Hey OP, just curious - how far in advance are you trying to change your return date? I had to do this once and they told me there was a minimum notice period required.

I went through this exact situation last month! The key is to call early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) and have your employer documentation ready. When I called, I explained that my employer had a scheduling conflict and I needed to extend my leave by a few days. The rep was actually pretty understanding once I had all my paperwork in order. Make sure you get a confirmation number for any changes they make - I learned that the hard way! Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to says they can't help - sometimes asking to speak to a supervisor works better. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I got through. You got this! 💪

anyone else feel like we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system? 🤔 this stuff happens way too often

I went through something similar a few months ago! Definitely don't deposit those checks - you're smart for not cashing them. When I called EDD, they told me to keep the physical checks as proof and they eventually sent me a letter with instructions on how to return them. The key thing is to be proactive about calling them because if you wait too long, they might assume you're trying to keep the money. Also, make sure you have your exact return-to-work date handy when you call - they'll need that info to recalculate everything. Hang in there, it's stressful but totally fixable! 💪

As someone who just went through this process with my son born in February, I want to emphasize how important it is to stay organized and proactive! Here's my exact timeline that worked well: - Week 4 postpartum: Set calendar reminder to apply for PFL - Week 5: Called doctor's office to confirm they had my PFL transition date in their system - Week 6: Applied for PFL online (took about 20 minutes) - Week 6.5: Doctor submitted my disability release right on schedule - Week 7: Seamless transition - no gap in payments! The key was communication with my doctor's office. I actually went in person during a regular checkup and made sure the nurse wrote down the exact date I needed to be released from disability. This prevented any confusion later. Also, don't stress too much about the online form - it's pretty straightforward. Just have your employer info, baby's birth details, and your SDI claim number handy. The system walks you through everything step by step. One last tip: if you're planning to return to work part-time eventually, ask about intermittent PFL when you apply. You can use your 8 weeks in smaller chunks if your employer allows it, which gives you more flexibility!

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea that PFL required a separate application - my employer just handed me a stack of forms and said "figure it out" which was super overwhelming. One question I haven't seen addressed yet: if my baby comes early (like several weeks early), does that mess up the timing for when I should apply for PFL? I keep seeing everyone say to apply 1-2 weeks before SDI ends, but what if my recovery period is different than expected due to complications or an early delivery? Also, has anyone dealt with applying for PFL while still in the hospital after delivery? I'm a little worried about trying to navigate all this paperwork while recovering and adjusting to life with a newborn. Should I ask my partner to handle the application, or does it have to be done by me personally? Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - you've all made this process seem much less scary!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm planning ahead for when my baby arrives in a few months and had no idea you could split up the PFL. Reading everyone's experiences here has given me a much better understanding of the process. A couple questions for those who've been through this: 1) When you file that second claim online, do you reference your original PFL claim number anywhere, or is it treated as completely separate? 2) Does the one-week waiting period apply to the second claim too, or just the first one? Thanks for creating such a supportive space to share info - dealing with EDD is stressful enough without having to figure it all out alone! 🙏

I'm currently going through this process right now and wanted to share what worked for me! I had my baby in October, took 6 weeks initially, and just successfully got approved for my remaining 2 weeks. Here's what I learned: The online application is definitely the way to go - I got it processed in about 10 days vs the horror stories I heard about phone wait times. When filling it out, be specific about why you're splitting the leave (I mentioned needing to coordinate with my partner's return to work). One thing nobody warned me about - make sure to submit your application at least 2-3 weeks before you actually want to start your leave. The processing time + waiting period can really add up, and you don't want to be stuck without income during your leave period. Also, keep screenshots of everything! The EDD system can be glitchy and having proof of what you submitted has saved me multiple times. Good luck @Kendrick Webb - you've got this! The system is frustrating but your benefits are there waiting for you. 💪

ugh, the EDD (assuming youre in CA) is such a clown show 🤡 I've been waiting on a claim for months. solidarity, friend

I went through something similar last year! The key thing is to be really specific when you call - don't just say "I didn't get paid." Tell them exactly: "I was on approved FMLA leave from 2/10-2/16, submitted my PFL claim properly, but received zero payment for those dates." Also ask them to check if your claim was processed at all or if it got stuck somewhere in the system. Sometimes they'll say it was "under review" and never actually got processed. If the first person can't help, politely ask to speak with someone who handles PFL claim discrepancies specifically. You got this! 💪