Can I apply for PFL maternity benefits after my unemployment runs out?

They're completely separate programs! You should apply for Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) through EDD immediately - you don't need to wait until unemployment runs out or until after birth. You can get up to 4 weeks before your due date and then after delivery, usually 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type. After that ends, you can transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding for another 8 weeks. You'll need a doctor to complete the medical portion of the form DE2501.

congrats on ur baby! same thing happened to me last yr, ran out of unemployment right b4 birth. u need to file SDI claim using form DE2501 for pregnancy disability first, then PFL after. totally different from unemployment

When I had my baby in 2024, I was told that you CANNOT get unemployment and disability at the same time - they're totally different programs with different qualifications. For unemployment, you have to be able to work and looking for work. For disability/maternity, you're certifying you CANNOT work. So it's good your unemployment ended before you need to apply for maternity benefits! Follow the advice about getting the DE2501 form filled out by your doctor ASAP.

When I had my daughter I had the same confusion! The whole system is so complicated. I remember being on unemployment and then switching to disability but there was a gap because I didn't realize I needed to apply for the disability part separately. I think I was confusing unemployment with disability the whole time. The hospital gave me some forms after I gave birth but by then I'd already missed out on some weeks of benefits. Make sure you apply BEFORE giving birth!!

The EDD handles both programs but they're completely separate. Here's what you need to know: 1. File a Disability Insurance (DI) claim for your pregnancy NOW using form DE2501 2. Your doctor needs to certify you can't work due to pregnancy (usually up to 4 weeks before due date) 3. After delivery, your doctor will extend your disability period (6-8 weeks) 4. THEN you transition to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding (8 weeks) The weekly benefit amount is based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. And no, this has nothing to do with unemployment benefits at all. If you need to speak to an actual human at EDD (which I highly recommend), good luck getting through on the phone. I wasted hours trying. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. Totally worth it to get all your questions answered directly.

I went through this exact scenario in January 2025. Make sure you have your doctor complete the DE2501 form ASAP! You can actually file online at edd.ca.gov first and then submit the doctor's certification after your appointment. The system will hold your claim until they receive the medical certification. One crucial thing: unemployment and disability/PFL use different base periods for calculating your benefit amount. Your disability benefit might be higher or lower than your unemployment was, depending on when you earned the most money. For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,634. Also, prepare for the transition from disability to PFL - that's where a lot of people experience delays. Start your PFL claim as soon as you get notification that your disability claim is ending.

dont stress too much, the weekly amount is pretty good money in 2025. i got like $1200/week which was actually MORE than my regular paycheck lol

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE YOU!! I spent TWO MONTHS trying to get my maternity benefits straightened out. They kept claiming they never received my doctor's certification even though it was faxed TWICE. I had to submit everything multiple times and still ended up with a gap between unemployment ending and disability starting. Call them EVERY DAY until you get confirmation everything is processed correctly!!!

Just to summarize the correct information: 1. Apply for State Disability Insurance (SDI) before birth using form DE2501 2. Your doctor certifies your disability period (before and after birth) 3. When disability ends, apply for Paid Family Leave (PFL) using form DE2508 for baby bonding 4. Both programs provide approximately 60-70% of your wages up to a maximum 5. These are completely separate from unemployment insurance I recommend applying online at edd.ca.gov and keeping digital copies of EVERYTHING you submit. Take screenshots of your online submissions too.

I went through this exact situation two years ago! The key thing to remember is timing - you want to apply for State Disability Insurance (SDI) about 4 weeks before your due date, not wait until after the baby is born. I made that mistake and lost out on some pre-birth benefits. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to be specific about your disability dates on the DE2501 form. Some doctors are vague about the timeline which can cause delays in processing. Ask them to clearly state when you became unable to work due to pregnancy complications or when you'll need to stop working. One more tip - if you're having trouble reaching EDD by phone (and you probably will), try calling right when they open at 8am. I had better luck getting through early in the morning. Good luck with everything, and congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

I'm in a similar boat - my unemployment just ended and I'm 32 weeks pregnant! Reading through all these responses has been so helpful. I didn't realize I could apply for SDI benefits before giving birth. I've been panicking about having no income for the next few months, but it sounds like there's actually a pathway here. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you apply online at edd.ca.gov, do you apply under "Disability Insurance" or is there a specific "Pregnancy" section? I want to make sure I'm filling out the right forms. Also, has anyone had experience with how long it takes to get approved once you submit everything? I'm trying to figure out if there will be any gap in payments. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community has been a lifesaver!