EDD PFL Debit Card Delay After Approval - Do I Need to Request a New One?
My claim for baby bonding PFL was approved last week (yay!) and I got the award letter in the mail showing my weekly benefit amount ($1,400). The letter mentioned payment would be on the EDD debit card, but I haven't received a new card yet. I previously had an EDD card from a short disability claim in 2021, but that expired back in January 2025. Will they automatically send me a new card for this PFL claim, or do I need to call and request one? It's been 9 days since the approval letter came, and I'm getting nervous about bills coming due. Anyone know the typical timeline for getting the new card?
20 comments

Esmeralda G贸mez
They should automatically send you a new card! But heads up - it can take 7-10 business days after approval. I just went through this in February. Bank of America handles the EDD debit cards, and they're notoriously slow. If you had a previous card from 2021, they'll definitely send you a new one since it's expired. They don't reuse expired cards even for the same person. Check your online EDD account - if it shows payment issued, that means they've processed it and the card is on its way.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
AuthorThanks! My online account does say "payment issued" as of three days ago. I'll give it a few more days before I panic.
0 coins
Klaus Schmidt
did u check ur online account status? sumtimes the card comes after the payment already hits. my wife's PFL got approved but the notice came a week after the payment was already issued. u could have $ waiting for u rite now
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
AuthorYes, it shows "payment issued" but I have no way to access it without the card. Frustrating!
0 coins
Aisha Patel
The bank sends new cards automatically for expired ones, but in my experience with 2 different PFL claims, it takes EXACTLY 10 business days after the first payment is issued. Never 9, never 11. It's actually pretty consistent. You might want to set up direct deposit for future payments though - it's much faster than waiting for the card!
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
AuthorThat's reassuring to hear it's so consistent! I'll look into setting up direct deposit once I have access to my account. I didn't see that option when I was applying.
0 coins
LilMama23
You should call EDD to confirm they have your correct mailing address. When I did baby bonding last year, they had my old address from a previous claim even though I'd updated it in the system. The first card got sent to my old address and I had to wait another 2 weeks for a replacement. Don't assume everything is working correctly in their system! Also, once you get the card, you can transfer the money to your regular bank account using the B of A prepaid card website.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
AuthorThat's a good point! I did move since my last claim, though I updated my address when I filed. I'll double check that they have the right one.
0 coins
Dmitri Volkov
im confused... isn't baby bonding for moms? why is a guy getting this benefit? not judging just never heard of men getting this before
0 coins
LilMama23
PFL baby bonding is for ANY parent - moms, dads, adoptive parents, etc. All can get up to 8 weeks of paid leave in California to bond with a new child. Pregnancy disability is only for the person who gives birth (for recovery from childbirth), but baby bonding is for all parents!
0 coins
Gabrielle Dubois
I went through this EXACT situation in January! So frustrating!!! If your online account shows payment was issued and it's been more than 10 business days, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual EDD agent. I spent FOUR DAYS trying to reach someone before I found them. It's a service that connects you with EDD without the endless busy signals and disconnects. Cost me a bit but saved me weeks of waiting - I found out they had sent my card to the wrong address! Check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 or their website claimyr.com - much better than pulling your hair out hitting redial all day!
0 coins
Klaus Schmidt
did this actualy work??? i tried calling EDD like 50 times for my wife's claim and always got disconnected
0 coins
Gabrielle Dubois
Yes! I was super skeptical but they got me through to EDD in about 25 minutes after I'd been trying for days. Agent confirmed my card was sent to wrong address and fixed it right away.
0 coins
LilMama23
One important thing to know: Bank of America and EDD are separate entities. If there's an issue with your card specifically (like it got lost in the mail or you need a replacement), you need to call B of A at 1-866-692-9374, not EDD. But if there's an issue with your claim or payments not being issued, that's an EDD matter. People often waste time calling the wrong department!
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
AuthorThat's super helpful to know! I'll wait a few more days, and if nothing arrives, I'll try Bank of America first since it sounds like the payment has been issued.
0 coins
Tyrone Johnson
This system is so incredibly broken. I had to wait THREE WEEKS for my card after approval. THREE WEEKS of calling and begging to find out where my money was while bills piled up. And don't even get me started on the ridiculous fees Bank of America charges if you don't use their ATMs. The whole debit card system is designed to extract fees from desperate parents who just want their benefits. Why can't California join the modern world and use direct deposit for everyone like regular employers do????
0 coins
Esmeralda G贸mez
You can actually set up direct deposit! Log into your EDD account once you have card access, go to payment preferences, and choose the direct deposit option. I switched after my first payment and it's much better.
0 coins
Ingrid Larsson
congrats on the new baby! when my husband did his baby bonding last year it took exactly 8 days for the card to arrive. we were so relieved because daycare payment was coming up. hope yours comes soon!
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
Update: Card finally arrived today! 12 business days after approval. Thanks everyone for your help and advice. For anyone reading this later with the same problem, just be patient (though it's hard). Once I got the card, I was able to transfer the funds to my regular bank account right away through the Bank of America prepaid website.
0 coins
Tobias Lancaster
So glad it worked out! 12 days is pretty typical from what I've seen. Definitely set up direct deposit for your future payments - it'll save you the stress of waiting for cards. Enjoy your bonding time with the little one!
0 coins