Can I apply for baby bonding PFL online if I submitted pregnancy disability by mail?

yes u can do online! thats what i did last yr. SDI by mail then PFL online. easier

You absolutely can apply for PFL online even if your pregnancy disability claim was filed by mail. In fact, I recommend it because the online system is much faster. You'll need to create an SDI Online account if you don't already have one and select the option to file a Paid Family Leave claim. The system will automatically see your existing pregnancy disability claim in their database and connect them. Just make sure to have your doctor's certification info, your baby's birth certificate details, and your employment information handy. Since you're cutting it close with timing, I suggest applying today if possible.

I tried to do this EXACT thing in January and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! The system kept giving me errors saying my pregnancy disability claim couldn't be found when I tried to file PFL online. I had to call EDD like 57 times before getting through. Then they told me there was some glitch in their system with claims that transition from paper to online. They made me submit a paper PFL form anyway!!! So frustrating!!!! Maybe it's fixed now but BE PREPARED to call if you get errors.

When my pregnancy disability ended last month, I had a similar situation. I submitted PFL online after doing SDI by mail, and it worked fine, but here's my advice: Take screenshots of EVERYTHING during the online application process. The confirmation page, any reference numbers, everything. The EDD system can be glitchy, and having proof of submission saved me when my claim temporarily disappeared from the system. Also, if you do run into problems, I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes when I was panicking about my claim. They have a demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 that shows how it works. Honestly saved my sanity during the transition period when nothing was showing up in my account.

I just went through this process in January 2025. Here's the exact process: 1. Go to https://edd.ca.gov/en/Disability/SDI_Online 2. Create an account if you don't have one already 3. Select "New Claim" then "Paid Family Leave" 4. There will be a section asking if this claim is related to a previous pregnancy disability claim - select YES 5. Enter your previous pregnancy disability claim ID if you have it (on letters from EDD) or use your SSN 6. Complete the application My baby bonding PFL was approved in 8 days even though my pregnancy disability was paper-filed. The system is designed to handle the transition. Don't worry!

just wondering how ur pregnancy leave was? i'm due in 3 months and nervous about the whole process. was the mail claim easy? did u have any complications with payment?

btw dont freak out if theres a few days gap between SDI ending and PFL starting! mine took 5 days to process so there was like a week with no payment then they did back pay