Can I still take PFL after getting a pregnancy disability extension from my doctor?

yes u can still take all ur bonding time after disability ends. i had pre-eclampsia and was on disability for like 12 weeks total (4 before birth + 8 after) and then did all 8 weeks PFL after that. its 2 different benefits.

The previous poster is correct. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) are completely separate benefits. Your disability can be extended by your doctor for as long as medically necessary (with proper documentation), and it won't affect your eligibility for the full 8 weeks of PFL for baby bonding. Here's how it typically works: 1. Pregnancy Disability: Begins when your doctor certifies you can't work due to pregnancy (usually 4 weeks before due date but can be earlier) 2. Post-birth Disability: Typically 6 weeks for vaginal delivery, 8 weeks for C-section, but can be extended with medical certification 3. PFL Baby Bonding: Full 8 weeks available after disability ends Make sure your doctor completes the extension paperwork properly on the DE2501 form to avoid any gaps in benefits.

I had the same question when I was pregnant last year!! My sister told me that PFL and disability are totally different things so I would get both but then my coworker said her cousin only got partial PFL after extended disability so I got all worried too. But turns out my sister was right! I had gestational diabetes and was put on bed rest at 32 weeks, then had an emergency c-section with complications so my disability was like 14 weeks total I think? And I still got my entire 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL after that. The EDD website is super confusing!!

Yes, you absolutely can take your full 8 weeks of PFL after your disability extension ends. These are separate benefits under different programs, even though they're both administered by EDD. One important thing to note - make sure there's no gap between when your disability ends and your PFL begins. You'll need to file your PFL claim (DE2508 form) before your disability ends to ensure continuous payment. I recommend filing it about 5-7 days before your disability is scheduled to end. Also, if your doctor extends your disability, the extension needs to be submitted and approved before your initial disability period ends. Otherwise, your claim could close and it becomes more complicated to reopen.

im sorry but this is wrong info!!! my friend just went thru this and she lost some of her bonding time becuz of the extension! they only give u a total of 14 weeks combined or something, its all counted together now

I went through this exact situation last year! Had pregnancy complications, was put on disability at 30 weeks, then had a c-section with a wound infection that extended my disability to almost 12 weeks post-delivery. I was worried too, but I still got my FULL 8 weeks of PFL after my disability ended. The most frustrating part was trying to get through to EDD to confirm this. I spent HOURS calling their number just to get disconnected or wait on hold forever. Finally I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 10 minutes. They have this callback service that somehow gets you past the EDD phone system. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The agent confirmed that disability extensions don't affect PFL eligibility at all. Just make sure your doctor documents everything properly!

also make sure u file ur pfl claim before ur disability runs out!! i waited til after and had a 2 week gap with no money coming in it sucked

Just to clarify a technical point: When calculating your benefit amount for both disability and PFL, EDD uses the same base period earnings. However, they are separate entitlements with separate maximum durations. For 2025, your weekly benefit amount can be up to $1,684 (this increases slightly each year). This amount would apply to both your disability and PFL periods, assuming your earnings qualify you for the maximum. One final tip: Keep detailed records of all your communications with EDD. Take notes during phone calls with the date, time, and name of the representative, and save copies of everything you submit online or by mail. This documentation can be invaluable if there are any issues with your claim.

Hey Mei! I just went through this exact situation 6 months ago and wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease your worries. I had high blood pressure issues starting at 36 weeks and ended up on extended disability for 10 weeks total (started early + complications after delivery). I was SO stressed about whether I'd lose my bonding time, but I got every single day of my 8 weeks PFL after my disability ended! The key things that helped me: 1. My doctor was really thorough with the medical documentation on all the forms 2. I filed my PFL claim about a week before my disability was set to end (learned this from this community actually!) 3. I kept calling EDD to confirm everything was processing correctly One thing I wish someone had told me - even though the benefits are separate, make sure you understand how they transition. My disability technically "ended" on a Friday and my PFL started the following Monday, so there was no gap in payments. Also, don't let anyone tell you there's some combined limit - that's absolutely not true. You get what you're entitled to under each program separately. Hope this helps and congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 💕