Can I get EDD PFL for supporting family after international bereavement?

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've actually been through something similar when my father passed away in Germany. \n\nYes, you CAN potentially qualify for EDD Paid Family Leave for this situation, but it's considered under the

Thank you so much for this information. I didn't realize I would need to frame it as caregiving for my husband rather than general family bereavement. He has been seeing his doctor for anxiety issues already, so getting the medical certification might be possible. Do you know if we can use a telehealth appointment for this certification or does he need to see the doctor in-person?

im pretty sure bereavement isnt covered by EDD, dont waste ur time. my boss gave me 3 days when my grandpa died thats all ur entitled to in california

That's not entirely accurate. While bereavement itself isn't covered, if grief leads to a diagnosable condition requiring care, that CAN qualify under PFL caregiving benefits. The 3 days you're referring to is California's mandatory bereavement leave, which is different from PFL benefits.

So sorry about your mother-in-law. When my sister died last year, I went through HELL trying to reach someone at EDD to figure out what I qualified for. I kept getting disconnected after waiting for HOURS!!!! So frustrating when you're already dealing with grief.\n\nI finally used Claimyr to get through to someone (claimyr.com). They connected me to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. The rep explained exactly what paperwork I needed for my situation. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5\n\nMight be worth it to get accurate info for your specific situation rather than guessing or getting the runaround from HR.

Does this actually work? I've been trying to call EDD for 2 weeks about my maternity leave claim and can't get through to anyone!!

It worked for me! I was skeptical but desperate. Got through to someone who actually knew what they were talking about and cleared up my confusion. Much better than the automated system that kept hanging up on me.

I work in HR and handle leave administration. Here's what you need to know about your situation:\n\n1. EDD PFL for caregiving requires caring for a seriously ill family member with a medical certification\n\n2. Grief alone doesn't qualify, but if your husband develops depression, anxiety disorder, or another diagnosable condition requiring care, you could qualify\n\n3. Your husband's doctor must complete the medical portion of the DE2501F form stating he needs your care\n\n4. International travel is allowed during PFL as long as you're providing care\n\n5. You should also apply for FMLA/CFRA job protection separately from PFL benefits\n\n6. You need to have contributed to SDI through payroll deductions to qualify\n\n7. Application should be submitted within 41 days of when you begin providing care\n\nI recommend getting the medical certification process started immediately if your husband's mental health is suffering.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you. My husband has a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I'll ask about getting the DE2501F completed. I didn't realize FMLA/CFRA was separate from PFL - do I need to submit both applications simultaneously or can I do PFL first?

You'll want to submit both around the same time. FMLA/CFRA is handled through your employer and protects your job, while PFL is through EDD and provides wage replacement. They work together but are separate processes with different paperwork. Tell your HR department specifically that you need FMLA/CFRA paperwork for family caregiving leave.

When my mom died I tried to get this and ended up just using vacation time because nobody could give me a straight answer about whether I qualified or not. The whole system is a nightmare and EDD never answers their phones. Honestly it's probably easier to just take unpaid leave if you can afford it than deal with the bureaucracy.

I disagree! While the system can be frustrating, PFL benefits are literally YOUR MONEY that you've been paying into through SDI deductions. If you qualify, you absolutely should claim these benefits - it's not a handout, it's an insurance program you've been funding. Don't leave money on the table if you're legally entitled to it.\n\nThe key is documenting everything properly. Based on what the OP described, if her husband is diagnosed with depression/anxiety due to grief and needs her care, she has a legitimate claim. The paperwork is annoying but worth it for potentially thousands of dollars in benefits during a difficult time.

Update: I spoke with my husband's doctor today and he was very understanding. He's diagnosed my husband with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression following his mother's death. He's completing the DE2501F certification stating that my husband needs my care, especially during the upcoming UK trip to clear out his childhood home. \n\nI've also talked to HR again and they're sending me the FMLA/CFRA paperwork. I'll be applying for 6 weeks of PFL starting next week.\n\nThank you all for your help and guidance through this difficult time. I'll update once I hear back from EDD about my claim status.

That's great news! Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. Take screenshots of online confirmations too. The most common delay in these situations is EDD claiming they never received documentation. I'd also recommend checking your claim status online every few days once you've submitted everything.

hope it works out for u! sorry bout ur mother in law

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Going through this while navigating bureaucracy is incredibly difficult. Just wanted to add that when you submit your PFL application, make sure to clearly document the caregiving activities you're providing for your husband - things like helping him manage daily tasks he's struggling with due to his condition, accompanying him to medical appointments, and providing emotional support during the estate settlement process. EDD sometimes asks for specifics about what "care" looks like. Also, since you mentioned multiple trips to the UK, you might want to include a brief note explaining that the caregiving includes helping him handle his mother's affairs overseas, as this directly relates to his diagnosed condition. The international aspect shouldn't disqualify you as long as you're actively providing care. Wishing you and your family strength during this difficult time. The fact that his doctor was understanding and provided the proper diagnosis is a huge step forward.