Thank you all SO MUCH for your helpful responses. I'm feeling much better about our situation now. My husband is going to apply for UI right after his last day, and then switch to PFL once our baby arrives. We'll be super careful about stopping the UI certifications properly before starting PFL. I'm also going to look into my own SDI benefits as someone pointed out - I hadn't even thought about that part yet (pregnancy brain is real!). This community has been an absolute lifesaver during such a stressful time. Will update once we get through this process in case it helps anyone else!

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure your husband keeps detailed records of all his job applications during this whole process. When he transitions back to UI after PFL, EDD may ask for proof that he was actively seeking work before the baby was born, and they'll definitely require it once he resumes UI benefits. Also, if he hasn't already, he should sign up for CalJOBS (the state job portal) as it integrates with the UI system and can help streamline the work search documentation. Having everything organized will make the transitions smoother. Wishing you both the best with your new baby and hoping he finds something soon! The job market is tough right now but project management skills are definitely in demand.

Anyone else notice that the hold music is like... weirdly catchy? I caught myself humming it at the grocery store the other day 😂

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The incorrect return-to-work date was driving me crazy because it was affecting my benefit calculation. When I finally got through (after what felt like forever), the rep was actually really helpful. They were able to fix it right over the phone once I provided my correct start date and explained the situation. The key is having any documentation ready - I had my job offer email saved on my phone which made it super easy. The change showed up in my account within 2 business days. Hang in there, you'll get through eventually!

idk if this helps but i had to deal with pfl last year and they kept loosing my docs 🤦‍♂️ make sure u get confirmation when u send stuff in

Been through this twice now - the key is to be proactive! When they send that vague "additional information" request, call them ASAP to get specifics. In my experience, they usually want employment verification (like a letter from HR), medical documentation if it's health-related, and sometimes wage statements. Also, send everything via certified mail or their online portal if they have one - regular mail has a habit of "disappearing" with government agencies. Good luck! 🤞

Yes, you can split up your PFL baby bonding time! You have 12 months from your baby's birth to use all 8 weeks. You can take it in increments as small as 1 day if your employer approves. Just remember that each time you want to claim a new portion of your PFL, you need to submit a new claim form for that specific period. Many parents save some PFL time for holidays or when their partner goes back to work. The only requirement is that you take it within that first year.

Just wanted to add my experience from going through this transition last month! I filed my PFL claim exactly 7 days before my SDI ended (following the advice I found here actually), and the transition was seamless - no gap in payments at all. One tip that really helped me: when you're filling out the PFL application online, there's a section that asks about "previous claims" - make sure to reference your SDI claim number there. It seems to help EDD connect the two claims faster. Also, don't panic if your EDD account looks weird for a day or two during the transition - mine showed confusing status updates but the payments came through on schedule. The whole process was way less scary than I expected after reading everyone's horror stories!

I'm so glad you're helping your sister navigate this - having family support during such a difficult time makes all the difference! One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet: if your sister does approach the 52-week maximum, she might also want to look into whether she qualifies for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if her complications are expected to last longer than a year. These are federal programs separate from EDD benefits. Also, make sure she keeps detailed records of all her medical appointments, treatments, and how her condition affects her daily activities. This documentation could be crucial if there are any disputes about her continued eligibility. The stress of dealing with benefits while recovering from serious complications is incredibly overwhelming. Encourage her to focus on her health first - the paperwork and phone calls can wait if she's having a particularly difficult day. Her recovery is the most important thing right now. 💙

I'm a new mom dealing with postpartum anxiety and depression after a difficult pregnancy, and reading through this thread has been so reassuring! I had no idea that mental health conditions resulting from pregnancy complications could potentially qualify as a separate disability claim. My situation is a bit different - I only used about 16 weeks total for my pregnancy/delivery/recovery, but now I'm struggling with severe postpartum depression that my psychiatrist says could require months of treatment and time off work. I've been afraid to even ask about extending my leave because I thought I was "done" with my benefits. Based on what @Miguel Castro shared about their doctor classifying postpartum depression as a separate condition, it sounds like I should talk to my psychiatrist about this approach. Has anyone else successfully used mental health complications as grounds for continued or new disability claims after using standard maternity leave? Sofia, I hope your sister gets the answers and support she needs. It's clear she's lucky to have you advocating for her during such a challenging time. This whole experience really shows how much the system needs to better support families dealing with pregnancy complications! 💕