on becoming a grandparent! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation when my daughter had her baby bonding leave approved last year. The fraud concerns are 100% real - I personally witnessed horror stories in this community and decided to be proactive. Here's what worked perfectly for us: As soon as her EDD card arrived, we immediately set up automatic transfers through the Bank of America EDD portal (NOT the EDD website). The setup takes maybe 10 minutes and then it's completely hands-off. Every time a payment hits the card, it automatically moves to her checking account within 1-2 business days. I also highly recommend your son: - Set up mobile alerts with his regular bank for deposits over $100 - Keep the physical card in a safe place even after transfers are set up (he'll need it to access the BofA portal later) - Never write down his PIN anywhere The peace of mind is worth it! With a newborn, the last thing he needs is dealing with fraud recovery. Better to spend 10 minutes setting up transfers than potentially months fighting to get stolen money back.
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