Can my fiancé use EDD PFL to care for me during medical procedures? Doctor documentation needed?

Yes, your fiancé can absolutely apply for PFL to care for you! Marriage isn't required - domestic partners, parents, siblings, and even in-laws qualify. Here's what you need to know: 1. Your doctor needs to complete the medical certification portion of the DE2501F form, stating you require care for your medical condition. 2. The doctor should indicate the full period you'll need care (the 2 weeks for procedures plus any recovery time). 3. Your fiancé will need to file a claim online or by mail and specify he's taking leave to care for a family member. 4. He'll need to provide proof of relationship - since you're not married yet, this might require additional documentation proving you live together. The benefit covers about 60-70% of his wages, up to a maximum. He can take the full two weeks continuously or break it up if needed.

my brother took pfl to care for me last yr when i had surgery. the doctor filled out a form but EDD kept saying it wasnt enough info. took us calling like 15 times to get it sorted out. make sure dr is SUPER specific about why ur fiance needs to be there (driving u, helping with meds, etc). good luck!!

The PFL application process is so frustrating!! I tried helping my mom with her cancer treatments last year and waited on hold with EDD for HOURS trying to get answers about my claim status. Total nightmare. I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual EDD rep in under 10 minutes (seriously saved my sanity). Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 or website claimyr.com if you run into problems reaching EDD. Your fiancé might need to call them multiple times during this process, especially if there are any issues with the doctor's certification.

Doesn't he need to use up all his sick leave first before going on PFL? My HR told me I had to use all my vacation days before EDD would pay anything when I cared for my grandfather.

Just went through this with my partner (we're also not married). Here's what worked for us: 1. Had the doctor complete form DE2501F with SPECIFIC dates and care needs 2. Applied online through SDI Online (same system for PFL) 3. Submitted proof of relationship (joint lease, utility bills in both names) 4. Got approval within 10 days Make sure your fiancé tells his employer at least a few days before taking leave - some companies require more notice. Also important: PFL provides wage replacement but doesn't guarantee job protection. If his company has 20+ employees, he should also file for CFRA leave (California Family Rights Act) protection simultaneously.

What exactly is the difference between PFL and SDI? I'm so confused by all these programs. Is one better than the other for your situation? I couldn't figure out which one to use when my mom was sick.

When I applied for PFL last year, they kept rejecting my application because the doctor didn't use the EXACT WORDING EDD wanted on the form. So frustrating!!! Make sure your doctor writes that you need "care" specifically, not just that you're having procedures. The form should say you need assistance with "daily living activities" or something similar. If they just write that you're having medical procedures without specifying the need for care, EDD will deny it 100%.

my wife got pfl to help me after surgery and the money came like 2 weeks after she applied just fyi

I just remembered something important! Make sure your fiancé continues certifying every two weeks while on PFL. A lot of people miss this step and then have payment delays. He'll get instructions on how to certify online or by mail once his claim is approved.

I went through a similar situation when my partner needed care after multiple medical procedures. One thing that really helped us was creating a simple timeline document for the doctor that showed exactly when each procedure was scheduled and what type of care would be needed on which days. This made it much easier for the doctor to fill out the DE2501F form accurately. Also, don't stress too much about the "family member" requirement - California has pretty broad definitions and domestic partners definitely qualify. The key is having good documentation of your shared household (joint bills, lease, etc.). Wishing you both the best with the procedures and the PFL application process!

Just want to echo what others have said and add a couple practical tips from my experience helping my sister navigate PFL for her husband's cancer treatments: 1. Apply ASAP once you have the doctor's form - there's no waiting period, but processing takes time and you want benefits to start when the leave begins. 2. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. EDD sometimes "loses" paperwork and you'll need to resubmit. 3. Your fiancé should inform his employer about both PFL (wage replacement) AND potentially FMLA/CFRA (job protection) - these are separate but can run concurrently. 4. If EDD requests additional documentation after the initial application, respond immediately. Any delay can pause your entire claim. The brain fog from neurological conditions is so real - maybe have your fiancé handle most of the paperwork side while you focus on preparing for your procedures. You've got this! The system is confusing but totally doable with the right documentation.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my partner! One thing I learned that might help you is that you should definitely have your fiancé apply at least 2-3 weeks before the procedures if possible. While there's no official waiting period for PFL, the processing time can vary a lot depending on how complete your initial application is. Also, when you see your new neurosurgeon, it might be worth asking if their office has experience with disability/PFL forms. Some medical offices have staff who are really familiar with what EDD needs, which can save you from having to resubmit paperwork later. My partner's doctor's office actually had a checklist they use for these forms! One more tip - make sure your fiancé saves the confirmation number when he submits the application online. You can use it to track the claim status, which is super helpful when you're dealing with brain fog and trying to keep track of everything. The online portal is actually pretty user-friendly once you get familiar with it. Hope your procedures go smoothly and the PFL process is straightforward for you both! 💜