Can I work a second job while receiving PFL baby bonding benefits for 12 weeks?

This is a bit of a gray area with EDD PFL. Technically, PFL is for bonding with your newborn, so working elsewhere could be seen as contradictory to the purpose of the leave. The EDD could potentially view this as fraud if they determine you're not actually bonding with your child during that time. Your primary employer might also have policies against outside employment while on leave.

i did this last yr during my pfl for my twins. just dont tell anyone lol. no1 ever checked on me or asked what i was doing with my time. as long as ur actual employer doesnt find out ur probably fine

The answer depends on who's paying your PFL benefits. If you're receiving PFL through California EDD, you need to report any wages earned during your claim period, even from a different employer. Your weekly benefit amount may be reduced by the amount you earn. If you're receiving paid leave through your employer's private plan (not CA EDD), then you need to check your employer's specific policy - some prohibit outside employment while on leave. Either way, I recommend getting clarification in writing before proceeding. The consequences of misreporting could be serious.

This question comes up alot on here!!! Most people don't understand there's a BIG difference between company-provided paid leave and state PFL benefits. They have totally different rules: 1) If your 12 weeks is actual STATE PFL (California pays you directly) - you must report ANY income you earn anywhere else and your benefits get reduced 2) If your 12 weeks is COMPANY paid leave (your company still pays your salary) - then it's governed by your company policy, not state law Find out which one you have FIRST before making any decisions!!!

When I was on PFL with my daughter last year, I tried calling EDD like 50 times to ask almost this exact question! Literally impossible to reach anyone. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for HOURS. So frustrating when you just need a simple answer!!

After reading through this thread, here's what you need to know definitively: 1. If you're receiving benefits through CA EDD's Paid Family Leave program: - You must report ALL income earned during your claim period - Your weekly benefit amount will be reduced if you work part-time - Working full-time makes you ineligible for benefits that week 2. If you're receiving company-paid leave: - You must follow your company's policy on outside employment - Many employers prohibit outside work while on paid leave - Violating policy could result in termination The safest approach is to talk to your HR department about your specific situation. Some employers have flexibility for limited outside work during leave, especially if it doesn't interfere with the purpose of bonding leave.

my cousin works at edd and says lots of ppl do side jobs during baby bonding time but just dont report it. its not like they have time to investigate everyone

Something nobody mentioned yet - if your baby is only napping like 30-45 mins at a time (which is totally normal for newborns!!), you might find it IMPOSSIBLE to actually get any meaningful work done anyway! Most new parents way underestimate how all-consuming a newborn is. Maybe wait until your baby arrives before committing to any additional work? Just my 2 cents as someone who thought I'd be productive during my baby's naps and BOY WAS I WRONG!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year. I was also tempted to do some freelance work during my PFL bonding leave, but after talking to a benefits attorney (my company provided free legal consultation), I learned that the definition of "bonding" is pretty strict. The EDD considers bonding time as being primarily focused on caring for and developing attachment with your newborn - not supplementing income. Even if you think you can multitask, they could argue that working shows you're not fully dedicated to the bonding purpose. I ended up waiting until after my leave ended to take on extra work, and honestly, I'm glad I did because those first few months were way more demanding than I expected. The financial stress is real, but the penalties for benefit fraud can be much worse than the temporary income loss.

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I'd strongly recommend erring on the side of caution here. I was in a similar position last year - tight finances with a new baby and the temptation to pick up some remote work during PFL. After doing a lot of research and talking to my HR department, I learned that the key issue isn't just about reporting income (which you absolutely must do), but about the fundamental purpose of bonding leave. The EDD and your employer approved this leave specifically for you to bond with your newborn, not to supplement your income. Even 10-15 hours a week could be seen as contradictory to that purpose. Plus, speaking from experience, newborns are incredibly unpredictable - those "nap times" you're counting on might not happen consistently enough to make contract work feasible anyway. If you're really concerned about finances, I'd suggest looking into other resources like WIC, local food banks, or family assistance programs rather than risking your PFL benefits. The peace of mind of following the rules correctly is worth more than the potential extra income, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of a new baby.

