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!

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.

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! 💕

Ive been dealing with this exact issue for months now. its rediculous how hard they make it to update basic info.

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!

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!

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!