How to extend PFL baby bonding beyond initial 4 weeks? Running out of time with new health issues

You don't need to file a completely new claim! You can extend your existing PFL claim by submitting another DE 2501FP form marking it as a "continued claim." Make sure to have your doctor provide documentation about your daughter's condition. The form gets submitted to EDD before your current claim period ends. You're entitled to 8 weeks total for baby bonding, so extending from 4 to 8 weeks is completely within your rights. Just make sure you submit the extension request before your current claim ends to avoid any gap in payments.

omg you have jaundice baby too? my little one had that and we had to do the light therapy thing at home it was so stressful. dont worry about the edd stuff too much, you can definitely extend your claim, just call them asap

Good luck getting through to EDD on the phone!!! I spent LITERALY 3 DAYS trying to reach someone about extending my PFL last month. The automated system would just disconnect me after 45 mins on hold. The whole system is designed to make you give up. And their website is USELESS for this specific question, just tells you to call the number that never answers!!!!

The previous responses have some inaccuracies. For PFL baby bonding extensions, you don't use the DE 2501FP (that's for disability). Instead, you'll need to call EDD directly and request the extension verbally OR submit a change request through your SDI Online account under "Contact EDD." Be specific that you're extending an existing baby bonding claim, not filing a new one. If you submit online, include your claim ID, current end date, and requested new end date. You're correct that you're entitled to 8 weeks total, and extending from 4 to 8 weeks is common. Document everything, including the date/time of any calls, as sometimes extensions don't get processed correctly.

hey there - i had a similar situation w/ my baby (needed extra time at home) and the EDD actually processed my extension super quick when I finally reached someone. the online request thru SDI Online didn't work for me tho - had to call. but with an extension for baby bonding they were actually understanding! not like when I was dealing with preg disability which was a nightmare lol. good luck!!

What about asking your employer for unpaid leave instead? Sometimes that's easier than dealing with EDD. My company let me take extra time unpaid when my PFL ran out without much hassle. Just another option to consider if EDD gives you trouble.

Quick update on timing expectations: When you request an extension, there shouldn't be any gap in payments if you submit at least 7-10 days before your current claim period ends. The system is designed to allow for continuous coverage. If you submit too late, there might be a 1-2 week processing delay for the additional weeks to begin payment. Make sure to continue certifying for benefits during this transition period, even if you're not immediately seeing the extension reflected in your account.

just wondering did ur doctor mention anything about ur baby needing longer light therapy? my sister's baby had jaundice too and she also got full 8 weeks PFL because their pediatrician wrote a letter saying baby had special care needs. maybe u should ask for that too?

Good news - I just checked the EDD website and they actually have a specific page about extending PFL benefits here: https://edd.ca.gov/disability/Paid_Family_Leave.htm (under FAQs). It confirms what others have said - you're entitled to 8 weeks total, can split them up however works for you, and can extend by calling or using your online account. I'd recommend doing both - submit online AND call to confirm it was received properly. The page also mentions you should request the extension before your current claim ends, which sounds like you're right on time to do that.

I went through this exact situation last year with my son! He had prolonged jaundice and needed extra monitoring. I was able to extend my PFL baby bonding from 4 to 8 weeks seamlessly by calling EDD. The key is to call before your current claim ends - I called with about 5 days left and they processed it immediately over the phone. They asked for my claim number, confirmed my original dates, and updated it right there. No new forms needed, no gap in payments. The representative was actually really understanding about the medical situation. I'd recommend calling first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM) for the best chance of getting through quickly. Don't stress too much - extending baby bonding claims seems to be one of the smoother EDD processes!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my baby was born 2 weeks ago and we're also doing phototherapy at home for jaundice. The pediatrician wants me to monitor her for at least another 6 weeks, so I'm looking at extending my PFL too. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea I could extend my existing claim rather than filing a new one. The timing advice about calling 7-10 days before your current claim ends is especially valuable. @Chloe Anderson - I hope your daughter's bilirubin levels improve soon and that your extension goes smoothly. It's so stressful when you're dealing with a newborn's health issues AND trying to navigate EDD at the same time. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is a lifesaver for parents in similar situations!

I'm a new parent dealing with something similar and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! My baby is only 5 days old but already showing signs of jaundice, and I'm worried I might need to extend my PFL beyond the 6 weeks I originally planned. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially about how understanding EDD can be with baby bonding extensions and the specific timing advice - has really helped ease my anxiety. It's so helpful to know that extending an existing claim is straightforward and that there are multiple ways to request it (online, phone, etc.). The tip about calling at 8:01 AM is gold! I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need to reference it in the coming weeks. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences - it makes such a difference for those of us navigating this for the first time.

As someone who just went through extending PFL for baby bonding, I can confirm that the process is much smoother than expected! I called EDD at 8:02 AM (one minute late!) and still got through within 15 minutes. The representative was incredibly understanding about my situation - my baby had feeding issues that required extended monitoring. They processed the extension from 6 to 8 weeks immediately over the phone, no forms needed. The key things they asked for were: my claim number, current end date, and reason for extension. They also confirmed that my payments would continue without any gap. One tip - have your claim information ready when you call, including your original start date and current benefit amount. This made the call go much faster. Don't stress about this - baby bonding extensions seem to be one of the most straightforward EDD processes!

I'm a case worker who helps families navigate EDD benefits, and I want to add some important details to what's already been shared. You're absolutely right that you can extend your baby bonding PFL from 4 to 8 weeks without filing a new claim. The most reliable method is calling EDD directly - online submissions sometimes get lost in the system. When you call, mention that this is a "medically necessary extension" due to your daughter's jaundice requiring ongoing care. This framing often helps prioritize your request. Also, if you haven't already, ask your pediatrician to document that you specifically need to be home for her care - while baby bonding doesn't require medical documentation like disability claims do, having it can prevent any potential questions. The 8:01 AM call time others mentioned is spot-on - that's when the phone lines reset and you'll have the best chance of getting through quickly. Your situation is very common, and EDD handles these extensions routinely. You should have no gap in benefits if you call this week!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My 6-week-old daughter has been dealing with persistent jaundice and we're on week 2 of home phototherapy. I originally filed for 6 weeks of PFL but realized I'm going to need the full 8 weeks. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring - I had no idea that extending baby bonding claims was relatively straightforward compared to other EDD processes. The advice about calling at 8:01 AM and having your claim information ready is invaluable. I'm planning to call tomorrow morning with my claim number, current end date, and benefit amount ready. It's such a relief to know there shouldn't be any gap in payments if I submit the extension request in time. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it makes such a difference knowing other parents have successfully navigated this same situation!