Can I file new PFL claim while pregnant with $406 left in current claim balance?

This is a bit complicated but I can help break it down. Since you're still within the same benefit year, you can't start a brand new claim until that year ends. However, what you CAN do is transition from your current disability claim to a new Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) claim when your baby arrives, and then to PFL baby bonding after that. You'd use form DE2501 for the new pregnancy disability portion. Make sure your doctor documents your delivery date and recovery period. Then file DE2508 for the baby bonding portion about 1-2 weeks before your recovery period ends.

sammme thing happened to meee last year!!! i had like $500 left and then had baby. you can DEFINITELY get new claim but not til after u deliver. my doc filled out new paperwork at hospital right after i had my daughter and i got benefits the whole time! good luck mama!!

you actually CAN'T file a new claim until your benefit year is over, which is 12 months from when you filed the first claim. anyone telling you different doesn't know what they're talking about. EDD system is rigid on this.

When I had my baby last year, I ran into something similar. What you need to understand is that pregnancy disability and baby bonding are TWO SEPARATE THINGS! The system is SO confusing! You get up to 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after birth (depending on delivery type) for DISABILITY. Then you get 8 weeks of BABY BONDING (the PFL part). Have you been trying to call EDD? I spent DAYS trying to get through before I found out about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD rep in like 10 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The rep explained my whole situation and helped me sort out my claims. Totally worth it when you're pregnant and stressed!

You need to contact EDD directly and explain your specific situation. Here's what you should know: 1. Your current claim has a benefit year (12 months from filing) 2. Within that year, you can have multiple disability periods for different medical events 3. Childbirth is considered a new disability period even if it's in the same benefit year 4. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your highest-earning quarter in your base period If you've exhausted most of your claim and haven't been working, your new claim after delivery might have a lower weekly benefit amount. But yes, you CAN file a new claim for disability after childbirth, then transition to PFL baby bonding. Also, keep in mind that for 2025, you get 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding time.

The whole system is DESIGNED to be confusing so people give up! I went through this last year and wasted WEEKS trying to figure it out. EDD's website is useless and their phone lines are a joke. I had $212 left on my claim when I delivered and they made me use that up completely before starting a new claim. Then they took FOREVER to process the new claim and I was without money for almost a month! Make sure you file the new disability claim THE DAY you deliver to minimize gaps.

One correction to my earlier response: the amount remaining on your current claim doesn't actually matter much. What matters is: 1. You're still in your benefit year for your current claim 2. You're about to experience a new disability event (childbirth) After delivery, your doctor will certify a new disability period (typically 6 weeks for vaginal delivery, 8 weeks for C-section). This gets processed as a continuation within your existing claim but with the new medical information. I recommend filing form DE2501 again right after delivery, clearly indicating this is for post-delivery recovery. Once that recovery period ends, immediately file your DE2508 for PFL baby bonding. The key is to not have gaps between these claims.

when my friend had her baby she got a doula and the doula knew ALL about the edd stuff and helped her fill out everything right! maybe look into that? worth every penny she said!!!

just use up ur $406 and file for welfare until baby comes. thats what i did. its not worth the headache with EDD.