Can I get EDD PFL for caring for sick family member abroad? 8 weeks needed

Yes, you can absolutely apply for PFL for an out-of-country family member! I did this last year when my mother in Mexico needed care after cancer surgery. Here's what you need to know: - The location of your family member doesn't matter for PFL eligibility - You'll need the DE2501F form completed by your uncle's doctor - Foreign medical documentation needs to be translated to English - Get your uncle's medical records certified with a proper stamp/signature One challenge: the form may be unfamiliar to foreign doctors, so I recommend having a video call to explain what they need to document and why. Start the application process ASAP because international mail can delay things.

just make sure ur uncle is considered a "family member" under california law...not all relatives qualify...pretty sure its parents, kids, spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparents, grandkids, siblings, and parents-in-law

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but uncles are NOT covered family members for California PFL. The exact list is: - Child (including adopted, foster, step, or legal ward) - Parent (including in-laws, adoptive, foster, or stepparent) - Spouse - Registered domestic partner - Grandparent - Grandchild - Sibling Unfortunately, uncles don't qualify. You might want to check with your employer about other leave options like FMLA (though that's unpaid) or ask about a personal leave of absence.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS SO RIDICULOUS!!!!! Why do they get to decide which family members "count"?? What if your uncle raised you? What if he's your only family? The government shouldn't be telling us who qualifies as family we can care for. I had a similar issue when my aunt needed care - I was basically her daughter but NOPE, not eligible because we don't have the "right" relationship on paper. It's INFURIATING!!

I'm so sorry I gave incorrect information about eligibility. I was thinking of my mother, not realizing uncles don't qualify. One option to consider: does your uncle have any qualifying relationship to you other than uncle? For example, if he legally adopted you at any point, or if he's also your godparent with legal status? Sometimes there are technical relationships that might qualify.

When I needed to reach EDD about a similar situation (caring for my grandmother in Colombia), I spent DAYS trying to get through on the phone. Someone recommended Claimyr to me and it was a huge help. Their service got me connected to an EDD agent in 20 minutes instead of calling for hours. I was able to get clear answers about my international documentation requirements. I'd recommend checking them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 showing how it works. Even though your uncle doesn't qualify, they might help you figure out alternative programs or options faster than trying to reach someone on your own.

It really did work for me! I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying for 3 days. Got connected within about 25 minutes. The agent was able to explain exactly what documentation I needed for my international claim. Saved me a ton of stress.

Have you considered checking if your employer offers any compassionate leave? My company has a policy where you can take up to 4 weeks for family emergencies that aren't covered by PFL. It's only half pay but better than nothing. Also some companies let coworkers donate PTO - my friend's office did this when she needed to care for her cousin after an accident. Also I think I read somewhere that California is considering expanding the definition of family members for PFL but it hasn't happened yet. Typical bureaucracy moving so slow!

Just so you know all your options: 1. FMLA/CFRA - unpaid but job-protected for up to 12 weeks if you qualify 2. Employer compassionate leave policies (varies by company) 3. Accrued PTO/vacation time 4. Unpaid personal leave of absence 5. Short-term disability IF you have a separate policy (won't cover family caregiving though) For documentation, I recommend getting a detailed letter from your uncle's doctor explaining the condition, surgery details, recovery timeline, and specifically why a caregiver is medically necessary. Have it translated officially. This will help with any type of leave request.

my company let me work remote when my grandma was sick in mexico...any chance u can do ur job from argentina for those 8 weeks?

I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's condition and the stress you're dealing with. It's tough when family needs help but the system doesn't recognize all the relationships that matter to us. Since PFL won't cover your uncle, I'd suggest creating a plan with multiple income sources for those 8 weeks. Here's what worked for a friend in a similar situation: 1. Use all accrued PTO first (full pay) 2. Ask about unpaid FMLA to protect your job 3. Set up a partial remote work arrangement if possible 4. Look into a personal loan or family assistance for the gap Also, have you considered if your uncle might qualify for any local home care services in Argentina? Sometimes having professional help for part of the day can reduce the full-time care burden on family members. The remote work angle mentioned above is really smart - even if you can only work 15-20 hours a week while there, that's still some income coming in. Good luck with everything, and I hope your uncle's surgery goes well!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your uncle. It's heartbreaking when family needs help but bureaucratic definitions don't match real relationships. Since PFL won't cover uncles, here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: **Talk to HR about:** - Compassionate leave policies (many companies have these) - FMLA/CFRA for job protection (unpaid but keeps your position) - PTO donation programs from coworkers - Flexible work arrangements **Financial planning:** - Calculate exactly how much income you'll lose over 8 weeks - See if you can work remotely even part-time from Argentina - Look into personal loans or family assistance if needed - Check if your uncle's insurance covers any home care services there **Documentation to get anyway:** - Detailed medical letter from his cardiologist about the surgery and recovery needs - Official translation of all medical documents - Timeline showing why 8 weeks of care is medically necessary Even though PFL won't work, having this documentation will help with any other leave requests. Some companies are more flexible when they see legitimate medical need, even if it's not covered by state programs. Wishing your uncle a successful surgery and recovery. You're a good person for wanting to be there for him.

