Just want to echo what everyone else has said - you're absolutely in the clear regarding EDD benefits! I was in a nearly identical situation last year. I had pregnancy complications that kept me on SDI for 10 weeks, then did the full 8 weeks of PFL bonding, and ended up switching to a completely different company afterward. Like others mentioned, the state benefits are insurance that YOU paid for through your paycheck deductions. There's zero requirement to return to your previous employer to keep those benefits. I was so paranoid about this that I actually called EDD (took forever to get through!) and they confirmed that as long as your leave was legitimate - which yours clearly was - the benefits are yours regardless of where you work next. The only thing to watch out for is any employer-provided supplemental benefits. In my case, my company had topped up my state benefits to 80% of salary for part of my leave, and their policy required repayment if I didn't return for at least 60 days. But even that was only about $2,400 compared to the $15,000+ I had received from the state programs. That new job sounds amazing - a 35-minute daily commute savings plus better hours will be such a game changer with a new baby. Don't let fear of something that won't actually happen keep you from making the best choice for your family! Congratulations on your little one!

This thread has been such a relief to read! I'm currently 7 months pregnant and starting to think seriously about what life will look like after maternity leave. My current job has a pretty intense schedule and requires being in the office most days, but I've been wondering if I might want something more flexible once the baby arrives. Reading all these experiences has been so educational - I had absolutely no idea that the state benefits we receive are actually insurance we've been paying into all along! Like others have said, the insurance analogy makes it crystal clear - of course we shouldn't have to pay back benefits just because we make a career change afterward. @cb53ba43b0d6 I really hope you went with that new opportunity! A 10-minute commute vs 45 minutes sounds incredible, especially when you're dealing with all the logistics of having a baby. That's over an hour of your day back to spend with your family. I'm definitely going to review my employee handbook this week to understand any potential employer supplemental benefits and their requirements. This thread has made me realize it's so much better to know these details ahead of time rather than trying to figure it out when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn! Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of practical advice from people who've actually navigated these situations is invaluable. The government websites are so confusing, and hearing actual success stories makes all the difference for those of us trying to plan ahead!

tldr; EDD is a mess and we're all suffering. Welcome to the club 🎉

I had a similar issue where I was initially approved for only 4 weeks when I should have gotten 8. Turns out there was an error in how they calculated my benefit period. I had to submit additional documentation showing my employment history and wage records. Also, make sure you're clear about what type of PFL you're claiming - bonding vs. care for family member can have different time limits. It took about 3 weeks to get it resolved, but I eventually got the full amount I was owed. Don't let them shortchange you!

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The email verification issue is super common. Here's what I learned: even if you don't get the verification email, your benefits won't be cut off immediately. EDD usually gives you a grace period. But definitely call them ASAP - I waited too long and it caused extra headaches. When you call, ask them to read back the email address they have on file. Mine was missing a letter! Once they fixed it, the verification email came through instantly. Also, make sure to check all your email folders, not just spam. Good luck! 🍀

I had this exact issue a couple weeks ago! Turns out my email got changed somehow when I updated my address. The key is to call EDD and specifically ask them to verify what email address they have on file - mine was completely different from what I thought it was. Once they updated it to the correct email, I got the verification email within minutes. Also, don't panic about your benefits - they usually don't suspend them right away for email verification issues, but definitely don't wait too long to fix it. The wait times are brutal but it's worth getting it sorted out. Hope this helps!

Just wanted to add my voice to this discussion as someone who went through a very similar PFL nightmare last year. Reading Ellie's story brought back all those memories of stress and frustration! I had the exact same issue with specialists not returning calls for weeks. What finally worked for me was actually going to my local EDD office in person after getting nowhere on the phone. I know not everyone has an office nearby, but if you do, sometimes showing up in person can cut through the phone system delays. The staff there was able to see exactly what was holding up my claim (turned out to be a missing employer form that nobody had bothered to tell me about) and got it resolved the same day. I walked out with confirmation that payments would start processing within 48 hours. I realize this isn't possible for everyone, especially new parents who can't easily travel with a baby, but it might be worth considering if you have family who could watch the little one for a few hours. Sometimes the in-person approach works when all else fails. So glad you got everything sorted out in the end, Ellie! These threads are so valuable for helping other families navigate this broken system. Enjoy every moment of that bonding time with your baby! 💕

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's currently 7 months pregnant and starting to research PFL benefits for when my husband takes his paternity leave, I can't believe how many hoops you all have had to jump through just to get benefits you've already paid for. Ellie, I'm so relieved you finally got everything resolved! The fact that it was just an address verification issue that caused weeks of financial stress is infuriating but unfortunately seems pretty typical from what I'm reading here. I'm definitely taking notes on all the strategies everyone has shared - the main EDD number sequence, calling right at 8am, the Claimyr service for emergencies, and even the in-person office visit option. It's sad that accessing basic benefits requires this level of strategic planning, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share what actually works. The advice about doing a preemptive verification call before leave starts is brilliant - I'm definitely going to have my husband try that about a week before his planned start date. Better to catch any potential issues early than discover them when we're already counting on the income. Thank you everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and solutions. This thread is going to help so many families navigate EDD's broken system!

I went through this exact same situation in 2023! Yes, you definitely need to file a completely new PFL claim since you returned to work between your disability and baby bonding. The key thing to remember is that pregnancy disability (SDI) and baby bonding (PFL) are two separate programs, even though they're both through EDD. A few tips from my experience: - File online through your EDD account - it's much faster than paper - You'll need your baby's birth certificate as proof of relationship - Make sure your last day worked date matches what your HR will report - You can file up to 30 days before your start date, so you should be fine for next week Don't worry about the disconnected calls - EDD phone system is notorious for that. The online application is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Just make sure to select "bonding with new child" and not "caring for family member" when filling it out. Good luck!

I just went through this same process in December 2024! You absolutely need to file a new PFL claim since you returned to work between your disability and baby bonding. I was in the exact same boat - disability from September to November, back to work briefly, then wanted to take my bonding time. Here's what worked for me: File online through your EDD portal ASAP since you're starting Monday. You'll need your baby's birth certificate uploaded as proof of relationship. The application asks specifically if this is for "bonding with new child" - make sure you select that option, not caregiving. One thing that tripped me up initially - your "last day worked" should be this Friday (the day before your bonding leave starts), not the last day you worked before going back after disability. EDD is super picky about this date matching what your employer reports, so double-check with HR. The good news is they'll backpay from your actual start date once approved, even if there's a processing delay. My approval took about 8 days and I got paid for all days from when I actually started my leave. Don't stress too much - the online process is way easier than trying to get through on the phone!