Fired while on pregnancy disability - can I get unemployment after PFL baby bonding ends?

Yes, you can absolutely apply for unemployment after your PFL ends! I went through this exact situation in 2024. Being let go while on pregnancy disability leave could potentially be illegal depending on your company size and circumstances, but that's a separate issue. For unemployment, you'd qualify since you lost your job through no fault of your own. Make sure you have documentation showing your termination date and that you were on protected leave at that time. You'll need to be able and available for work to qualify for unemployment, so start thinking about childcare options now.

wait i thought u cant get fired while on maternity leave??? isnt that illegal or something

This exact thing happened to my sister!!! Her company told her they were "restructuring" while she was on pregnancy disability leave, which was obviously just an excuse to get rid of her. She filed for unemployment right after her baby bonding PFL ended and got approved without any issues. BUT she also talked to a lawyer who said the company violated CFRA/FMLA by terminating her while on protected leave. She ended up getting a settlement! You should definitely look into your legal rights AND apply for unemployment.

The EDD is honestly the worst with these situations. I tried calling them 37 TIMES last month with a similar question about transitioning from disability to unemployment and couldn't get through once!!! Their website just gives generic information and doesn't address specific situations like yours. So frustrating!!

you need to apply for unemployment as soon as ur pfl ends dont wait even a day cuz theres always processing delays. when i applied in january after my baby bonding it took almost 3 weeks to get my first payment! make sure u tell edd you were laid off while on pregnancy disability and now ur pfl is ending. they might ask for proof of termination so find any emails or paperwork from ur employer. good luck!!

Also, important to note: when you apply for unemployment, you'll need to report any severance pay if you received it, as this can affect your benefits. And don't forget that you'll need to be able and available to work, which means having childcare lined up. EDD sometimes asks about this during the application process, so be prepared to confirm you have arrangements for childcare that allow you to accept suitable work.

To clarify a key point about applying for unemployment after PFL: You don't need to wait for your PFL to completely end before applying. You can actually apply for unemployment a few days before your PFL ends (just make sure to list your PFL end date as your last day of being unavailable for work). This helps minimize gaps in your benefit payments. Regarding your termination while on pregnancy disability leave, California's FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) provides stronger protections than federal law for pregnant employees. Even small employers with 5+ employees must provide pregnancy disability leave with job protection in California. I recommend consulting with DFEH (Department of Fair Employment & Housing) about your specific situation.

Just wondering...did your employer specifically say you were being FIRED or did they just not hold your position? There's a big difference legally. My sister-in-law's company said her "position was eliminated" during a restructuring while she was on leave. She thought that meant she was fired, but legally they were claiming it was a layoff due to business necessity which can sometimes be allowed even during protected leave. Might affect both your unemployment and any potential legal case.

when i filed for unemployment after pfl ended i had to do the phone interview thing cuz edd was confused about why i wasnt working... make sure u explain clearly that u were terminated while on disability leave and then went straight to pfl. have dates ready! my interview was super stressful and the lady kept asking the same questions different ways like she was trying to trap me or something lol

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's stressful enough having a new baby without job uncertainty! Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have a solid case for unemployment benefits once your PFL ends. I'd also suggest documenting everything about your termination (emails, dates, any communications) in case you decide to pursue the legal angle later. One thing I learned when I was navigating PFL is to take screenshots of your EDD account showing your PFL claim details - this can be helpful when applying for unemployment to show the transition. Also, if you're worried about the gap between PFL ending and unemployment starting, you might want to look into local food banks or WIC programs for temporary assistance. Hang in there - it sounds like you have good options moving forward!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My employer let me go while I was on pregnancy disability leave, and I'm currently on PFL baby bonding that ends in about 6 weeks. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea I could apply for unemployment a few days before my PFL ends to avoid gaps in payments. I'm also realizing I should probably look into the legal aspect since my company has about 20 employees. It's such a relief to know I'm not alone in this situation. The stress of having a new baby AND losing your job is overwhelming, but it sounds like there are definitely options for getting through this financially. Thank you for posting this question - you've helped more people than just yourself!

I went through this exact situation two years ago and want to reassure you that you'll get through this! A few practical tips that helped me: 1) When you apply for unemployment, be very clear in your application that you were terminated while on protected pregnancy disability leave - this helps establish that the job loss wasn't your fault. 2) Keep all your PFL documentation handy because EDD may ask for it to verify the timeline. 3) Start job searching now if you can, even while still on PFL, so you're ready to show EDD you're actively looking for work when your benefits start. The childcare situation is tough - I had to get creative with family help and part-time daycare until I found something that worked with my schedule. Also, don't feel bad about exploring all your options including potential legal action - losing your job while on maternity leave is incredibly stressful and you deserve support during this time.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation - losing your job while on maternity leave is incredibly stressful! Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have good options. Just want to add that when you do apply for unemployment, make sure you save copies of your application and any confirmation numbers/emails. EDD's system can be glitchy and sometimes claims get "lost" in their system. I learned this the hard way when my initial application disappeared and I had to reapply, which delayed my benefits by weeks. Also, if you do end up needing to do a phone interview with EDD, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat questions or clarify what they're asking - it's better to take your time and give accurate answers than to rush through it. You've got this, and it sounds like you're being proactive about understanding your options which is half the battle!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that you should also check if you qualify for CalFresh (food stamps) while you're waiting for unemployment to kick in. The income limits are higher when you have a new baby, and it can really help bridge the gap financially. Also, some counties have emergency assistance programs specifically for new parents who've lost employment. I found out about these through 211 (you can call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) and they connected me with local resources I didn't even know existed. The combination of unemployment benefits plus these temporary assistance programs really helped me get through those first few months. Don't be afraid to use every resource available - you've worked and paid into these systems, so you absolutely deserve the support!

