How to extend PFL claim by one week after already receiving payment?
I'm currently on baby bonding leave and made a mistake when submitting my PFL claim dates. I accidentally listed 3/15 as my return-to-work date when I actually need to return on 3/22. I've already received payment for the original timeframe, but I need that additional week of benefits. Is there a way to extend my claim by one week? Do I need to file a new claim or is there a way to amend my current one? I can't afford to lose that week of benefits with a newborn at home. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
19 comments

Amara Adebayo
you prob need to call EDD, but good luck gettin through lol. took me like 3 days of trying when i needed to fix my dates
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PixelWarrior
•Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Did you eventually get it fixed?
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Giovanni Rossi
You need to contact EDD directly to modify your return-to-work date. This happens more often than you think! You have a few options: 1. Call the PFL customer service line at 1-877-238-4373 (though wait times can be very long) 2. Send a secure message through your SDI Online account explaining the situation 3. Submit a written request to extend your claim Make sure to clearly state that you're requesting to extend your baby bonding claim by changing your return-to-work date from 3/15 to 3/22. Include your claim ID number in all communications. They'll need to process an adjustment to your claim.
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PixelWarrior
•Thank you so much for the detailed response! I'll try sending a secure message first and then call if I don't hear back within a few days.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
I had the EXACT same issue with my maternity leave last month!!! I put 3/1 instead of 3/8 and panicked when I realized my mistake. Called EDD like 20 times and kept getting disconnected or waiting forever. Finally got through to someone who said I needed to fill out a DE2501F form (I think??) to extend the dates. But then someone else told me I just needed to send a message through the portal. The whole thing was so confusing!!! Did you end up getting it fixed?
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PixelWarrior
•Not yet, just realized the mistake yesterday. It's so frustrating that there's conflicting information! A form would make sense, but I can't find anything specific about extending PFL dates on the website.
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Dylan Evans
To extend your Paid Family Leave claim by one week, you need to contact EDD to amend your return-to-work date. Here's the correct process: 1. For baby bonding PFL claims, you need to submit a request through your SDI Online account using the Contact EDD feature. Select "General Information" as the category and "Claim Update" as the subject. 2. In your message, include: - Your correct return-to-work date (3/22) - Your claim ID number - A brief explanation that you made an error on your original application 3. If you don't receive a response within 7-10 business days, then call the PFL office directly. The form mentioned above (DE2501F) is actually for disability extensions, not PFL baby bonding extensions, which is why you're getting conflicting information.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•Ohhhh that makes way more sense! I was totally mixing up SDI and PFL forms. No wonder it was so confusing when I called!
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PixelWarrior
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll submit the request through SDI Online today. Really appreciate the clear instructions.
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Sofia Gomez
This is a common issue and the problem is EDD makes it insanely difficult to get help. I tried for 2 weeks to reach someone about changing my PFL dates and kept getting disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They basically call EDD for you and then connect you once they reach someone. Saved me hours of frustration and the rep was able to adjust my return date immediately. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5
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StormChaser
•Is that service legit? Sounds too good to be true considering how impossible it is to reach EDD!
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Sofia Gomez
•Totally legit. My sister used it first for her disability claim and recommended it. Worth every penny not to waste days trying to get through.
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Dmitry Petrov
Why cant they make this easier??? My baby was premature and I had to change EVERYTHING about my leave dates and literally cried on the phone with them 3 times trying to sort it out. The online system is so horrible!!! Just venting but I feel your pain!
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Amara Adebayo
•fr the whole system is designed to make ppl give up i swear
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PixelWarrior
•I'm so sorry you went through that! Especially with a premature baby - that's the last thing you needed to deal with. The system really does need an overhaul.
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PixelWarrior
UPDATE: I was able to get through to an EDD rep this morning after trying the contact form and waiting 3 days with no response. They confirmed I needed to request the date change by phone. The rep updated my return-to-work date from 3/15 to 3/22 while I was on the call. She said I should see the additional week's payment in 3-5 business days! So relieved this worked out. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Giovanni Rossi
•Great news! Glad you got it resolved. It's always best to follow up by phone if you don't hear back through the online system within a few days.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•That's awesome!! So happy you got it fixed without too much hassle!
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Caden Turner
That's such great news! I'm so glad you were able to get through and get it resolved quickly. This thread is going to be super helpful for other parents who run into the same issue. Thanks for posting the update - it gives hope that EDD can actually be reasonable when you reach the right person!
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