EDD denied my PFL but told me to file for disability instead - confused about maternity leave timeline

You're on the right track now! Here's how California maternity benefits typically work: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) through SDI: This covers 4 weeks before birth and 6-8 weeks after birth (6 for vaginal delivery, 8 for c-section) 2. Paid Family Leave (PFL): This is for baby bonding and starts AFTER your disability period ends. You get 8 weeks of baby bonding. So your timeline should look like: - Disability claim: 2/28/25 (last day worked) to about 4 weeks after delivery (4/7/25 for vaginal birth) - PFL claim: Starts after disability ends for up to 8 weeks I recommend calling EDD again to confirm your disability claim dates. You need to file a separate PFL claim for baby bonding AFTER your disability claim ends.

Ugh the EDD system is SUCH A NIGHTMARE!!! I went through this exact thing last year and got totally screwed out of 2 weeks of benefits because nobody explained it right. The problem is that EDD has TWO completely different departments handling disability and PFL, and they don't talk to each other AT ALL. The disability people won't tell you about PFL and vice versa. Based on what you said, you should have had: - Disability from when you stopped working until 6 weeks after vaginal birth - Then PFL for up to 8 weeks of baby bonding But if you're going back to work next week, you need to call and fix this ASAP before you miss out on money you're entitled to!!

I had a similar problem last year and finally got it resolved by using Claimyr to reach an EDD representative quickly. I was calling for days with no luck, then used their service and got through in 20 minutes. The rep was able to correct my application and get my benefits processed. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The important thing is to get someone on the phone who will actually take the time to review your specific case. The first EDD person clearly didn't help you properly. You need to speak with someone about adjusting your claim dates and then filing for PFL for any remaining time you qualify for.

I went through this exact thing in January! Let me clear this up: 1. For a vaginal birth, you get 4 weeks before your due date and 6 weeks after delivery through disability (SDI). For c-section, it's 8 weeks after delivery. 2. After disability ends, you can apply for 8 weeks of PFL for baby bonding. You filed disability for too long (until 5/10). It should only be until about 4/21 (6 weeks postpartum). But don't worry! You need to call EDD, explain the confusion, and ask them to: 1. Correct your disability claim end date 2. Help you file for PFL for any remaining time Even if you're going back to work next week, you're still entitled to backpay for the correct benefit periods. Don't give up! You earned these benefits!

i think your confusing SDI and PFL... they different benefits. i had baby last octber and did disability first then bonding. u need 2 separate claims 4 them. disability is 4 recovery from birth (6 or 8 wks depending) and PFL is 4 babycare after. proly can still fix it tho

Hey there! When I had my twins in 2024, I learned that pregnancy leave in CA is super confusing but actually really generous if you understand how it works! I just want to add one thing others haven't mentioned - when you speak to EDD, make sure they understand that you've been off work since February 28th and delivered March 10th. You should get disability pay for that ENTIRE period, including the days before birth. And if you're going back to work next week, you probably won't be able to use all your 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding, but you should get partial PFL for the time between when disability ends (6 weeks after birth) and when you return to work. I know this is stressful, but you will get your backpay! Hang in there! 💗

claimyr actually works really well, i used it last month when my disability claim was stuck pending for 3 weeks. paid like $20 and got through to edd in 15 mins when i had been trying for days. the person i talked to fixed my claim right away. def worth it when ur desperate

I've worked in HR for 10 years and see this confusion ALL THE TIME. Let me clarify a few things: 1. When you stop working due to pregnancy (whether before or after birth), you start with STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE (SDI). 2. For a vaginal delivery, SDI covers up to 4 weeks before birth and 6 weeks after birth. For C-section, it's 8 weeks after. 3. After SDI ends, THEN you can transition to PFL for baby bonding (up to 8 weeks). Your mistake was filing for PFL first instead of SDI. But this is fixable! Call EDD and explain that you misunderstood the process. Ask them to: 1. Process your SDI claim for 2/28/25 to approximately 4/21/25 (6 weeks post-vaginal delivery) 2. Then file a PFL claim for any remaining time before you return to work You'll need to provide medical documentation, but you should get backpay for everything once it's sorted out.