Do EDD PFL payments require bi-weekly certification or are they automatic for 8 weeks?

You definitely DO need to certify for PFL payments, just like with SDI. They'll send you notices (either by mail or in your online account) every two weeks to certify. The certification for PFL is pretty simple though - basically just confirming you're still bonding with your child and haven't returned to work. Make sure you complete these certifications promptly to avoid payment delays.

omg no they dont auto pay!! my friend thought that last yr and missed 2 weeks of payments bc she didnt certify. total nightmare with a new baby and no $$$

I just finished my PFL baby bonding period in January 2025, so here's the exact process: Yes, you do need to certify every two weeks, but it's MUCH simpler than SDI certification. You literally just confirm you're still on leave bonding with your baby and haven't returned to work. Pro tip: Set calendar reminders on your phone for certification days. The EDD online portal shows your next certification date on your homepage when you log in. I set reminders for 2 days before each certification opened so I wouldn't forget while dealing with newborn chaos. The certification window is typically 10 days, but don't wait - do it the first day it's available for fastest payment.

Anyone else find it RIDICULOUS that we have to keep certifying for a fixed benefit period that's already been approved? I mean, it's 8 weeks, we already proved we had a baby, what exactly do they think changed?? Just another way EDD makes our lives harder during an already stressful time! My certification link didn't even work properly the first time and caused a payment delay. OF COURSE this happened during the one time in my life I'm trying to care for a newborn while recovering from childbirth.

I went thru this in November and had such a headache with certifications! The EDD website kept timing out when I tried to certify and then my payment was delayed. After trying for 2 days to get thru on the phone (kept getting disconnected after waiting 2+ hours), I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep in under 25 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 that shows how it works. Totally worth it to get my certification issue fixed and payment released instead of stressing with a newborn. Their website is claimyr.com if you run into problems.

Im on week 6 of PFL right now and I've been certifying every 2 wks just like with disability. One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure ur phone number is updated in the EDD system because sometimes they do random identity verification calls before releasing payments!!! This happened to me on my 2nd certification and because I didn't answer (didn't recognize the number) my payment was delayed for 3 days until I called them back. So frustrating!!!!!

Just to add one more important detail - if you're planning to split your PFL time (like taking 4 weeks initially and saving 4 weeks for later), you'll need to file a new claim for each period. The certification process starts over with each new claim period. Many parents don't realize this and assume they can just pause and resume their original claim.

When I was on PFL last month my neighbor told me we dont have to certify anymore but that was WRONG! Thank god I checked my online account and saw the certify button or I would have missed out on money we needed badly. So yes definitely certify every 2 weeks!

I'm a new mom who just went through this process a few months ago! Yes, you absolutely need to certify every two weeks for PFL - it's not automatic at all. The good news is that the PFL certification is much easier than SDI - you basically just confirm you're still bonding with your baby and haven't returned to work. My advice: Log into your EDD account the day your certification opens (usually every other Sunday) and do it right away. Don't wait! I made the mistake of putting it off once and almost forgot completely. Also, bookmark the EDD login page on your phone so you can easily access it during those middle-of-the-night feeding sessions when you might remember "oh shoot, I need to certify tomorrow!" The payments usually hit your account 2-3 business days after you certify, so you can plan your budget around that timeline. Congrats on your upcoming baby bonding time - it goes by so fast, but those payments really help make it possible to focus on your little one instead of worrying about money!