Hey Malik, I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's diagnosis. What a tough situation to be in, especially finding out PFL won't cover uncles. I went through something similar when my brother-in-law needed care overseas. One thing that really helped was getting a detailed cost breakdown of what those 8 weeks would actually cost me vs. what I could potentially earn/save through different arrangements. Here's what I'd suggest doing this week: - Calculate your exact lost income for 8 weeks - Find out if Argentina has good internet infrastructure where your uncle lives (most major cities do) - Ask your manager about working 25-30 hours remotely while providing care - Get quotes for any home healthcare services available there Also, don't forget to check if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - they sometimes offer financial counseling or emergency assistance funds that could help bridge the gap. The remote work + partial PTO approach that others mentioned really could work. Even earning 60-70% of your normal income is way better than zero, and you'd still be there for your uncle when he needs you most. Hope his surgery goes smoothly and you can figure out a workable plan!

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition - that must be incredibly stressful for you and your family. While it's disappointing that PFL doesn't cover uncles, I wanted to share a few additional thoughts that might help: **International considerations:** - Check if there are any tax implications for working remotely from Argentina for 8 weeks - Look into travel insurance that covers extended stays for caregiving - Research what medical translation services are available in Buenos Aires if you need help communicating with doctors **Alternative funding sources:** - Some credit unions offer low-interest personal loans specifically for family emergencies - Check if your employer has any employee hardship funds or grants - Look into crowdfunding platforms if you're comfortable with that approach **Caregiver support:** - Connect with expat communities in Buenos Aires through Facebook groups - they often have great advice about navigating healthcare and services there - Consider if other family members could rotate visits to share the caregiving load The combination approach everyone's suggesting (remote work + PTO + unpaid leave) really does seem like your best bet. Even if you can only work 20 hours a week while there, that's still significant income. Your uncle is lucky to have someone who cares enough to figure all this out for him. Wishing you both the best during this difficult time!

I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. What a difficult situation to navigate, especially with the distance and financial concerns on top of the medical stress. Since you've learned that uncles aren't covered under PFL, I wanted to suggest one more angle that might help: have you checked if your state has any emergency family leave programs beyond PFL? Some states have additional provisions for medical emergencies that might have different eligibility requirements. Also, when you talk to HR about remote work possibilities, you might want to propose a specific schedule - like working Argentina's morning hours (which would be late night/early morning California time) so you can be available for your uncle during his recovery periods during the day. This could show your employer you've thought through the logistics. One practical tip for the medical documentation: even though you won't need it for PFL, having everything properly translated and organized will help with any employer-based leave requests. It shows you're serious about the medical necessity. Your uncle is fortunate to have someone willing to go to such lengths to care for him. I hope you can piece together a solution that works financially and that his surgery goes smoothly!

I'm really sorry about your uncle's heart condition - that's such a stressful situation to be dealing with, especially with the distance involved. While it's frustrating that PFL doesn't cover uncles, I wanted to mention something that might help with the financial planning: some employers have "catastrophic leave banks" where employees can donate unused sick days to coworkers facing family emergencies. It's different from regular PTO donation and specifically designed for situations like yours where someone needs extended time off for serious medical situations. Also, if you do end up working remotely from Argentina, make sure to get everything in writing from your employer about the arrangement - how many hours, which days, time zone expectations, etc. This protects both you and them if any questions come up later. One more thought: Buenos Aires has excellent private healthcare options if your uncle needs any additional support services during recovery. The costs are generally much lower than US healthcare, so even paying out of pocket for things like physical therapy or home nursing visits might be more affordable than you'd expect. I hope you can piece together a workable plan and that your uncle's surgery goes well. It's clear how much you care about him, and I'm sure having you there will make a huge difference in his recovery.

