Can I use baby bonding PFL after being terminated while on disability?

Yes, you CAN file for baby bonding PFL even if your employment terminates! The important thing is that you were employed and paid into SDI during your base period (5-18 months before your claim). Your right to PFL benefits isn't dependent on current employment status when you file. You have up to 12 months from your child's birth to use your baby bonding time.

my sister got fired while on maternity leave last year and still got her full baby bonding pay from edd. its not thru ur job its thru the state so dont worry about it

I'm a benefits counselor, and I can confirm you're eligible for PFL baby bonding even if terminated. However, there are some important technical details to understand: 1. You should file for baby bonding PFL immediately after your disability claim ends (the system should prompt you) 2. Make sure there's no gap between your disability end date and PFL start date 3. Your benefit amount will be the same as your disability payments 4. You WILL lose job protection if terminated (normally CFRA/FMLA would protect your job during baby bonding) 5. Document everything from your employer in writing If you're having trouble reaching EDD to discuss your transition from disability to PFL, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that connects you directly to an EDD agent without the usual hours of waiting. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. This transition period is exactly when you need clear answers from an actual EDD representative.

I went thru something similar in January. My employer actually terminated me while I was still on disability for pregnancy complications. I transitioned to baby bonding without any problems. Just make sure your doctor submits the final disability certification correctly showing your recovery date, and then immediately submit your DE2508 form for PFL baby bonding. Oh and apply for unemployment after your baby bonding ends! Since you didn't quit voluntarily you'll likely qualify.

This is exactly why California's system is SO BROKEN!!!! They make it impossible to understand what you're entitled to and when. I spent HOURS on hold with EDD when transitioning from disability to baby bonding last year. Then they "lost" my DE2508 form TWICE!!! Had to resubmit everything and went 6 weeks with NO INCOME while taking care of a newborn. The whole system is designed to make you give up!!!

To answer your follow-up question about timing: Ideally, you should start the baby bonding application process about 1-2 weeks before your disability claim ends. The online system allows you to specify the start date for baby bonding, which should be the day after your disability ends. This ensures a smooth transition without gaps. One other thing to consider: while you can get PFL benefits after termination, you might want to consult with an employment attorney about the termination itself. Depending on your situation, there could be potential FMLA/CFRA violations if your employer is of sufficient size (20+ employees for CFRA or 50+ for FMLA).

My friend went through this whole mess in 2024 and what nobody tells you is that sometimes EDD automatically starts the transition process from disability to PFL and sometimes they don't! It's totally random! When her disability claim was ending, she got a message in her EDD account asking if she wanted to transition to baby bonding. But my sister never got that message and had to call like 40 times to get it fixed. Also, don't forget that baby bonding is only 60% of your salary not the full amount! I got caught by surprise with that part.

I'm actually going through this EXACT situation right now!! My employer terminated me after 16 weeks of disability leave (I had severe preeclampsia and then postpartum complications). I just started my baby bonding PFL last week without any issues. BUT make sure you download and save ALL your disability payment history before your account status changes!! For some reason, once you switch to PFL, sometimes the disability payment history disappears from your account and you might need that for tax purposes later!!