EDD rejected my caregiving PFL for pregnant spouse - now told too late for baby bonding?

PFL for caregiving vs baby bonding is super confusing! Here's what's happening: You initially filed for Caregiving PFL (which is for caring for a seriously ill family member). While pregnancy complications can sometimes qualify under this, EDD often directs parents to use Baby Bonding instead once the baby is born. Regarding the 41-day window - that's true, but there's an exception for "good cause" delays. You should immediately file a new DE2508 form for Baby Bonding and include a detailed letter explaining you were misinformed about which benefit to apply for. Include copies of all your previous paperwork submissions and correspondence. When you submit, also include a statement from your employer confirming when you actually began your leave. The key is demonstrating you attempted to file properly within the timeframe but were given incorrect information. I went through something similar (different circumstances but same timing issue) and got approved after explaining the situation.

EDD is the WORST!!! They rejected my caregiving claim when my husband had surgery and then told me I filed for the wrong thing too. It's like they WANT to deny people benefits we've paid into! The whole system is designed to make you give up!!

The 41-day rule is strictly enforced but there are exceptions for good cause delays. You need to include Form DE 2501F (Paid Family Leave Late Filing) with your new application explaining exactly what happened. Technically, caring for a pregnant spouse with complications CAN qualify for caregiving PFL if the doctor certified it correctly, but many doctors aren't familiar with exactly how to document it for EDD purposes. Baby bonding is usually more straightforward to get approved. Also important - the clock on baby bonding eligibility starts from the birth date, and you can take it anytime within the first year. So even if your initial claim is denied, you should be eligible to use baby bonding leave later in the year (though obviously that doesn't help with the time you've already taken). I recommend calling EDD directly to discuss your specific situation. Yes, their phone lines are a nightmare, but this is a situation where speaking to a representative is crucial.

Wait... soooo.... the baby was born April 15 but in ur post u said May 7th?? Which is it? That might make a difference for the 41 day thing...

this EXACT thing happened to my sister!!! she applied for caregiver leave when her husband had cancer and they told her after 3 weeks she filed wrong form. she had to get her state assembly person involved to fix it. try calling your local state rep's office, they have special contacts at EDD who can actually help. also the 41 day thing sometimes gets waived if you can prove you were actively trying to apply but got wrong info from EDD.

When I had my baby last year, my husband tried to get PFL and it was a complete nightmare. The whole system is so confusing and the EDD website doesn't explain things clearly AT ALL. From what I understand, Caregiving PFL is different from Baby Bonding PFL, even though they both use the same DE2508 form. Our doctor actually told us specifically that pregnancy complications only qualify for SDI for the pregnant person, not PFL for the caregiver spouse. So the issue might be that your claim was never going to be approved that way regardless of timing. Do you still have any leave time left? Because you should be able to apply for baby bonding PFL for future dates (like starting now) without running into the 41-day issue. That way at least you can get some benefits going forward.

Quick update on the 41-day rule: What matters is the date you BEGAN your leave, not the date you file. If you started your leave within 41 days of the birth, you should be fine as long as you can document that. What happens is many people start leave when the baby is born, but don't file the paperwork until weeks later, which is totally allowed. EDD looks at when the leave actually started, not just when you submitted the claim. So for your situation - if you've been continuously on leave since before or just after the birth, that works in your favor. Make sure to emphasize this point when reapplying with the late filing form.

OMG THIS MAKES ME SO MAD!!! The EDD people have ONE JOB and they still get it wrong and then WE suffer! This is why I tell EVERYONE to record EVERY CALL with EDD and document EVERYTHING in writing. They told you the wrong info and now they're trying to deny your benefits because of THEIR mistake!!! FIGHT THIS!!!

I'm dealing with something kinda similar... my baby was born 3 months ago and I just found out I could've been getting paid this whole time lol. I thought PFL was only for mothers not fathers! Nobody at my job told me I could apply. I sent in my application last week but now I'm worried about this 41 day thing too! Will let you know what happens with mine!

I work as a benefits coordinator and see these EDD mix-ups constantly. Here's what you need to do IMMEDIATELY: 1. File a new DE2508 for Baby Bonding PFL today, even though you're past 41 days 2. Include Form DE2501F (Late Filing form) explaining the situation 3. Write a detailed letter stating you filed within the window but for the wrong benefit type due to unclear guidance 4. Include ALL documentation from your original claim to show you were actively pursuing benefits The key point everyone's missing: EDD has an internal policy that if YOU made a good faith effort to file correctly within the timeframe but were misdirected by their system/representatives, they can waive the late filing penalty. This is called "good cause" and it applies to your exact situation. Also, make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it. EDD has a habit of "losing" paperwork. One more thing - if the new claim gets denied, immediately request an appeal hearing. The appeals judges are much more reasonable than the initial claims processors and actually listen to the circumstances. Don't give up! You paid into this system and deserve these benefits.