Can I check remaining PFL baby bonding benefits without calling EDD? Had baby in Oct, don't want to lose time

You can check your remaining PFL balance by logging into your EDD account, going to 'Claim History' and clicking on the specific PFL claim. There should be a section that shows 'Benefits Used' or 'Claim Balance' that will tell you exactly how many weeks you've used out of your 8-week entitlement. Make sure you're looking at your PFL claim specifically, not your pregnancy disability claim, as they're separate benefits with different timeframes.

I was in the EXACT same boat last year! Had my baby in September and didn't realize until months later that I had 2 weeks of bonding time left. The EDD website is SO confusing. Check under claim history, not payments!

Just to add some details that might help: You have 12 months from your child's birth to use all 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding. The weeks don't need to be consecutive, so you can split them up. The minimum you can take at once is 1 week. Also remember that you need to file a new claim form (DE 2501F) each time you want to use a portion of your remaining benefits - this is important and often overlooked. I'd recommend planning ahead since processing can take 1-2 weeks.

I spent HOURS trying to get this same info from EDD last month and never could get through on the phone. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. The agent was able to tell me exactly how many PFL weeks I had left and explained how to submit a claim for the remaining time. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5

OMG the EDD is THE WORST!!! I had my twins in November and they messed up my claim so many times I literally cried on the phone with them. I couldn't figure out the website AT ALL and when I finally got through after calling for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT the lady told me I still had 4 weeks left but then another rep told me I only had 2 weeks!!! How can they not even know their own system?? And don't even get me started on the wait times when you call. I had to put my phone on speaker and just leave it for HOURS!!!

Just adding one more important point: You need to let your employer know before taking any additional PFL time, preferably in writing. While EDD handles the benefit payments, your employer needs to approve your leave time. They can't legally deny your right to take PFL, but they do need proper notification according to their specific policies.

To correct some misinformation above - the proper form for PFL is indeed the DE 2508 form (Claim for Paid Family Leave Benefits), not the DE 2501F. The DE 2501 form is for Disability Insurance claims. Also, when you submit for your remaining weeks, make sure you clearly specify the exact dates you want to take off - this helps prevent confusion and processing delays.

hey so when you go back to take those extra weeks make sure u file like at least 2 weeks before u wanna start!!! i waited til the last minute and had to go like 3 weeks with no pay while they processed it even tho its supposed to be my money!!! edd is so slow

I'm so glad you found a way to check your balance online! Just wanted to add that you can also see your benefit usage by looking at your EDD Payment History and filtering by "PFL" - it shows each payment with dates which can help you calculate how many weeks you've used. Also, since you mentioned your husband's job stress and childcare struggles, you might want to consider spacing out those remaining 3 weeks strategically - like taking one week now and saving the other 2 for when you really need them later in the year. The flexibility is one of the best parts of PFL!

Welcome to the PFL community! As someone who just went through this process myself, I can totally relate to the confusion and frustration with EDD's system. It sounds like you've gotten some great advice here already about checking your Claim History. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or print out that page showing your remaining balance - I did this and it was super helpful when I had to reference it later while filling out the DE 2508 form for my remaining weeks. Also, since you mentioned being sleep deprived (totally get it!), it might be worth setting a calendar reminder for yourself about when you want to use those remaining 3 weeks so you don't accidentally let them expire. The year goes by so fast with a new baby! Good luck with everything and congratulations on your little one!

Ana, I'm so glad you were able to find your remaining balance! Just wanted to share a quick tip that helped me when I used my remaining PFL weeks - when you do submit that DE 2508 form for your remaining 3 weeks, make sure to keep copies of everything you submit. I learned this the hard way when EDD claimed they never received my paperwork (even though I submitted it online). Having those copies saved me weeks of back-and-forth. Also, since you mentioned childcare struggles, you might want to look into whether your employer offers any dependent care assistance programs - some companies have partnerships with local daycares or offer flexible spending accounts for childcare that can help stretch your budget while you're figuring everything out. Hang in there mama, the first year is tough but you're doing great!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying about the EDD website being confusing! I went through this same situation last year with my son and it took me forever to figure out where to find my remaining balance. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my PFL usage - I listed each week I took off, the dates, and how much I got paid. That way I could double-check against what EDD was showing online. Also, since you mentioned your husband's job getting stressful, you might want to consider if he's eligible for any PFL time too if he hasn't used it yet - sometimes having both parents coordinate their leave can really help with childcare logistics. The whole system is overwhelming when you're already exhausted from a new baby, but you're definitely not alone in feeling confused by it all!

