EDD SDI after C-section before PFL baby bonding - correct order?

Yes! That's exactly the correct sequence. I delivered via C-section in February 2025 and here's how it worked: I received SDI for 8 weeks post-surgery for recovery (standard for C-sections), then transitioned to 8 weeks of PFL for baby bonding. The key is that these are two separate benefits with different purposes - SDI covers your medical recovery, while PFL covers bonding time. You'll submit your initial claim on DE2501 form for disability, then about 1-2 weeks before your SDI ends, you'll file the DE2508 form for PFL. Don't file them simultaneously or you'll create confusion in the system. Make sure your doctor documents the C-section on your medical certification to qualify for the full 8 weeks of SDI instead of the 6 weeks for vaginal delivery.

This is gonna sound dumb but I actally messed this up lol. I had a C-section last november and filed for BOTH benefits at the same time because I thought that was efficient. Big mistake!!! It caused a 3 week delay in my payments because the system got confused. Definitely do what the previous person said - file SDI first, then wait until that's almost done before you apply for PFL. Also take screenshots of EVERYTHING you submit online. The EDD website randomly logged me out twice during my application process and I had to restart!!

You've got the right idea. The full sequence goes: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) through SDI: This starts when your doctor certifies you're disabled due to pregnancy (can be before birth) and extends 8 weeks after C-section 2. Baby Bonding through PFL: 8 weeks that must be taken within 12 months of birth In total, you can potentially get up to 16 weeks of paid benefits (sometimes more if you have pregnancy complications before birth). Just remember that SDI pays approximately 60-70% of your wages while PFL pays the same percentage. Also, your employer's policies might offer supplemental pay to bring you closer to 100%, so check with HR about that too. One other crucial tip: start gathering your wage information from the past 18 months now, as EDD sometimes miscalculates benefit amounts.

Anyone here try to reach EDD before filing to ask questions? I spent FOUR HOURS on hold and then got disconnected last month when I was trying to do exactly what you're describing. Was there in the third trimester on hold so long I thought I might deliver before someone answered 😂

Yes I did exactlty this in December! But be warned my doctor only certified me for 6 weeks after my c-section even tho everyone says its supposed to be 8 weeks. When I called the doctors office they said it depends on your recovery and they can extend it if needed but don't automatically give 8 weeks to everyone with a c-section. So don't count on the full 8 weeks of SDI unless your specific doctor approves it.

I'm actually dealing with this right now. Had my c-section 7 weeks ago and just submitted my PFL claim yesterday. The most annoying part was that I had to create a whole new online account for the PFL portion! My existing SDI online account wouldn't let me file the PFL claim for some reason. Also make sure you have your baby's birth certificate or hospital documentation ready - they required proof of birth for the PFL portion that wasn't needed for the SDI part. Good luck with your delivery!!

One more important thing I forgot to mention: When you transition from SDI to PFL, there can sometimes be a 1-2 week gap in payments while they process the new claim. Make sure you have some savings to cover this period just in case. Also, you can actually file your PFL claim up to 2 weeks before your SDI ends - I recommend doing this to minimize any gap between benefits. The online system should allow you to specify the start date for PFL that coincides with the end of your SDI benefits.

congrats on ur baby! i had my c section in january and yes do the disability first then pfl after. make sure u tell ur doctor to put 8 weeks on the form cuz mine tried to only give me 6 which is wrong for c sections!!! also when u do the online stuff save the claim number they give u cuz if the website crashes (it will lol) u need that number to get back to ur application

I just went through this whole process (my baby is 4 months old now). You're getting good advice here about doing SDI first and then PFL. One thing to be prepared for - when you transition from SDI to PFL, you might get some confusing notices. I received a letter saying my SDI claim was "closed" which briefly sent me into a panic thinking I'd done something wrong. It's just their normal process when one benefit ends and another begins. Also, if you need to speak with someone at EDD about your benefits (which you likely will at some point), set aside a full day for calling. Their phone lines are ridiculously busy, especially in the morning. I found slightly better luck calling around 3-4pm.