I went through something similar when my daughter was born in 2023. I was really tempted to do some consulting work during my PFL leave because we needed the extra money, but I'm so glad I decided against it. Here's what I learned: even if you think you can handle working while the baby naps, the reality is that newborns are completely unpredictable. Some days my daughter would only nap for 20 minutes at a time, and I was so exhausted I could barely think straight, let alone do quality work. Beyond that, the EDD takes the "bonding" aspect of PFL very seriously - it's not just about being home with your baby, it's about being fully present and available for their needs. If you're stressed about meeting work deadlines or checking emails, you're not really bonding. My advice would be to apply for WIC if you qualify, look into local diaper banks or baby supply assistance programs, and maybe see if family can help with groceries or utilities for a few months. The financial stress is real, but violating PFL rules could leave you much worse off financially if you have to pay back benefits plus penalties. Focus on your baby and your recovery - you'll have plenty of time to earn extra income once your leave is over!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to share what I learned when I had similar questions during my PFL leave in 2024. The biggest thing that helped me was actually calling the EDD's PFL customer service line and getting clarification directly from them about my specific situation. Yes, the wait times are brutal (I waited 3+ hours), but it was worth it to get an official answer rather than guessing or relying on unofficial advice. What they told me was that PFL bonding benefits are specifically designed for you to be available to care for and bond with your newborn - not to supplement income. Even if you report the additional earnings (which you must do), working during bonding leave can be seen as inconsistent with the purpose of the benefit. They also mentioned that they do conduct periodic reviews and audits, especially if there are red flags in your claim. My suggestion would be to call EDD directly with your specific situation before making any decisions. Get their guidance in writing if possible (maybe follow up with an email summarizing what they told you). The financial pressure with a new baby is real, but the consequences of getting this wrong could be much more expensive in the long run. Good luck with your new arrival!

I'm a new parent who just went through this decision process a few months ago, and I wanted to add another perspective. After reading all the great advice here, I ultimately decided against doing any side work during my PFL leave - and I'm really glad I made that choice. Beyond all the valid concerns about EDD rules and potential fraud issues, what really surprised me was how much I needed that mental bandwidth for bonding and adjusting to parenthood. Even though I thought I'd have "downtime" during naps, I found myself using that time to sleep, do basic household tasks, or just decompress from the intensity of caring for a newborn 24/7. If you're worried about finances (totally understandable!), I'd suggest looking into whether your area has any new parent support programs. Our local library had a "baby basics" program that provided free diapers and formula samples, and our pediatrician connected us with a local organization that helps new families with grocery gift cards. Sometimes churches and community centers have resources too, even if you're not a member. The 12 weeks will go by faster than you think, and then you'll be in a much better position to take on additional work if you need to. For now, focus on following the PFL rules correctly and enjoying this special time with your baby!

I'm a new community member who's been researching PFL rules extensively, and I wanted to share what I've learned from multiple sources. The key distinction everyone should understand is between State Disability Insurance (SDI) work restrictions and PFL bonding leave requirements. With PFL bonding benefits, you're not considered "disabled" so technically you CAN work - but you must report ALL earnings, which will reduce your weekly benefit amount dollar-for-dollar. However, the bigger issue is that EDD evaluates whether you're truly using the leave for its intended purpose of bonding with your newborn. Here's what I found in the official EDD guidelines: if you're working regularly during PFL, they can determine you're not actually bonding and may deny future benefits or require repayment. The safest approach is to treat bonding leave as exactly that - dedicated time for bonding without other work commitments. If finances are tight, consider these alternatives: apply for CalFresh (food stamps), WIC for baby nutrition support, utility assistance programs through LIHEAP, and local diaper banks. Many hospitals also have financial assistance programs for new parents. These resources can bridge the gap without jeopardizing your PFL benefits.

As someone who just completed their PFL bonding leave last month, I want to echo what many others have said here - those first 12 weeks with a newborn are so much more intense than you can imagine beforehand! I also initially thought about doing some freelance writing during nap times, but I quickly realized that between feeding every 2-3 hours, diaper changes, trying to get any sleep myself, and just learning how to care for my baby, there was absolutely no mental capacity left for quality work. The advice about looking into WIC, CalFresh, and local assistance programs is spot-on. I was amazed at how many resources are available for new families that I didn't know about. Our local community center had a "new parent pantry" with free diapers, wipes, and baby clothes, and the hospital where I delivered connected us with a program that provided meal delivery for the first two weeks home. One thing that really helped our finances was meal planning before the baby arrived and stocking up on non-perishables when they were on sale. We also set up a baby registry even though we weren't having a shower - friends and family loved being able to contribute specific items we needed. Trust me, you'll want to use every moment of that leave for recovery, bonding, and adjusting to your new life. The work opportunities will still be there in 12 weeks, but this precious time with your newborn won't come again!

