EDD PFL after SDI - Can I apply online or need to mail forms if SDI ends Aug 8?

You can definitely file for PFL online! It's actually much faster than mailing forms. Just log into your SDI Online account (same one you used for disability) and select \

Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. I was worried I'd need to get a bunch of paper forms from my doctor again. Do I need my employer to fill out anything for the baby bonding portion?

i did mine online after my pregnancy leave last year its super easy! just make sure u do it before ur SDI ends so u dont have a gap in payments. the baby bonding part was way easier than the pregnancy part

Oh that's good to hear! Did you have any issues with the transition? How long did it take for your first PFL payment to come through after applying?

Online is definitely the way to go, but be prepared for the system to be glitchy. I recommend applying 7-10 days before your SDI end date (so around July 29-August 1). This gives EDD time to process the transition. You'll need:\n\n1. Your child's birth certificate or birth hospital record\n2. Your return to work date after baby bonding ends\n3. Your employer contact info\n\nThe DE2501FP form will be part of the online application - you won't need a physical copy. Make sure your SDI Online account is working BEFORE you try to apply. Reset your password now if you haven't logged in recently.

Thank you for the detailed info! I'll definitely check my account access now. My employer mentioned something about a DE2508 form - is that something different I need to worry about?

UGH the EDD system is a NIGHTMARE!!! I tried doing the online transition from SDI to PFL and somehow they lost my application and I went 3 weeks with NO INCOME while pregnant with a newborn!!! I called literally 97 times and could never get through. ALWAYS PRINT SCREENSHOTS of your confirmation pages!!!!

I went through the same frustration trying to reach EDD about my PFL claim. After two weeks of constant calling, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD rep in about 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 \n\nI was skeptical but it actually connected me with an agent who fixed my claim status right away. Saved me days of redialing.

OMG thank you!! I'll check that out because I STILL have an issue with my overpayment that I can't get resolved!

the forms r different for baby bonding vs pregnancy disability just fyi. for SDI u used DE2501 but for PFL baby bonding its DE2501FP. but yea do it online its way easier im on my 2nd kid and did both online

Thanks for clarifying the form numbers! Did you have to get a new doctor's certification for the baby bonding portion or just provide baby's birth info?

To answer your question about the DE2508 form - that's actually just an informational pamphlet about PFL, not something you need to fill out. The actual form you'll complete online is the DE2501FP (claim for Paid Family Leave benefits).\n\nAnd no, you don't need a doctor's certification for baby bonding PFL. You only need that for pregnancy disability. For PFL, you just need to provide proof of relationship to your child (birth certificate or hospital documentation) and the reason for leave (bonding with new child).\n\nYour employer doesn't need to complete anything for your PFL claim, but they do need to be informed of your leave dates. EDD may contact them to verify your employment status and wages.

Perfect, thank you for the clarification! This makes the whole process seem much less intimidating. I'll definitely apply online about a week before my SDI ends.

Make sure ur SDI claim shows as \

Good point - just checked and my SDI claim says active. So relieved everything seems to be in order for now!

Just wanted to add that timing is really important here! I made the mistake of applying too early (like 3 weeks before my SDI ended) and EDD told me I had to wait and reapply closer to the actual transition date. Apparently they won't process PFL claims that are submitted too far in advance. Also, keep your birth certificate or hospital records handy when you apply online - you'll need to upload a clear photo or scan of them as part of the application. The system is pretty picky about image quality, so make sure it's well-lit and all text is readable. One more tip: if you're planning to take the full 8 weeks of baby bonding, make sure you enter the correct return-to-work date when applying. I miscalculated mine by a few days and had to call EDD to fix it, which was a hassle.