Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the EDD maze before - definitely try the early morning calling strategy that others mentioned, but also consider reaching out through their "Contact EDD" form on the website if you haven't already. Sometimes the written requests get routed to a different department that can actually help. I had a similar date issue with my disability claim last year and the online form worked when phone calls didn't. Also, if you have any family or friends who've successfully navigated EDD issues, ask them to walk you through exactly what they said on their successful calls. Having the right "script" can make a huge difference with getting past the first level of customer service. Hang in there - it's frustrating but definitely fixable! 💪

I work for a benefits consulting firm and see this exact issue ALL the time with EDD PFL claims. Here's what's likely happening: when you submitted your claim online, there was probably a glitch where only the start date got properly saved to their system, not the end date. This creates a "one day" claim instead of your full leave period. The good news is this is 100% fixable once you get someone competent on the phone. My advice: 1) Call at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - you'll have the best chance of getting through, 2) Have your claim number, Social Security number, and exact leave dates ready, 3) Specifically ask them to verify BOTH your start AND end dates in their system, 4) If they see the issue, ask for immediate correction and a timeline for back payment, 5) Get a reference number for the correction. If the first person can't help, politely ask for a supervisor. This should be resolved within one call if you get the right person. Don't let them tell you to wait - this is their system error, not yours!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! EDD denied my PFL claim saying I filed late, but like you, my SDI was already approved. It's so frustrating because you'd think if one part of the system approved it, the other would too. I've been trying to get through to someone for weeks but keep getting stuck in phone hell. Has anyone had luck with the appeal process, or is it better to just keep calling until you get someone who actually understands the system? The whole thing feels like they're set up to deny claims on technicalities rather than actually help parents who need support during bonding time.

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago! The disconnect between SDI approval and PFL denial is unfortunately pretty common - it's like they're operating in completely different worlds. Here's what finally worked for me: I gathered all my SDI approval documentation, wrote out a clear timeline with exact dates (baby's birth, when I started leave, when I filed each claim, when I returned to work), and kept calling until I got someone who could access both systems. The magic words that seemed to help were "I need someone who can explain why SDI approved my dates but PFL denied them for the same time period." It took about 5 calls, but I eventually got a specialist who could see the inconsistency and fixed it on the spot. The whole thing was resolved within a week once I got the right person. Don't give up - your SDI approval is basically proof that your timeline and eligibility are valid!

Just checking back - were you able to contact EDD? What did they say about your PFL transition?

So glad you got it resolved! It's crazy how a simple typo on their end can hold up benefits for weeks when you have a new baby to care for. This is exactly why it's so important to call and check - there could be any number of small administrative issues causing delays that you'd never know about otherwise. Thanks for updating us with the outcome, it'll definitely help other parents going through the same stressful situation!

Hey Malik! Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 I just went through this exact situation with my husband who's also a 1099 contractor. He successfully got his 8 weeks of PFL for baby bonding last year. Since your husband has been paying into SDI for 2 years, he should definitely qualify! A few things that made our process smoother: **Application timing**: File the claim as soon as possible after your baby is born, but within 41 days of when he starts his first week of leave. Don't wait! **Income documentation**: Have him pull together his last 4-6 quarters of income records now - 1099s, bank statements, invoices. EDD will want to see a clear picture of his earnings pattern. **The "completely offline" rule**: This was the hardest part for my husband! During his PFL weeks, he couldn't do ANY work - no emails, calls, nothing that generates income. We learned this the hard way when EDD questioned some client communication during his first claimed week. **Weekly benefit amount**: It'll be roughly 60-70% of his average weekly wage from his highest-earning quarter in the past 18 months, capped at the state maximum. One last tip: if he's planning to split the 8 weeks, map out those specific dates now and give clients plenty of advance notice. We found 8-10 weeks heads up worked well for maintaining good relationships. Feel free to ask if you have other questions - happy to help a fellow parent navigate this maze! The benefits are absolutely worth the paperwork hassle.

Hey Malik! Congrats on your upcoming baby! 🍼 I went through this same situation as a 1099 contractor last year and wanted to share a few additional tips that really helped us: **Pre-baby checklist**: Start gathering documents NOW - not just tax forms, but also quarterly estimated tax payment records showing your husband's SDI contributions. EDD sometimes wants to see proof he was actually paying in consistently. **Client transition strategy**: Beyond just giving advance notice, consider creating simple handoff documents for each major client - contact info for backup resources, project status summaries, etc. This made my clients feel much more comfortable and actually strengthened relationships. **EDD portal setup**: Have your husband create his EDD online account before the baby arrives. The website can be glitchy when you're sleep-deprived and stressed, so getting familiar with it beforehand is super helpful. **Payment timing**: First payments usually take 2-3 weeks after filing, so budget accordingly. We were glad we planned for that gap financially. Your husband should definitely qualify for the full 8 weeks of PFL since he's been paying in for 2 years. The intermittent approach works great for maintaining client relationships - just make sure each chunk is at least a full week and all documentation is crystal clear about work vs. non-work periods. You're smart to plan ahead! Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the application process.

Just to clarify the process a bit more since there's some confusion in the responses: 1. You CAN file your new disability claim before your PFL ends (and should) 2. In the new claim, make sure to indicate it's for a postpartum condition related to your previous pregnancy 3. Your benefit amount should be the same as your original disability claim 4. They'll use the same EDD debit card you already have 5. Make sure your doctor clearly documents that this is a continuation of care for a pregnancy-related condition Also, keep in mind that you're entitled to reasonable accommodations when you do return to work under both CFRA and FEHA if you're still experiencing postpartum complications.

I went through this exact transition 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I filed my new SDI claim online 3 days before my PFL ended. The key is making sure your doctor clearly states on the DE2501 that this is a postpartum complication continuing from your pregnancy. I also wrote a brief note in the "additional information" section explaining I was transitioning from baby bonding PFL back to disability for ongoing postpartum issues. My payments continued seamlessly with only a 1-day gap. Don't stress too much - this transition is more common than you think and EDD has a process for it. The most important thing is filing BEFORE your PFL ends!