I'm a new parent currently navigating this exact situation, and after reading through all these responses, I think the consensus is pretty clear - it's just not worth the risk. I was initially considering some remote data entry work during my upcoming PFL leave, but seeing how many people emphasize that EDD takes the "bonding purpose" seriously has really changed my perspective. What really convinced me was learning about the dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction - if I'm earning $200/week from side work, my PFL benefits get reduced by $200/week, so I'm not actually coming out ahead financially. Plus the stress of potentially having to pay everything back with penalties if EDD decides I wasn't truly bonding sounds way worse than just tightening our budget for 12 weeks. I'm definitely going to look into WIC, CalFresh, and local assistance programs that several people mentioned. It sounds like there are more resources available for new parents than I realized. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding both the official rules and the practical reality of caring for a newborn!

I'm a new member here and currently pregnant with my first baby, due in July. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I was actually considering doing some online tutoring during my PFL leave since I'm a teacher and thought it would be easy money during "downtime." But after reading everyone's experiences, especially about the dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction and the bonding purpose requirements, I'm completely changing my plans. The reality check about newborn sleep schedules and energy levels really hit home - I think I was being way too optimistic about having predictable free time. And the point about EDD potentially viewing regular work as contradictory to bonding makes total sense when you think about it. I'm definitely going to look into WIC, CalFresh, and those local assistance programs everyone mentioned. Does anyone know if there are specific resources for teachers or education workers during family leave? My district has been pretty vague about what support is available beyond the basic PFL benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this has probably saved me from making a costly mistake!

I'm new to this community and currently expecting my first baby in August. This entire discussion has been so valuable - thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! I was initially planning to do some freelance graphic design work during my PFL leave, thinking I could work during naps and evenings, but reading through all these responses has completely changed my perspective. The point about the dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction really sealed it for me - there's essentially no financial benefit to working if my PFL gets reduced by the same amount I earn. Plus, hearing from multiple parents about how unpredictable and exhausting those first few months are with a newborn makes me realize I was being way too optimistic about having reliable work time. I had no idea about resources like WIC, CalFresh, and local assistance programs for new families. I'm definitely going to research what's available in my area instead of trying to juggle work during what should be dedicated bonding time. The peace of mind of following PFL rules correctly and not worrying about potential audits or penalties seems much more valuable than any extra income. Thanks especially to those who shared the reality of newborn care - it sounds like every minute of that 12-week leave is going to be needed for adjustment, recovery, and bonding. I'm excited to focus entirely on my new role as a parent!

I'm a new member here and currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you to everyone who shared such detailed experiences and advice! I was seriously considering doing some part-time bookkeeping work during my upcoming PFL leave, thinking it would be manageable with a "flexible" schedule, but after reading all these responses I realize I was completely underestimating the reality of newborn care. The explanation about dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction was a real wake-up call - I hadn't understood that working would essentially cancel out the financial benefit of PFL. Combined with the risk of EDD viewing regular work as inconsistent with bonding purposes, it's just not worth it. I'd rather follow the rules properly and avoid any potential audit issues or benefit repayments. I'm definitely going to look into WIC, CalFresh, and local assistance programs instead. My partner and I are also planning to meal prep and stock up on essentials before the baby arrives, based on the great suggestions here. It sounds like those 12 weeks are going to be much more intense and precious than I originally thought - I want to be fully present for bonding rather than stressed about work deadlines. Thanks to this community for helping me make an informed decision. Better to be financially cautious for a few months than risk serious consequences down the road!

I'm a new community member and currently expecting my first child in May. This discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I was actually considering doing some remote customer service work during my PFL leave, thinking it would be simple enough to manage from home, but after reading through everyone's real experiences, I've completely changed my mind. The key points that convinced me: 1. The dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction makes it financially pointless 2. EDD's focus on the "bonding purpose" could lead to serious consequences if they determine you're not truly dedicating time to your newborn 3. Multiple parents confirming that newborns are way more demanding and unpredictable than expected I had no idea about all the assistance programs available - WIC, CalFresh, diaper banks, community center resources. This seems like a much better approach than risking PFL violations. I'm also going to follow the advice about meal prepping and stocking up on supplies before the baby arrives. Thank you to everyone who shared their honest experiences and practical advice. This thread has probably saved me from making a costly mistake! It's clear that those 12 weeks should be treated as sacred bonding time, not an opportunity to multitask with work.