Do I need to file a new claim for PFL baby bonding after my SDI maternity leave ends?

You DO need to file a separate claim for PFL baby bonding! They're two different programs even though they're both through EDD. Your SDI is for your own medical recovery after childbirth, but PFL is specifically for bonding. I just went through this in January. About a week before my SDI ended, I filed my PFL claim through the same EDD online portal where you manage your SDI claim. Look for the option to file a PFL claim - it should be there. Don't wait until your SDI actually ends or you might have a gap in payments.

u dont need anything from ur doctor for baby bonding. its diff from the disability part. i jst needed to upload my babys birth cert when i did mine but that was last year so idk if its changed

You absolutely need to file a new claim! I learned this the hard way and ended up with a 3-week gap between my disability ending and my PFL starting because I thought it was automatic. The EDD website is SO CONFUSING. I called them like 20 times before I got through to someone who explained everything to me. File your PFL claim at least 10 days before your disability ends.

I just completed my entire leave process in February (SDI followed by PFL), and I want to clarify something important - while you DO need to file a separate claim for PFL, you should know that it's technically called a "TRANSITION" from SDI to PFL if you're going from pregnancy disability to baby bonding. This can affect when and how you file. Here's what to do: 1. File your PFL claim about 7-10 days before your SDI ends 2. You'll need your baby's birth certificate (or hospital document showing DOB) 3. When filing, make sure to indicate you're transitioning from SDI 4. The start date for your PFL should be the day after your SDI ends If you do this correctly, there should be no gap in payments. The system recognizes this as a common transition and expedites processing. Good luck!

The EDD system is a DISASTER. I was on hold for 3 HOURS last year trying to fix my transition from SDI to PFL because the website kept crashing when I tried to file online. Then they told me I submitted something wrong and had to start over. California talks about supporting new parents but then makes us jump through ridiculous hoops while we're sleep deprived with newborns!!! My advice: document EVERYTHING, screenshot EVERYTHING, and start calling them the SECOND anything looks wrong with your claim.

To answer your question about benefit amounts - yes, your weekly benefit amount should be exactly the same for PFL as it was for your SDI. They're calculated the same way based on your base period wages. The only difference is the duration (SDI for pregnancy is typically 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type, while PFL for baby bonding is 8 weeks that you can take all at once or split up).

Yes, you can split up your PFL baby bonding time! You have 12 months from your baby's birth to use all 8 weeks. You can take it in increments as small as 1 day if your employer approves. Just remember that each time you want to claim a new portion of your PFL, you need to submit a new claim form for that specific period. Many parents save some PFL time for holidays or when their partner goes back to work. The only requirement is that you take it within that first year.