Going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my baby bonding PFL claim about 8 days ago and have been obsessively checking the mail for that Notice of Computation. The financial stress is so real when you're on unpaid leave - I literally made a spreadsheet tracking all our expenses and how long our savings will last! 😅 This thread has been incredibly helpful though. Based on everyone's timelines, it sounds like I should get my notice within the next few days, and then hopefully payment about a week after that. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't provide clearer timelines, especially when new parents are already dealing with so much. @GalaxyGazer congrats on your payment processing! That gives me so much hope. Thanks for starting this discussion - it's exactly what so many of us are wondering but were too stressed to ask about!

I'm right there with you on the financial stress! Filed my baby bonding PFL claim about 3 weeks ago and just got my first payment yesterday - took exactly 9 business days after receiving my Notice of Computation. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're on unpaid leave and bills keep coming. One thing that helped ease my anxiety was setting up text alerts with my bank so I'd get notified the second any deposit hit my account (instead of obsessively checking the app 20 times a day!). Also, if you're really in a pinch while waiting, some utility companies and daycare centers will work with you on payment plans if you explain you're waiting for state benefits - doesn't hurt to ask. The financial uncertainty during what should be precious bonding time is so unfair, but hang in there - based on your timeline, you should see that money very soon! 💙

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!

Adding to all the great advice here - I'm currently going through this exact same process! Started my baby bonding leave 2 weeks ago while my claim is still pending. The financial uncertainty is definitely stressful, but I've been documenting everything like others suggested. One thing I learned from calling EDD (after many attempts) is that they actually expect people to start their leave before approval - it's totally normal and built into their system. The rep told me that as long as your DE2508 form clearly states your intended start date and you're eligible, the retroactive payment is guaranteed. What's been helping my anxiety is treating it like any other benefits situation - unemployment, disability, etc. The government programs are designed to help, they just move slowly. Keep all your paperwork, stay in touch with your employer's HR, and try not to check the EDD portal obsessively (easier said than done!). Hang in there Paolo - sounds like you're doing everything right. These bonding weeks are going to be amazing once all the paperwork stress is behind you!

Does anyone know if theres a maximum amount you can receive on PFL? I make decent money and I'm worried about taking a big pay cut if I need to use it.

@Arjun Kurti Since you started in November, you should definitely check your earnings history from any previous jobs too! California PFL looks at your earnings in the base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). If you had another job before November, those earnings might help you qualify even if your current job hours alone aren't enough. You can check your earnings online through the EDD website - they should have all your reported wages on file. Also, make sure to apply as soon as you know you'll need the leave, since there can be processing delays. Good luck! 🤞

Based on all the comments here, it sounds like your husband has a few possible scenarios: 1. If he's union (which you confirmed), check his union benefits first - they often have their own parental leave provisions 2. He may still be contributing to SDI under a different code on his paystub 3. His employer might have a voluntary plan instead of state SDI I'd recommend this approach: 1. Contact his union rep first (highest likelihood of good benefits) 2. Then check with HR about any company or voluntary plan options 3. If neither of those pan out, have him check if he's eligible for CFRA/FMLA (unpaid but job-protected for 12 weeks) And as a backup, you can use the Claimyr service mentioned to speak directly with EDD to confirm if he has any wage records in their system that would qualify him for state benefits. Good luck with your planning and congratulations on your upcoming baby!

Hey Isabella! Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year. My husband also works construction and we couldn't find SDI on his paystubs initially. Turns out his company had a "substitute" voluntary plan that was actually administered through a third-party insurance company rather than the state. Here's what I'd suggest doing right away: 1. Ask his HR for a copy of their employee benefits summary/handbook - it should spell out any disability or family leave benefits 2. If he's union, definitely start there first like Diego mentioned - construction unions often have AMAZING family benefits 3. Don't just look for "SDI" on his paystub - look for ANY disability-related deductions, even if they're labeled weird The tricky thing is that some voluntary plans have different eligibility requirements or waiting periods, so you'll want to find out ASAP if there's paperwork to submit before your due date. Also, even if he doesn't qualify for paid leave through work, he can still take CFRA leave (unpaid but job-protected) as long as his company has 5+ employees and he's worked there 12+ months. Not ideal financially but at least he'd have job security. Fingers crossed his union or employer has great benefits! Keep us posted on what you find out 🤞

Don't panic! I made this exact same mistake last year. Here's what worked for me: I called the EDD PFL line first thing in the morning (around 8:02 AM) and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was super helpful and explained that they can switch your application type pretty easily if you catch it early. She submitted a correction form on her end and told me to watch for an email confirmation within 3-5 business days. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes once I got someone on the phone. Your benefits won't be affected as long as you get it corrected soon. Hang in there! 💪

I had the exact same panic attack when I did this last year! 😅 Here's what saved me: instead of just calling randomly, I used the EDD callback feature on their website. You request a callback and they actually call YOU back within 24-48 hours. Way less stressful than sitting on hold forever. When they called, I explained the mistake and the agent was like "oh this happens all the time, no worries." She switched it from Care to Bonding in literally 2 minutes and sent me a confirmation email the same day. Your benefits timeline shouldn't be affected at all - they just update the form type in their system. Breathe, you got this! 🌟