This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my first and honestly hadn't even thought about the possibility of wanting to change jobs after maternity leave. Reading everyone's experiences is making me realize how much my priorities might shift once the baby arrives. The biggest takeaway for me is understanding that the state benefits (SDI and PFL) are truly ours - we literally paid into this insurance system through our paychecks, so of course we shouldn't have to pay it back based on future job decisions! It seems so obvious now, but I definitely would have panicked about owing money back if I were in @cb53ba43b0d6's situation. I'm definitely going to dig into my employee handbook this weekend to understand what supplemental benefits my company provides and any potential return-to-work requirements. Better to know now while I can think clearly rather than trying to figure it out postpartum! Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of practical advice from people who've actually been through it is so much more valuable than trying to navigate government websites or get through to EDD. You've all probably saved multiple people from unnecessary stress and worry!

This entire thread has been incredibly reassuring to read! I'm currently on week 7 of my PFL bonding leave and have been wrestling with a very similar decision. My pre-baby job requires a lot of travel and long hours, and I've been offered a remote position with much better work-life balance. I was terrified that leaving would somehow jeopardize my benefits or require repayment. The insurance analogy really clicked for me - we pay SDI premiums every paycheck specifically for these situations! It makes perfect sense that the benefits are ours regardless of future employment decisions. @cb53ba43b0d6 your situation sounds like a no-brainer honestly - cutting your commute from 45 minutes to 10 minutes with a new baby would be life-changing! Plus better hours on top of that? That's exactly the kind of opportunity that makes having a baby feel less overwhelming. I'm definitely going to review my employee handbook this weekend to check for any supplemental benefit requirements, but knowing that the bulk of what I received (the state portion) is mine to keep makes this decision so much less stressful. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences - this community is amazing for getting practical advice you literally can't find anywhere else!

I just went through this process successfully last month! Here's what finally worked for me after days of frustration: First, try calling the PFL line (1-877-238-4373) at exactly 8:01 AM - not 8:00, but 8:01. I found that calling right at 8:00 gets you caught in the initial rush, but waiting just one minute helped me get through on my third try using this timing. While you're trying to reach them, immediately send a secure message through your EDD online account explaining your situation and your intent to pause benefits. Include specific dates - when you started leave, when you're returning to work, and your planned return to PFL. This creates a paper trail. For your certifications during the work period, continue submitting them but answer honestly about returning to work. Don't skip certifications entirely as that can create complications. The agent I spoke with emphasized that pausing and resuming is totally normal and preserves your full benefit period. I used 5 weeks initially, worked for 6 weeks, then came back to use my remaining 3 weeks with no issues. Download the DE2503F form now and have it ready - you'll need to submit it when you return to work. Also, keep notes of every call attempt with dates/times as this helped show my good faith effort when I finally got through. Wishing your mother-in-law a speedy recovery! This community has been so much more helpful than EDD's actual resources.

I went through this same nightmare trying to pause my PFL benefits earlier this year! The phone system is absolutely broken. What finally worked for me was using the callback feature on the EDD website - you can request a callback instead of staying on hold. It took 3 days but they actually called me back and I was able to get everything sorted. When you do get through, make sure to ask for a confirmation number for your pause request. The rep told me that pausing preserves your remaining benefit weeks indefinitely (as long as it's within the 12-month benefit period), so you can take as much time as you need between your work period and resuming PFL. Also heads up - when you're ready to restart benefits after your mother-in-law recovers, you'll need to file a "continued claim" rather than a new claim. The process is pretty straightforward once you get past the phone system hurdle. Hope your mother-in-law's surgery goes well and she has a smooth recovery!

For split periods of baby bonding leave, your husband would file an initial claim for the first period. Then for subsequent periods, he'd need to file a "Notice of Reestablished Claim" when he wants to use the remaining weeks. It's still under the same claim, but he needs to notify EDD each time he starts a new period of leave. Make sure he notifies his employer according to their policy as well.

Just wanted to add my experience from having our baby in February 2025! My husband's PFL baby bonding claim was super straightforward - no doctor certification needed at all. He just filled out the DE2508 form online and uploaded a copy of our baby's birth certificate. The whole process took about 10 minutes and he got his first payment within 2 weeks. One tip: make sure he selects the right claim type on the EDD website. There are different options and "baby bonding" is specifically listed as separate from disability claims. Also, he can actually start his claim on any date after the birth - doesn't have to be immediately. We waited a month so I could go back to work part-time first, then he took his 8 weeks. The system is way more flexible than we expected!

As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can confirm what Jacob said is spot on! I also only received SDI for maternity leave and was so confused about the tax implications. No 1099G will come because SDI isn't federally taxable, but you definitely need to report it on your California state return. One tip that saved me time - when you log into your EDD account, look for the "View Payment History" or "Claim Summary" section. It'll show all your payments with dates and amounts. I just added them all up and used that total for my CA state taxes. Super straightforward once you know where to look! Don't stress about the federal return - you're totally fine there. Just focus on getting that CA state portion right and you'll be all set. Congrats on your little one! 🍼

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I received SDI benefits for about 4 months last year (April-July) for my maternity leave and have been so confused about the tax implications. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that SDI wasn't federally taxable but still needed to be reported on CA state taxes. I just logged into my EDD account and found my payment history like everyone suggested. It's all there under "DI" payments, so I can easily add up the total for my California state return. Such a relief to know I don't need to wait for a 1099G that's never coming! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially Jacob and Keisha for the clear explanations. This thread should be pinned for all the confused new moms dealing with this for the first time! 🙏

hope it works out for u! sorry bout ur mother in law

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Going through this while navigating bureaucracy is incredibly difficult. Just wanted to add that when you submit your PFL application, make sure to clearly document the caregiving activities you're providing for your husband - things like helping him manage daily tasks he's struggling with due to his condition, accompanying him to medical appointments, and providing emotional support during the estate settlement process. EDD sometimes asks for specifics about what "care" looks like. Also, since you mentioned multiple trips to the UK, you might want to include a brief note explaining that the caregiving includes helping him handle his mother's affairs overseas, as this directly relates to his diagnosed condition. The international aspect shouldn't disqualify you as long as you're actively providing care. Wishing you and your family strength during this difficult time. The fact that his doctor was understanding and provided the proper diagnosis is a huge step forward.