I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. This is such a tough situation - wanting to be there for family but facing financial uncertainty on top of the medical stress. Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you've got some solid options to explore. The remote work + PTO combination seems like it could really work, especially if you can set up a schedule that works with the time difference. One thing I didn't see mentioned - have you looked into whether your company offers any kind of sabbatical or leave of absence program? Some employers have policies for situations exactly like this where you need extended time for family care that doesn't qualify for FMLA/PFL. They're often unpaid but might give you more flexibility than standard leave policies. Also, when you're talking to your uncle's doctors about the medical documentation, it might be worth asking them about the typical recovery timeline and what level of care is actually needed each week. Sometimes the first 2-3 weeks require intensive caregiving, but weeks 4-8 might be more about companionship and light assistance. This could help you negotiate a gradual return to more work hours as his recovery progresses. I hope his surgery goes smoothly and you can find a solution that works for everyone. Your uncle is lucky to have someone who cares this much!

I'm so sorry about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. This whole thread has been really eye-opening about the limitations of PFL and all the creative solutions people have found. One additional resource I wanted to mention: if you're part of any professional associations or unions, they sometimes have emergency assistance funds for members facing family crises. It's worth checking if you have any memberships that might offer financial support. Also, since you mentioned your Spanish is decent, you might want to reach out to your uncle's hospital's patient services department directly. Many hospitals in major cities like Buenos Aires have patient coordinators who speak English and can help explain what support services are available for international family members. They might know about local organizations that help with caregiving or even temporary housing near the hospital. The combination approach everyone's suggesting really seems like your best bet - remote work, PTO, and employer flexibility programs all working together. It's amazing how this community has come together to brainstorm solutions for you. Your uncle is so lucky to have someone willing to figure all this out to be there for him. Keeping both of you in my thoughts for a successful surgery and smooth recovery! 🙏

I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. What a difficult position to be in - wanting to care for family but facing these bureaucratic limitations. Reading through this thread, I'm struck by how many people have faced similar situations where the "official" family definitions don't match real relationships. It's frustrating that the system doesn't recognize how family actually works for many people. That said, the combination approach everyone's suggesting sounds really promising. I'd add one more thing to consider: if your company has a flexible PTO policy, you might be able to "borrow" against future vacation time to extend your paid leave. Some employers allow this for medical emergencies, especially if you've been there for 3 years and have a good track record. Also, when you do talk to your uncle's medical team, ask specifically about the post-surgery care timeline. Heart surgery recovery can vary a lot, and having a detailed week-by-week breakdown of care needs will help you negotiate a more realistic remote work schedule with your employer. Your uncle is fortunate to have someone who cares enough to navigate all this complexity for him. I hope his surgery goes well and you can piece together a financial solution that works. Keep us updated on how it goes with HR!

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. This thread has been incredibly helpful in showing both the limitations of the system and all the creative alternatives available. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: have you considered reaching out to the Argentine consulate or embassy? They sometimes have resources or contacts for US citizens who need to provide care for family members in Argentina. They might know about local support services, have connections with English-speaking healthcare coordinators, or even have information about other Americans who've navigated similar situations. Also, since you'll potentially be there for 8 weeks, it's worth looking into temporary resident services in Buenos Aires. Some cities have programs specifically designed to help international visitors who are there for extended medical care situations - things like discounted temporary housing near hospitals, transportation services, or even volunteer companion programs that could give you breaks from caregiving duties. The remote work + PTO + company flexibility approach really seems like your best path forward. Having all these backup plans and resources will make you feel much more prepared when you talk to HR. Your uncle is so lucky to have someone willing to go to these lengths for him. Hoping for a successful surgery and smooth recovery for both of you!

I'm really sorry to hear about your uncle's heart condition, Malik. This has been such an informative thread about the limitations of PFL and all the creative workarounds people have found. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking if your employer has any partnerships with international employee assistance programs. Some larger companies have agreements with global EAP providers that offer support services for employees dealing with family emergencies abroad - things like translation services, local care coordination, or even emergency financial assistance. Also, you might want to look into whether your health insurance has any international coverage or resources. While it won't cover your uncle's care, some plans have nurse hotlines or care coordination services that work internationally and could help you understand what to expect during his recovery process. The combination approach everyone's suggesting (remote work + various leave options + employer flexibility) really does seem like your best bet. Having talked to HR departments about similar situations, I think showing up with a detailed plan that demonstrates you've thought through all the logistics will go a long way toward getting approval. Your uncle is so fortunate to have someone who cares enough to research all these options and plan so thoroughly. I hope his surgery goes smoothly and you can put together a solution that works for everyone. Please keep us posted on how your HR conversation goes!