One more thing to consider - you can split up your 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding. You don't have to take it all at once. Some dads take 4 weeks right after birth, then save the other 4 weeks for later in the year. Just make sure you use it all within 12 months of the birth. For each separate period, you'll need to file a new claim form.

Just want to add - make sure you understand the waiting period! There's a 7-day waiting period for PFL claims, meaning your first week is unpaid. So if you're planning to take time off, factor that into your budget. Also, if you're planning to split your leave like @Keisha Jackson mentioned, each separate claim period will have its own 7-day waiting period. I learned this the hard way when I took my PFL in two chunks and didn't realize I'd have two unpaid weeks total.

This might sound weird, but have you tried reaching out to EDD on social media? Sometimes companies are more responsive there because it's public. Worth a shot if nothing else is working.

Hey Nina! I actually went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that helped me was trying to reset my password using the "Forgot Password" link with my original email address - sometimes that can unlock the account automatically. Also, if you can find any old paperwork from when you first filed for unemployment or disability, it might have your original login info on it. The EDD keeps better records than we think they do sometimes! Hope this helps and you get it sorted soon! 🙏

lol good luck getting anyone at EDD to pick up the phone. I've been trying for weeks 🤡

@Yuki Ito, I was in a very similar situation when my daughter was born. Here's what worked for me: Document EVERYTHING - get a letter from your pediatrician stating that you need to be the primary caregiver, keep records of childcare searches you've done (showing lack of availability/affordability), and any family circumstances that prevent others from helping. When I called EDD, I emphasized that this was a "compelling family obligation" (thanks to whoever mentioned that term!) and that I was actively seeking work-from-home opportunities. It took about 3 weeks to get approved, but I did get benefits. The key is being persistent and having your documentation ready. Also, consider looking into local childcare assistance programs while you're navigating this - sometimes there are subsidies available that can help you get back to work sooner. Hang in there! 💙

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your wife's employer offers any supplemental benefits during the transition. Some companies will "top up" the difference between her full salary and the SDI/PFL payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to update your health insurance beneficiaries and look into whether you need to adjust any automatic bill payments during this period. The consistent payment amount is great, but it's still usually less than full salary so budgeting adjustments might be needed. Good luck with everything!

This thread has been super informative! As someone who's currently 7 months pregnant and trying to plan ahead, I'm relieved to hear the payment amounts stay the same during the transition. One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on working part-time during PFL bonding leave? My employer mentioned I might be able to do some remote work occasionally during my bonding time, but I want to make sure that won't affect my PFL benefits or cause any issues with EDD.

I made a similar mistake on my application a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: I called the SDI customer service line early in the morning (around 8 AM) when wait times are shorter. Have your confirmation number ready and clearly explain that you need to correct an error regarding the mandatory vacation policy. The representative was able to make a note in my file and told me to send a brief written statement via their secure message system confirming the correction. It took about 2 weeks to process, but they updated my application without any issues. Don't stress too much - honest mistakes happen and they deal with these corrections regularly!

I went through something similar last month! Don't panic - this is actually a pretty common mistake and the SDI office is used to handling these corrections. I called their main line and was able to get it sorted out over the phone. The key is being persistent but polite. They had me send a follow-up email confirming the correction we discussed, which helped create a paper trail. The whole process took about 10 business days from start to finish. One thing that helped me was having my employee handbook ready when I called, just in case they had questions about my actual company policies. Hang in there - it'll get resolved! 💪