Just an update from what I'm seeing in recent cases - EDD has been having some direct deposit delays specifically for PFL claims since they updated their system last month. The baby bonding claims seem to be taking longer than disability claims right now. If your payment doesn't arrive by day 7, definitely call them directly - sometimes there's a simple verification step that's needed.

I went through this exact same situation 3 months ago! Switched from debit card to direct deposit for my bonding leave and it took 7 business days for the first payment to hit my account. I was freaking out just like you are now. The key thing I learned is that "business days" doesn't include weekends, so if you made the switch on a Friday, that whole weekend doesn't count toward the timeline. Also, I found that calling EDD around 8:02 AM right when they open gives you the best chance of getting through quickly. Hang in there - it's so stressful with a new baby but the money will come!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm 32 weeks pregnant and dealing with almost the exact same confusion about the gap between company benefits and state programs. My employer only provides 6 weeks of paid leave, but I keep hearing conflicting information about when I can access different state benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - especially the clarification that SDI will continue even after company pay ends, as long as my doctor certifies I'm still disabled from childbirth. I was panicking thinking there would be weeks with no income! One question for those who've been through this: did you have to do anything special to notify EDD when your company stopped paying, or did the transition happen automatically? I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess up the handoff between company pay and direct SDI payments. Also, the tip about keeping everything organized in a spreadsheet is brilliant - I'm starting that today! This whole process feels so much less overwhelming now that I understand the difference between company policies and state benefit eligibility. Thank you all for sharing your experiences! 🙏

I'm currently going through this exact same situation and wanted to share what I just learned from calling EDD directly (after waiting on hold for 2 hours!). The agent confirmed that your SDI will absolutely continue after your company pay ends on February 9th - there won't be a gap in income during your recovery period. She explained that while your company is paying you, EDD just reduces or withholds your SDI payments to avoid overpaying you, but once company pay stops, your full SDI benefit amount will be paid directly by EDD. For the PFL baby bonding eligibility, she said the one-year work requirement your HR mentioned is likely about job protection under CFRA, not the actual state PFL benefits. For state PFL, you just need to have paid into SDI through payroll deductions during the base period. So you might actually be eligible for PFL before April 2nd! I'd definitely recommend calling EDD to confirm your specific situation, but this should give you some peace of mind. The system is confusing but it does work once you understand that company policies and state benefits are completely separate. Hang in there - you've got this! 💪

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The online account suggestion is definitely worth checking first - I was surprised to find a PDF copy there that I had completely missed. If that doesn't work out, I'd recommend trying the in-person route if you have a local office nearby. I know it's a bit of a hassle, but in my experience they were way more helpful face-to-face than over the phone. Plus you can walk out with the document in hand instead of waiting for mail. Just make sure to bring your ID and any paperwork you still have from your claim. Hope this helps and you get it sorted out quickly!

Just wanted to add that you can also try emailing them if calling doesn't work out. I know it's slower than phone, but sometimes they respond to emails faster than you'd expect. Also, if you do end up going the in-person route, try to go mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) if possible - I've found the lines are usually shorter then. And definitely save/screenshot any digital copies you find in your online account for future reference. Nothing worse than losing important docs twice! Good luck getting this sorted out 🍀

Good point - just checked and my SDI claim says active. So relieved everything seems to be in order for now!

Just wanted to add that timing is really important here! I made the mistake of applying too early (like 3 weeks before my SDI ended) and EDD told me I had to wait and reapply closer to the actual transition date. Apparently they won't process PFL claims that are submitted too far in advance. Also, keep your birth certificate or hospital records handy when you apply online - you'll need to upload a clear photo or scan of them as part of the application. The system is pretty picky about image quality, so make sure it's well-lit and all text is readable. One more tip: if you're planning to take the full 8 weeks of baby bonding, make sure you enter the correct return-to-work date when applying. I miscalculated mine by a few days and had to call EDD to fix it, which was a hassle.

Just wanted to chime in as another dad who did exactly this! Started my 8-week baby bonding leave while my claim was still processing and it worked out great. Got the full retroactive payment about 6 weeks later. One thing I'd add that I don't see mentioned yet - when you do start your leave, make sure you're completely OFF work on those days. Don't check emails, don't take any calls, don't do ANY work tasks even from home. EDD can be really strict about this if they audit your claim later. I know it's tempting to stay connected, especially as a first-time dad wanting to prove you're still committed to work, but it could jeopardize your benefits. Also, once your claim is approved, you'll need to certify every two weeks. Set up those calendar reminders now because if you miss a certification deadline, it can delay your payments even more. The certification window is pretty narrow. Sounds like you're being smart about getting all your ducks in a row first. Your little one is lucky to have such a thoughtful dad! Those bonding weeks are absolutely precious - don't let EDD stress steal that joy from you.

Hey Paolo! As a fellow new parent who just navigated this process, I wanted to share my experience. I started my bonding leave 3 weeks before my PFL claim was approved and it worked out perfectly - got all the retroactive pay in one lump sum once everything went through. A couple things that really saved me stress: First, I kept a simple log of every single day I was off (even just dates in my phone notes worked). Second, I made sure my employer's HR department had clear documentation about my intended start date matching what I put on the DE2508 form. The waiting period is definitely anxiety-inducing, especially when you're trying to balance new parent finances, but EDD does honor that retroactive payment from your official start date. In my case it took about 6 weeks total to see the first payment, but once it hit, it covered everything from day one. One small thing - when you do start your leave, resist any urge to "just quickly" check work emails or take calls. EDD can be surprisingly strict about you being completely off work during claimed days. Good luck with everything, and enjoy those precious bonding weeks with your little one!