EDD PDL extension for C-section delay - Should I still file PFL baby bonding with original date?
I'm in a weird situation with my maternity benefits and could use some advice! I was initially approved for PDL (Pregnancy Disability Leave) for a normal delivery, but ended up needing an emergency C-section. My doctor mailed in the certification to extend my PDL by 2 additional weeks about a month ago, but I haven't seen any payment or update in my account yet. Here's where I'm confused - my baby bonding PFL was supposed to start on 4/23/2025 (right after my original PDL would have ended), but now I don't know what to do since I haven't received the extended PDL benefits yet. Should I go ahead and submit my PFL claim with the original start date, or wait until EDD processes my PDL extension first? I'm worried about creating a gap in benefits if I wait too long, but also don't want to mess everything up by overlapping claims. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? This is my first baby and I'm already exhausted trying to figure out all this paperwork while recovering from surgery!
17 comments


Yuki Sato
First, congratulations on your baby! For your situation, you should NOT file your PFL baby bonding claim with the original date. You need to wait until your PDL extension is processed, then file PFL with the new date (which would be 2 weeks after your original end date). If you file with the original date, it will create an overlap with your extended PDL and potentially cause problems with both claims. The delay in processing your extension is unfortunately normal right now. EDD is taking 3-4 weeks to process medical extension certifications. Since it's been about a month, I'd recommend calling them to check on status.
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Ethan Wilson
•Thank you! That makes sense. I was so worried about creating a gap, but I see how overlapping could be worse. I've been trying to call EDD for 3 days straight and just get the automated message saying they're experiencing high call volume. It's so frustrating!
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Carmen Flores
The same exact thing happend to me last yr! Had emergency c-section and dr sent in extention paperwork. My advice: dont wait to file your PFL claim!! File it now but put the START DATE as the day after your extended PDL period ends. So if your original PDL was supposed to end 4/23 and you got 2 more weeks, make your PFL start date 5/7. EDD will process both correctly even if the extention isnt showing up in your account yet. I waited and ended up with a 2 week gap of no pay bc they're so slow :/
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Ethan Wilson
•Oh that's so helpful to know! I'll fill out the DE2508F form tonight and put 5/7 as the start date. Did you have any issues with them processing it that way? I'm paranoid they'll deny it because my extension isn't officially approved in their system yet.
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Andre Dubois
I work as an HR benefits specialist, and I can confirm what the previous poster suggested. You should absolutely file your PFL claim now, but with the adjusted start date that accounts for your 2-week PDL extension (so approximately 5/7/2025). Here's why: 1. The EDD systems for PDL and PFL can communicate with each other internally 2. Your doctor's certification for the extension is already in their system even if it hasn't been processed 3. Filing with the correct dates now prevents potential gaps in payment 4. If there's any issue, EDD will contact you to adjust dates rather than denying outright One thing to be aware of: when you file your PFL claim, include a brief note in the comments section explaining that you had a C-section and your doctor submitted an extension for your PDL period. This helps ensure the claims examiner connects the two claims properly.
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Ethan Wilson
•Thank you for this detailed explanation! I didn't know I could add comments to my PFL claim - that's super helpful. I'll definitely include a note about the C-section and extension. Such a relief to get expert advice!
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CyberSamurai
i had my baby in january and still having problems with edd!!! they never answer the phone its IMPOSSIBLE. i filed my pfl after my c-section and they denied it saying it overlapped with my disability even tho my doctor sent all the right paperwork. now im fighting to get backpay for 6 weeks and no one will help me
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•OMG that's my biggest fear! Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to an actual EDD agent? I was in a similar mess with my claim and spent days trying to get through. Someone here recommended claimyr.com and it actually worked - they got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 It's the only way I finally got my PDL extension sorted out after my csection. The EDD agent was able to see my doctor had submitted everything and manually pushed it through.
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Ethan Wilson
UPDATE: I called EDD this morning (used the service that @CaliforniaMom3 recommended and it actually worked!). The rep confirmed they received my doctor's certification for the C-section extension but it's still in the processing queue. She said to go ahead and file my PFL claim with the May 7 start date and include a note about the C-section extension. She also put a note in my file linking the two claims. Thank you all for your help - I would have definitely done this wrong without your advice!
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Jamal Carter
•Great news! This actually makes me wonder if I had a similar issue. My PDL ended 2 weeks ago and I filed for baby bonding right away, but haven't received any payments. Maybe I should call them too. How much longer did they say your extension would take to process?
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Ethan Wilson
•The rep said my extension should be processed by next week, so about 5 weeks total from when my doctor submitted it. She mentioned they're super backed up right now because of some system changes. Definitely call to check on your baby bonding claim! The rep told me they're prioritizing claims where people call in (which seems unfair but good to know).
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Mei Liu
srsly why is edd so confusing?? i swear its designed to make us give up. i had a c-section last year and never got the extension because noone told me i could even get extra time! now i see this post and realize i was entitled to 2 more weeks??? thanks california 🙄
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Yuki Sato
•Unfortunately, that's a common issue. Many doctors don't automatically inform patients about the additional 2 weeks for C-section recovery. For future reference (or for others reading this thread), standard PDL for vaginal delivery is 6 weeks, while C-section is 8 weeks. If you transition from one to the other during delivery, your doctor needs to submit updated medical certification. Always best to speak with your doctor and HR department to ensure you're receiving all entitled benefits.
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Carmen Flores
One more thing that helped me - I printed out a calendar and marked all my leaves on it: - Purple: PDL regular leave - Blue: PDL extension for C-section - Green: PFL baby bonding I brought this to my doctor appointment and my HR meeting so everyone was on the same page about dates. I also kept track of which forms were submitted when and who I talked to at EDD. Made a huge difference in getting everything straightened out!
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Ethan Wilson
•This is brilliant! I'm definitely doing this today. Between the baby brain fog and sleep deprivation, I can barely remember what day it is, let alone keep all these EDD dates straight. Thank you for the practical tip!!
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Aisha Khan
•@Carmen Flores That calendar idea is genius! I m'a new mom dealing with my first EDD claim and feeling so overwhelmed with all the paperwork and deadlines. I ve'been keeping everything in my head which clearly isn t'working with the lack of sleep. Definitely going to create a visual timeline like this - it sounds like it would help me stay organized and make sure I don t'miss anything important. Did you use any specific colors or symbols to track when forms were submitted vs when you got responses?
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Amara Okafor
•@Aisha Khan Yes! I used different symbols too - I put a ✓ when I submitted forms, a ⏳ when they were processing, and a ✅ when I got confirmation/payment. For tracking responses, I used red text for any issues or denials, and green for approvals. I also wrote down confirmation numbers and the names of EDD reps I spoke with right on the calendar. It saved me so much stress because I could see exactly where things stood at a glance instead of trying to remember everything. The visual really helps when you re'exhausted!
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