Am I eligible for CA PFL? Paying into SDI, need leave for family care/bonding

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm leaning towards bonding time, but I'm not 100% sure yet. Do you know if there's a difference in eligibility between the two?

Not really a difference in eligibility, but there might be some variations in the paperwork and how long you can take. For bonding, you usually get up to 8 weeks. For caregiving, it depends on the situation. Either way, you're probably good to go!

That's super helpful, thanks! I'll look into the specifics for bonding time then. Appreciate the info! 🙏

omg yes the wait times are insane. I spent like 3 hours on hold once 😫

Pro tip: I found a way to skip the wait times. There's this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that calls for you, waits on hold, and then connects you when a real person picks up. It costs $20 but saved me hours of frustration. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

Wait, seriously? That sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?

Yep, it's legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it worked like a charm. Saved me from pulling my hair out on hold music lol

Idk man, paying to talk to a government agency feels wrong. Shouldn't this be free?

I get where you're coming from, but for me, time is money. I'd rather pay $20 than waste half a day on hold. To each their own tho 🤷‍♂️

Thanks so much! Yeah, we're expecting in a few months. It's exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Glad to hear PFL worked well for you!

It's definitely a wild ride! Pro tip: sleep now while you still can 😴 And don't stress too much about the PFL process. It seems complicated at first but it's not too bad once you get into it.

Wow, this is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out. I'll definitely be referring back to this as I go through the process. 💯

This should be pinned or something. Super useful info!

Quick question - does anyone know if the 60-70% is pre-tax or post-tax? Trying to budget here 😅

Good question! The PFL benefits are considered taxable income, but taxes aren't automatically withheld. You can request to have federal taxes withheld, but not state taxes. You'll get a 1099-G form at the end of the year for tax purposes.

Cmon man, no need to be so negative. Yeah, it can be frustrating sometimes but plenty of people get through it just fine.

just speaking from experience bro. 3 months of back and forth for a simple claim. but hey, maybe OP will have better luck 🤷‍♂️

I did! It can qualify, but you need pretty solid documentation from a healthcare provider. They'll need to certify that your family member requires care.

That's really good to know, thanks! Did you have any issues with the application process for this specific reason?

Not really, but make sure the healthcare provider is really clear and detailed in their certification. That's key. Good luck!

Ugh, YES. It's like they know exactly when I'm free to deal with this stuff and decide that's the perfect time for "updates" 😤

Pro tip: Try accessing the site early in the morning or late at night. Less traffic usually means fewer issues.