Hey Ana! As a fellow new mom who went through this exact same confusion, I just wanted to say you're doing amazing navigating all this bureaucracy while sleep deprived! I see you found your remaining 3 weeks - that's such a relief! One thing I learned the hard way is to also check if your company has any "baby bonding" or parental leave policies that might supplement your EDD benefits. Some employers offer additional paid time or will let you use vacation/sick time to "top off" your PFL payments since they're only 60-70% of your regular salary. Also, definitely take advantage of those 3 weeks being non-consecutive - I used mine strategically around holidays and my partner's busiest work periods. The whole first year is such a whirlwind, but having that extra time with your little one when you really need it is so valuable. You've got this mama! 💕

Hey Ana! Just wanted to jump in as someone who literally just went through this same process a few months ago. I'm so glad you found your remaining balance - 3 weeks is awesome! One thing I wish someone had told me is that when you're ready to use those weeks, you can actually combine them with any accrued vacation time if your employer allows it, which can help make up for the reduced PFL pay rate. Also, since you mentioned struggling with childcare, you might want to check if your area has any sliding scale daycare programs or if there are other new parent support groups in your community - sometimes they share resources and tips that can really help. The whole EDD system is such a nightmare to navigate when you're already overwhelmed with a new baby, but you're clearly on top of it now! Don't hesitate to reach out here if you run into any issues when you go to use those remaining weeks - this community has been super helpful for troubleshooting EDD problems. Congratulations on your little one and hang in there - it really does get easier!

Ana, I'm so happy you were able to figure out how to check your remaining balance online! As a working mom who also struggled with EDD's confusing website, I totally feel your frustration. Since you found you still have 3 weeks left, I wanted to share something that really helped me - when I used my remaining PFL weeks, I actually split them up based on my family's needs rather than my work schedule. For example, I saved one week for when my baby got sick and needed extra care, and another for when my regular childcare fell through unexpectedly. The flexibility of being able to use them non-consecutively was honestly a lifesaver during that chaotic first year. Also, make sure to document everything when you submit your DE 2508 forms - I kept a folder with copies of all my submissions and confirmations, which saved me when EDD lost my paperwork once. You're doing great navigating all this while sleep deprived - the first year is tough but having those extra weeks as a safety net will give you some peace of mind!

Hey Ana! I just wanted to chime in as another sleep-deprived mom who's been through the EDD maze. I'm so glad you found your remaining 3 weeks - that's such a relief! I had a similar situation last year where I thought I'd used all my PFL time but discovered I had 2 weeks left hiding in my claim history. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through my EDD account so I'd get notifications about any claim updates or payment processing. It saved me from constantly checking the website wondering if my paperwork went through. Also, since you mentioned your husband's work stress, I'd definitely encourage you to look into whether he's eligible for his own PFL time - California allows both parents to take bonding leave, and even if his employer isn't super supportive, they legally can't deny him the right to use it. The coordination between both of your leaves could really help during this tough period. You're doing an amazing job juggling everything - new parenthood is no joke, especially when you're dealing with bureaucratic nightmares on top of it all!

Ana, congratulations on your little one and I'm so glad you were able to find your remaining PFL balance! As someone who also navigated the EDD system as a new parent, I completely understand the frustration with their phone system - it's absolutely terrible. Since you discovered you still have 3 weeks available, I wanted to share a tip that really helped me: consider keeping a simple calendar or planner specifically for tracking your PFL usage and deadlines. I marked down when I took each week, when I submitted forms, and set reminders for important dates like the one-year deadline. It helped me stay organized when my brain was total mush from sleep deprivation! Also, since you mentioned struggling with childcare and your husband's work stress, you might want to look into local parent groups or mom groups in your area - they're often great resources for childcare recommendations, emergency babysitting swaps, and just general support during those overwhelming early months. The fact that you can use those remaining weeks flexibly throughout the year is such a blessing - you'll figure out the perfect timing for your family's needs. You're doing great mama, even when it doesn't feel like it!