EDD PFL for umbilical hernia surgery - can I qualify for just one week?

Yes, you absolutely qualify for PFL to care for your child during and after surgery! There's no minimum time requirement - you can claim as little as one day if needed. For your child's surgery, you'll need the DE2501F form completed by both you and your child's doctor. The doctor needs to certify that your child requires your care during recovery. Make sure to submit your claim no more than 49 days after your first day of leave, though I recommend applying as soon as possible before the surgery date. You'll also need to provide your child's birth certificate when you apply.

i took pfl when my kid broke his arm last yr. only used 2 weeks even tho i was approved for 8. its totally fine for short periods u dont have to use all the time they approve. just make sure u get the doctor note BEFORE u submit ur claim

I want to add some practical advice here. When you get the DE2501F form, bring it to your child's pre-op appointment to have the doctor complete their portion. This saves time and prevents delays. Make copies of EVERYTHING you submit - I can't stress this enough! For umbilical hernia surgery specifically, the doctor should indicate post-operative care requirements. Usually they'll specify the timeframe your child needs care (likely the 5-7 days you mentioned). Also, inform your employer in writing at least 30 days before the surgery date since this is a planned medical procedure. While you're legally covered to take this time, giving proper notice helps maintain good relations and ensures your job protection under CFRA if your employer has 5+ employees.

I just went through something similar with my daughter's tonsillectomy!!! It was a NIGHTMARE trying to reach EDD to check my claim status. I spent HOURS calling and getting disconnected or waiting on hold for ages. If you're struggling to get through to EDD (which you probably will), check out Claimyr.com - it saved me so much stress! They connect you directly to an EDD representative without the endless waiting. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Seriously, when I was freaking out about whether my claim would be approved in time for my daughter's surgery, being able to actually talk to someone made all the difference.

It worked for me! I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call EDD for 3 days straight. They connected me to an actual EDD rep within about 25 minutes. Definitely better than the 3+ hour waits (or getting hung up on) when I called directly.

fyi PFL isn't the same as SDI! I think you mean you need PFL (Paid Family Leave) not SDI (State Disability Insurance). SDI is when YOUR sick/disabled, PFL is when your caring for a family member. sorry just wanted to make sure your using right terms when you apply! :

When my son had surgery last year I took 2 weeks of PFL and let me tell you, the HARDEST part was dealing with EDD, not taking care of my son! Their website kept crashing when I tried to upload documents, then they claimed they never received his birth certificate (even though I uploaded it TWICE), then they needed "additional information" but never told me what information they needed! Call them EARLY and OFTEN. Don't wait for them to contact you because they won't. The system is completely broken and they don't care at all about parents trying to care for their kids. I almost gave up and just took unpaid leave because dealing with EDD was such a nightmare.

To address the confusion above: Yes, you need PFL (Paid Family Leave) for caring for your child, not SDI. For documentation, you specifically need: 1. DE2501F form (this is the Paid Family Leave claim form) 2. Child's birth certificate or other proof of relationship 3. Medical certification from the surgeon/doctor (part of the DE2501F) Apply online through SDI Online (confusingly named, but it's the same portal for both SDI and PFL claims). This is faster than paper applications. Some additional tips: - The 7-day waiting period was eliminated, so benefits start from your first day of leave - You'll receive approximately 60-70% of your wages during your leave period - If your employer provides paid sick leave, vacation, or PTO, they might require you to use some of that before receiving PFL I hope your child's surgery goes smoothly!

my sister works at a doctors office and she says LOTS of parents use pfl for kid surgeries. its super common! ur definitely eligible