EDD PFL baby bonding duration: Still 8 weeks in 2025 or changed?

still 8 wks in CA, my friend just finished her leave last month. congrats on twins!!

California PFL provides exactly 8 weeks of benefits for baby bonding, and this hasn't changed for 2025 (despite some proposals to extend it). You and your husband can EACH claim 8 weeks separately - they're individual benefits. Unfortunately, having twins doesn't increase your benefit period in California. Each parent gets the same 8 weeks regardless of single or multiple births. Don't confuse this with Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), which is different and covers time before birth if your doctor certifies you as disabled due to pregnancy. That can be up to 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after (longer for C-section).

Yes, that's correct. The maximum would typically be: - Up to 4 weeks PDL before birth (doctor must certify need) - 6-8 weeks PDL after birth (8 for C-section) - 8 weeks PFL for baby bonding So 18-20 weeks total depending on delivery type. Just remember PDL and PFL are different programs with separate applications. You'll need to transition from PDL to PFL by filing a new claim form (DE2508) after your post-birth disability period ends.

The previous poster is partially correct but let me clarify: PDL provides up to 17 weeks TOTAL (not just before birth) if medically necessary. Typically this breaks down as up to 4 weeks before and 6-8 weeks after birth, but it can be distributed differently based on your doctor's certification of disability. The total PDL benefit period won't exceed 17 weeks regardless of how it's split. And yes, after PDL ends, you can transition to 8 weeks of PFL for baby bonding. Your husband also gets his own separate 8 weeks of PFL. For twins, the benefit period is the same as for single births in California.

my friend said the website was useless when she tried to check her claim status... she kept calling EDD but never got thru until she used claimyr.com to get connected to a rep. she showed me the video (https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5) and it looked super easy. said it saved her hours of redailing

when I had my baby last year I took 8 weks of PFL but regret not taking PDL first!! I could've had more time! Make sure you get ALL your benefits!!!! also the EDD website is super glitchy just warning you

To answer your original question - it's definitely still 8 weeks for 2025. I just spoke with an EDD rep last week about my upcoming leave (due in January). My doctor is filling out the DE2501 form for my pregnancy disability now (I'm at 32 weeks) and then I'll file the DE2508 for PFL baby bonding after delivery. Be prepared for the transition between PDL and PFL - that's where a lot of people have issues. Don't wait until your PDL ends to file for PFL or you might have a gap in payments!

Yes, about 2 weeks before your PDL ends is perfect timing. You'll need to know your expected return-to-work date when you file. Also make sure you have your baby's birth certificate (or hospital documentation if the certificate hasn't arrived yet). The EDD website says you need to provide proof of relationship to claim PFL baby bonding benefits.

For your specific form question: You need a DE2501 form for Pregnancy Disability Leave. Your doctor will need to complete part of it to certify your disability. For the subsequent PFL baby bonding claim, you'll need form DE2508. One important note about twins - while you don't get extra weeks of leave, your weekly benefit amount calculation remains the same regardless of having one baby or multiples. The benefit is based on your earnings during the base period, not the number of children.

Just wanted to add - if you're planning to breastfeed, don't forget about the Lactation Accommodation breaks you're entitled to when you return to work! California law requires employers to provide reasonable break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for pumping. This isn't part of PFL but it's another benefit that helps with the transition back to work after bonding leave. Also, some employers offer additional paid parental leave on top of state benefits, so definitely check your employee handbook!

Congratulations on your twins! I just went through this process myself last year with my daughter. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure to coordinate with your husband about when you'll each take your PFL weeks. Since you each get 8 weeks separately, you can overlap them, take them back-to-back, or space them out (like him taking some time when you go back to work). We ended up doing a mix - I took my full PDL + PFL stretch, then my husband took his 8 weeks PFL a few months later when our daughter was having sleep issues. The flexibility really helped our family! Also, start gathering your documents early - birth certificates, medical records, etc. The paperwork can be overwhelming when you're sleep-deprived with newborns.

Great question about the timing! PFL bonding leave must be taken within the first 12 months after your baby's birth (or placement for adoption). So your husband could technically wait up to a year, but practically speaking most people take it within the first few months. There's no requirement that both parents take their leave consecutively or even close together. When I took my PFL about 6 months after my wife's leave ended, EDD didn't give me any trouble at all. Just had to provide the birth certificate and fill out the DE2508 form like normal. The key is that each parent's 8-week clock is independent - so even if there are gaps between when you each take leave, you're still entitled to your full 8 weeks as long as it's within that first year. One tip: if you're planning to space out the leaves, keep copies of all your documentation handy since you might need to reference dates and details months later when the second parent files their claim!

One thing to keep in mind with twins - while California doesn't give you extra PFL weeks for multiples, you might want to consider the practical aspects of caring for two newborns when planning your leave schedule. I have twin boys (now 18 months) and honestly, those first few months were intense! My husband and I initially planned to take our PFL back-to-back, but we ended up overlapping for about 2 weeks because managing twins alone was really challenging, especially with feeding schedules and sleep deprivation. If your budget allows for some unpaid time or if you have vacation days, you might want to build in a little buffer. Also, stock up on all your paperwork ahead of time - with twins, you'll have even less time to deal with EDD forms and calls. Good luck with your March arrivals!