Congratulations on your new daughter! As a dad who went through this process last year, I can confirm you absolutely qualify for PFL baby bonding leave. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple timeline before filing - write down when you want to take your weeks off and share that with your employer upfront. Since you're at a small company, they'll appreciate the advance notice to plan coverage. Also, don't worry too much if the first attempt at calling EDD doesn't go through - the online system actually works pretty well for straightforward baby bonding claims like yours. You're going to love having that bonding time with your little one - those early weeks are so precious and go by way too fast! The financial support from PFL really makes it possible to be present without stressing about money.

Congratulations on your new daughter! As someone who works in HR at a small company, I wanted to share some additional perspective on the employer side of things. Since your company has 15 employees, you're covered under California's CFRA but not federal FMLA (which requires 50+ employees). This means your job is protected, but as others mentioned, health insurance continuation isn't guaranteed. When you talk to your boss tomorrow, consider proposing a transition plan - maybe offer to train someone on your key responsibilities or create handover documentation. Small companies really appreciate this kind of proactive approach. Also, since you're planning to split your 8 weeks, give them as much advance notice as possible for the later weeks when your wife returns to work. This helps them plan staffing better. The fact that you're thinking about your employer's needs while also taking advantage of this great benefit shows you're handling this the right way. Your daughter is lucky to have a dad who wants to be so involved in her early months!

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Losing your husband so suddenly while having to care for young children is beyond devastating, and I can only imagine how overwhelming everything must feel right now. I wanted to add one practical resource that might help while you're navigating all the benefit applications - many hospitals and medical centers have financial counselors or social workers who specialize in helping families access benefits during medical crises or family emergencies. Even if you're not currently receiving medical care there, they often provide free consultations and can help you understand which programs you're most likely to qualify for quickly. Also, since you mentioned your boss is being understanding, it might be worth asking HR if your company participates in any leave-sharing programs where other employees can donate their unused vacation days to colleagues in emergency situations. Some companies have these but don't advertise them widely. One more thing - if you have any joint accounts or shared finances, make sure to contact your bank about your situation. Many banks have hardship programs that can temporarily reduce or defer certain fees and payments while you get benefits sorted out. The advice everyone has given you here is excellent, and I hope you're able to get the support you and your children need during this incredibly difficult time. Please don't hesitate to lean on your community - that's what we're here for. You're doing everything you can as a parent in an impossible situation.

I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. What you and your children are going through is heartbreaking, and it takes tremendous strength to even think about navigating these systems while grieving. Reading through all the wonderful advice here, I wanted to add one more resource that might help bridge the gap while you're waiting for benefits to process - many local churches, temples, and community organizations have emergency assistance funds specifically for families dealing with sudden loss, regardless of whether you're a member. They often can provide immediate help with groceries, utilities, or even temporary childcare so you can attend appointments or handle paperwork. Also, since you mentioned your children are 6 and 9, you might want to reach out to local children's grief support organizations like Judi's House (if you're in Colorado) or similar programs in your area. Many offer both individual and family counseling specifically designed for children who have lost a parent, and these professionals are very familiar with providing the documentation needed for PFL applications. One practical tip: as you're making all these calls and applications, keep a simple notebook or use your phone to track who you spoke with, when, and what they told you. Grief brain is real, and it's easy to forget important details or instructions when you're overwhelmed. You're doing an amazing job trying to take care of your family during an impossible time. Please be patient with yourself as you work through this process, and don't hesitate to accept help from every resource available. Your children are lucky to have such a caring parent fighting for them during this tragedy.

Hey Ava! I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. My baby came 2 weeks early while I was still on SDI for hyperemesis gravidarum. The most important thing is to call EDD immediately after delivery - I called the next morning from my hospital room. They were actually really understanding and helpful! The rep explained that this happens all the time and they have a standard process for it. What surprised me was how seamless the transition actually was once I reported it properly. My SDI converted to 6 weeks of recovery (vaginal delivery), and then I got a notice in my online account about applying for PFL bonding about a week before my recovery ended. No gaps in payments at all! One tip that saved me stress: I had my husband handle the EDD call while I was recovering. He had all my info ready (SSN, claim number, delivery date) and they were fine working with him since we're married. Might be worth having your partner prepared to help with this if needed. You're going to do great! The transition is way less scary than it seems when you're pregnant and worrying about everything. The fact that you're planning ahead puts you in such a good position. 💙

Hi Ava! I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant and also on SDI for severe morning sickness, so I completely understand your stress about this transition. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful for me too! I wanted to add one thing that my doctor mentioned during my last appointment - she said to make sure you have your EDD claim number easily accessible when you go into labor. She's seen patients struggle to find their information when they're in pain or on medication, so having it written down and ready to go (maybe in your hospital bag with that awesome checklist Paloma shared) can save you from scrambling later. Also, my OB office told me they actually prefer when patients give them a heads up about needing the DE2501 form updated after delivery. They said it helps them prioritize getting it submitted quickly since they know it's time-sensitive for benefit payments. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! This community has been such a lifeline for navigating these confusing processes. Ava, it sounds like you're going to handle this transition like a pro with all this great advice! 🤗

Just want to echo what others have said and add a couple practical tips from my experience helping my sister navigate PFL for her husband's cancer treatments: 1. Apply ASAP once you have the doctor's form - there's no waiting period, but processing takes time and you want benefits to start when the leave begins. 2. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. EDD sometimes "loses" paperwork and you'll need to resubmit. 3. Your fiancé should inform his employer about both PFL (wage replacement) AND potentially FMLA/CFRA (job protection) - these are separate but can run concurrently. 4. If EDD requests additional documentation after the initial application, respond immediately. Any delay can pause your entire claim. The brain fog from neurological conditions is so real - maybe have your fiancé handle most of the paperwork side while you focus on preparing for your procedures. You've got this! The system is confusing but totally doable with the right documentation.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my partner! One thing I learned that might help you is that you should definitely have your fiancé apply at least 2-3 weeks before the procedures if possible. While there's no official waiting period for PFL, the processing time can vary a lot depending on how complete your initial application is. Also, when you see your new neurosurgeon, it might be worth asking if their office has experience with disability/PFL forms. Some medical offices have staff who are really familiar with what EDD needs, which can save you from having to resubmit paperwork later. My partner's doctor's office actually had a checklist they use for these forms! One more tip - make sure your fiancé saves the confirmation number when he submits the application online. You can use it to track the claim status, which is super helpful when you're dealing with brain fog and trying to keep track of everything. The online portal is actually pretty user-friendly once you get familiar with it. Hope your procedures go smoothly and the PFL process is straightforward for you both! 💜

As a new member here, I just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently expecting and will need to apply for PFL in a few months, so reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly valuable. It's clear that the key takeaways are: call 877-238-4373 right at 8am, religiously check your online account for notices (not just the status page), and have all documentation ready to upload immediately. The persistence everyone showed here is inspiring, and @Jungleboo Soletrain's success story gives me hope that the system does eventually work when you know the right steps. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping each other navigate this challenging process!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently navigating the PFL system myself for the first time and was feeling completely overwhelmed until I found this discussion. The detailed advice from @Collins Angel about common holdups and @Nadia Zaldivar's timing tips are exactly what I needed. It's so encouraging to see @Jungleboo Soletrain's success story - proof that persistence and knowing the right steps really does work. I'm taking notes on the 877-238-4373 number and the importance of checking for notices in the online portal. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people share real solutions instead of just complaints. This is what community support should look like!