Can my child's father get PFL baby bonding after being laid off? Denied unemployment but still paid into SDI

Yes, your son's father CAN apply for PFL baby bonding even though he was recently laid off! This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Paid Family Leave. As long as he has earned at least $300 in wages during his base period that were subject to SDI contributions, he should be eligible. The base period is the 5-18 months before he files his claim. It sounds like he was working and paying into SDI during that time, so he should meet this requirement. The fact that he was denied unemployment doesn't automatically disqualify him from PFL. These are separate programs with different eligibility requirements. He'll need to file using the DE2508 form and will need to provide proof of relationship to the child (birth certificate). I'd recommend he apply ASAP since he only has 12 months from your child's birth date to take the baby bonding leave.

pretty sure he can aplly 4 pfl but benefit amount mite be lower. my cousin did this last yr aftr gettin laid off. took him like 3 weks to get aproved tho so tell him 2 aplly NOW

I went through this EXACT situation in 2023! My employer downsized when my daughter was 3 months old. I was denied unemployment but successfully received PFL baby bonding. The important thing to understand is that PFL benefits are calculated based on his highest-earning quarter during the base period. So yes, he'll still get benefits, but they might be lower than if he was currently employed at his highest wage. Here's what I learned: 1. File the DE2508 form online through the EDD portal for fastest processing 2. When it asks for employer info, he should put his most recent employer even though he was terminated 3. Be prepared for EDD to potentially contact that employer to verify his last day 4. He should answer YES to the question about being ready and able to work (this confused me) 5. The system may automatically flag his claim for review which can add 2-3 weeks to processing time My biggest tip: Call EDD if his claim doesn't move from pending to processing within 7 days. Their phone system is awful though.

CAREFUL!!!!! The EDD gives such conflicting info about this!!! When my partner tried this last year, his claim was initially DENIED because the rep said he needed to be "attached to the labor market" (whatever that means??). We had to appeal and provide proof that he was actively looking for work while doing baby bonding. The rules are supposedly that you only need to have paid into SDI during your base period, BUT some EDD agents don't understand their own rules and will deny valid claims!!! Make sure he documents EVERYTHING and gets names of anyone he speaks with. The system is broken and designed to deny benefits!!!!!

Just wanted to add that I took PFL baby bonding after being laid off too. What nobody mentioned yet is that he needs to have his doctor complete Section B of the DE2508 form. And technically he should apply for baby bonding BEFORE his last day of work but it sounds like that ship has sailed. In my experience they didn't make a big deal about it but just wanted to mention that detail. Also, if he's planning to appeal his unemployment denial, he should know that if he wins the appeal later, he can't receive both benefits for the same period. But he could get unemployment for weeks he wasn't on PFL.

my hubby did this!! yes he can get PFL even after being fired! as long as he paid into SDI within the last 18 months he qualifies! but the benefits are based on a percentage of what he earned during his highest-paid quarter in the base period so might be less money than he hopes lol the EDD system for PFL is actually way better than unemployment in my experience... they didn't give us any hassle about him being unemployed when he applied. took about 10 days to get approved and then another week to get the first payment on the debit card good luck with your little one!! those first few months are so precious 💕

My bff just went through this and found out there's actually a HUGE mistake people make... if he applies for Unemployment first and then PFL, sometimes the computer system gets confused. Because technically you have to be "able and available to work" for unemployment but you're saying you're NOT available to work for PFL since you're caring for a baby. The EDD computers sometimes flag this as fraud even though it's totally legal to transition from one program to another! Make sure if he calls that he explains clearly he was denied unemployment and is now applying for a completely different benefit. And get EVERYTHING in writing!