Can I file for EDD PFL baby bonding after being laid off? Post-C-section timing question

yep u can still claim those 8 wks of bonding time! u get a full year from babys bday to use them. Just gotta file before the layoff happens tho

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. You can claim PFL baby bonding within 12 months of your child's birth, but there are important considerations in your situation: 1. You need to be employed OR actively looking for work while on PFL 2. You should file BEFORE your last day of work if possible 3. Your employer doesn't have to approve it if you haven't been there 12 months (as you noted) 4. You'll still qualify for the full 8 weeks of baby bonding benefits I'd recommend filing immediately through SDI Online and then informing your employer. The key is timing - get that claim submitted before the layoff happens. This way the bond between you and your employment is still intact when the claim begins.

Thank you for the clarification! I'm going to file tonight. Do you know if I need any special documentation from my doctor since I already completed my pregnancy disability leave? And what happens if I get laid off in the middle of my baby bonding leave? Will they terminate my benefits?

I was in a similar situation last year except I was 5 months postpartum when I got laid off. I had taken my disability after birth but not my bonding time yet. I called EDD like 20 times and couldn't get anyone to answer my questions!! Nobody picked up and when I did get through once they transferred me and I got disconnected. So frustrating when you're trying to figure out benefits with a baby at home!!

APPLY IMMEDIATELY!!! EDD will find ANY reason to deny you. I filed for baby bonding after being laid off (waitied 1 week after my last day) and they denied me saying I wasn't employed. Such garbage. They don't care about parents AT ALL. File before your last day and screenshot EVERYTHING in case they try to deny you later.

I want to add something important that others haven't mentioned. If you do get laid off, you should also apply for unemployment benefits (UI) after your PFL baby bonding period ends. You cannot collect UI and PFL at the same time, but you can receive them consecutively. Example timeline: 1. File for PFL baby bonding before layoff (do this immediately) 2. Receive 8 weeks of PFL benefits 3. After PFL ends, apply for UI benefits (which can last up to 26 weeks in California) This maximizes your benefits during this difficult transition. Also, document the layoff carefully - make sure you get written confirmation it's due to company downsizing (not performance) so there's no issue with your UI claim later.

when I had my baby last year I had to switch between all these benefits and lemme tell you its CONFUSING! my HR person kept saying different things than EDD and I just gave up trying to understand it all lol. But I did get my money eventually even with all the confusion so hang in there!!

UPDATE: I just submitted my PFL claim through SDI Online! The website was glitchy (of course 🙄) but I got it done. I'm planning to tell my manager tomorrow that I'm taking baby bonding leave starting next week. I'm nervous about the timing since the layoff notices are supposed to go out soon. Hoping this works out! Thanks everyone for your advice - will update when I hear back from EDD.

Smart move getting that claim filed! I went through something similar when my company had layoffs right after I had my second baby. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you keep checking your SDI Online account regularly after you submit. Sometimes they need additional documents or have questions, and if you don't respond within their timeframe, they'll deny your claim automatically. Also, since you mentioned you only worked there 9 months, double check that you've been paying into SDI (it should show on your paystubs as "SDI" deduction). If you were paying in, you're golden. The good news is baby bonding PFL is way more straightforward than pregnancy disability - no medical forms needed, just your baby's birth certificate. Fingers crossed the timing works out and you get approved before any layoff drama happens!

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through almost the exact same thing! I was 3 months postpartum when my startup laid off half the company. I had also used my pregnancy disability but not my bonding time yet. I filed for PFL baby bonding literally 2 days before my last day of work and it saved me. Got approved within a week and received the full 8 weeks of benefits. The key things that worked for me: 1) Filed while still employed (even though I knew layoffs were coming), 2) Had all my documents ready (birth certificate, etc.), 3) Kept detailed records of everything. After my PFL ended, I was able to transition to unemployment benefits seamlessly. It gave me almost 4 months total to job hunt while bonding with my baby. The timing was a blessing in disguise honestly - I got to spend that precious time with my little one that I might not have taken otherwise due to work pressure. You did the right thing filing when you did! Wishing you the best with your claim approval.

One thing to keep in mind - if you do get laid off during your PFL baby bonding period, make sure you understand how it affects your job search requirements. Technically you're supposed to be available for work while on PFL (which seems contradictory since you're bonding with baby, but that's CA law for you). If you get laid off mid-PFL, don't immediately file for UI - wait until your PFL period ends completely. I made the mistake of trying to file for both and it created a mess with EDD that took weeks to sort out. Also, save every email and document from your employer about the layoffs. Having proof it was company downsizing (not performance-related) will make your eventual UI claim much smoother. You're handling this really well given the circumstances!

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation - pregnant now but my company has been hinting at potential restructuring after I deliver. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening about the timing requirements for PFL claims. The fact that you have to file while still employed is something I never would have known! One question for those who've been through this - if you're on PFL baby bonding and get laid off during that period, do you still need to do the bi-weekly certifications like you would for regular unemployment? Or is the PFL certification process different? I want to make sure I understand all the requirements in case I end up in a similar boat. Also @Miguel - really smart move filing when you did. Hope everything works out with your claim approval and that you get to enjoy that bonding time with your little one without the stress of the layoff hanging over you!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently 6 months postpartum and just started a new job last month after being unemployed since my baby was born. Reading through everyone's experiences makes me realize I completely missed out on my baby bonding PFL benefits because I didn't even know they existed back then. I was so focused on trying to find work that I never looked into what benefits I might have qualified for. For anyone else reading this - definitely do your research on all available benefits BEFORE you need them! I wish I had known about the 12-month window for baby bonding claims. Now I know for if/when we have another baby. Miguel, you're so smart for asking these questions and acting quickly. Hope your claim gets approved smoothly!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR and deals with these situations regularly. A few additional tips that might help: 1. When you tell your manager about taking baby bonding leave, frame it as a legally protected benefit you're entitled to, not a request. You've already filed the claim, so you're just giving notice. 2. If your company tries to accelerate your layoff because you're taking PFL, that could potentially be retaliation - document everything! 3. Make sure your health insurance situation is sorted out. If you're laid off during PFL, you'll likely need to elect COBRA coverage to maintain benefits during your leave period. 4. One thing people don't always realize - your PFL benefits are taxable income, so don't spend 100% of what you receive. Set aside about 20-25% for taxes. The fact that you acted quickly and filed while employed was absolutely the right move. I've seen too many people miss out on benefits because they waited until after termination. Hoping for a smooth approval process for you!

As someone who went through a similar layoff situation while navigating maternity benefits, I just want to emphasize how crucial the timing was in your case. You made the absolute right call filing immediately! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your company offers any severance package when the layoffs happen, make sure to review it carefully. Some severance agreements have clauses about benefit usage that could potentially affect your PFL claim, though this is rare. Also, if they offer any extended health coverage as part of severance, that could help bridge the gap before COBRA kicks in. The emotional aspect of dealing with layoffs while you have a young baby is so hard. Try to remember that you've done everything right by being proactive and protecting your benefits. That baby bonding time will be precious regardless of the work situation, and having that financial cushion from PFL will give you breathing room to find the right next opportunity. Rooting for a quick approval on your claim!