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - currently on PFL after pregnancy disability and my employer "restructured" my position away while I was on leave. Reading everyone's experiences has given me hope that I can successfully transition to unemployment benefits. One thing I wanted to add that helped me prepare: I created a simple timeline document with all the key dates (when I started pregnancy disability, termination date, PFL start/end dates) along with copies of all relevant emails and documents. This has been super useful when talking to different agencies. Also, for anyone worried about the legal aspect, many employment attorneys offer free consultations for pregnancy discrimination cases - it's worth at least getting an initial opinion on whether you have a case. The financial stress of losing your job while caring for a newborn is overwhelming, but it's amazing to see how this community comes together to share practical advice and support each other through these challenging situations!

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for this entire thread - you all have provided such a wealth of practical information that I couldn't find anywhere else! I'm feeling so much more confident about my next steps now. Based on everything shared here, my plan is to: 1) Apply for unemployment a few days before my PFL ends on March 15th, 2) Contact DFEH about the potential pregnancy discrimination since my employer has 15+ employees, 3) Create that timeline document with all my dates and documentation, and 4) Look into CalFresh and call 211 for additional resources. It's amazing how this community has turned my panic into an actual action plan. For anyone else in a similar situation reading this later - you're not alone, there ARE options available, and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and advice. This has been life-changing information at exactly when I needed it most!

This has been such an incredibly informative and supportive thread! As someone who works in HR, I wanted to add a few additional resources that might help. The California Labor Commissioner's Office also handles pregnancy discrimination complaints and might be faster than DFEH in some cases. You can file online at dir.ca.gov. Also, when you apply for unemployment, make sure to mention that you were on "protected pregnancy disability leave" when terminated - this specific language can help expedite your claim since it clearly establishes the protected nature of your leave. One more tip: if you're concerned about childcare costs affecting your job search, some counties offer subsidized childcare for unemployed parents actively seeking work. Check with your local Department of Social Services. You're absolutely right that this thread has become an amazing resource - I'm bookmarking it to share with other parents who find themselves in similar situations. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this transition!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation! As a new parent myself who went through something similar last year, I wanted to share a few things that really helped me. First, definitely keep detailed records of ALL your communications with your employer about your termination - dates, emails, any verbal conversations you can remember. This documentation will be crucial for both your unemployment claim and any potential legal action. Second, when you apply for unemployment, be very specific that you were terminated while on legally protected pregnancy disability leave and then transitioned to PFL bonding leave. The EDD needs to understand this wasn't a voluntary separation or standard end of leave. Third, consider reaching out to pregnancy/employment discrimination attorneys for free consultations - many work on contingency so you wouldn't pay unless you win. Even if you decide not to pursue legal action, they can help you understand your rights. Finally, don't forget about other support resources while you're waiting - WIC, local diaper banks, and community assistance programs can really help bridge the gap. You're being so proactive by asking these questions now, and that's going to serve you well. This is a tough situation but you have more options and support than you might realize!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Just wanted to add another resource that really helped me when I was navigating unemployment after maternity leave - the California Work and Family Coalition has a helpline (1-877-WORK-FAM) specifically for parents dealing with workplace issues related to pregnancy and family leave. They can provide guidance on both the unemployment process and your potential legal rights. Also, when you do apply for unemployment, make sure to save screenshots of every page of your application before submitting - EDD's system sometimes has glitches and having those screenshots saved me when I had to prove I submitted everything correctly. One more practical tip: start gathering your employment records now (pay stubs, tax forms, etc.) because EDD will need your earnings history to calculate your benefit amount. Having everything ready ahead of time will make the application process much smoother. You're handling this situation really well by asking the right questions and planning ahead - that proactive approach is going to make all the difference!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what an awful situation to be in with a new baby! From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you definitely have solid options for transitioning to unemployment after your PFL ends. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if your employer offered you COBRA health insurance continuation when they terminated you. If they didn't provide proper COBRA notices while you were on protected leave, that could be another violation. Also, while you're gathering all your documentation, make sure to include any paperwork about your pregnancy disability leave approval - this helps establish the timeline of protected leave for both EDD and any potential legal case. The fact that so many people here have successfully navigated similar situations is really encouraging. You're asking all the right questions and being so proactive about understanding your options. That approach is going to serve you well as you work through this challenging time!