To answer your follow-up question - yes, both parents can take bonding leave simultaneously! Each eligible parent gets their own 8 weeks of PFL bonding benefits, and you can overlap if you choose to. There's no requirement to take them sequentially. Many families choose to have some overlap in the beginning when having an extra set of hands is most helpful, and then stagger the remaining time to extend the total period a parent is home with the baby. Just remember that you both need to file separate claims. Your wife would transition from her pregnancy disability (if she takes that) to her bonding time, while you would transition from caregiving to your bonding time.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to EDD. I had to resubmit my wife's medical certification twice because they claimed they never received it the first time. Also, if you're planning to breastfeed/pump, you might want to look into whether your employer has lactation accommodation requirements under CA law - it's separate from PFL but good to know about for when you return to work. The whole process can feel overwhelming but you've got this! Congratulations on your upcoming addition to the family! 💕

Quick update - payment finally came through today! It took exactly 12 business days from filing. The EDD rep I spoke with (finally got through after using the 8am trick) said they're currently processing most baby bonding claims in 10-14 business days, so right on schedule I guess. And yes, it came on a debit card even though I selected direct deposit. Thanks everyone for the help and advice!

Congrats on your baby girl and glad to hear your payment finally came through! That's really helpful to know the actual timeline. I'm curious - when you called using the 8am trick, how long were you on hold before speaking to someone? And did the EDD rep mention anything about why some claims get flagged for additional review? I'm expecting my second child in a few months and want to be prepared for the PFL process this time around.

Oof, sounds rough buddy. Hang in there! 🤞

I went through something similar last month! The confusion between EDD and SDI is super common. Just to add to what others have said - when you call SDI, make sure you have your Social Security number and any claim numbers handy. Also, if you're dealing with a pay dispute specifically, you might want to ask about filing a formal appeal in writing too. Sometimes having a paper trail helps move things along faster. Good luck and don't give up! 💪

Hang in there OP! I know the waits tough, but itll be worth it when that first payment hits ur account. Sending good vibes ur way! ✨

I just went through this process last month! Mine took exactly 3 weeks from the date my claim was approved. Make sure you're checking the right date - it's not from when you first applied, but from when EDD actually approves your claim (you'll get a notice). Also, if you haven't already, sign up for text alerts on your EDD account - they'll notify you when payments are processed. The first payment usually covers your waiting week plus the current week, so it might be a bit bigger than expected. Good luck!

Thank you all SO MUCH for the helpful responses! I've got a doctor's appointment Friday and now I know to ask specifically for the partial SDI certification on the DE2501 form. Will also try Claimyr to speak with an EDD rep directly. I'm relieved to know there's actually a benefit available - my HR person made it sound like I just had to deal with the unpaid time off forever. I'll update once I get everything submitted!

Good luck with your appointment Friday! One more tip - if your doctor seems hesitant about the partial disability certification, you can mention that California specifically allows for "part-time work" while on SDI as long as your earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount. Some doctors worry they're committing fraud by certifying someone as disabled who's still working, but partial SDI is totally legitimate and designed exactly for situations like yours. Also, don't forget to ask about backdating your claim - you might be able to recover some of those unpaid hours from recent weeks if your doctor can certify that your condition required reduced hours during that period.