Need help switching from SDI to PFL for baby bonding - stuck in transition limbo!

You need to specifically file for PFL baby bonding! It doesn't automatically transition from disability. Log into your SDI Online account and click on 'New Claim' - then choose PFL. You'll need to submit form DE2508 electronically. Make sure you do this ASAP because there shouldn't be a gap between your disability end and PFL start or you might lose benefits. You also need proof of relationship with your baby (usually birth certificate).

i was in the exact same boat last month!! the transition is SUPER confusing. my doctor released me at 6 weeks post-partum and i panicked because my benefits suddenly stopped. make sure you complete your final disability certification and indicate you're back to "regular work" even though you're planning to do bonding. THEN file the separate PFL claim. i almost messed this up!!

You've received some good advice already, but let me clarify the exact process: 1. Complete your final disability certification marking that you're released to work 2. File a NEW claim for PFL baby bonding through your SDI Online account 3. Submit form DE2508 and proof of relationship 4. Your doctor doesn't need to certify anything for the PFL portion The transition is confusing because technically these are two separate benefits even though they're related to the same birth. Once your disability claim ends, your baby bonding claim begins - but you MUST APPLY for it separately. Don't wait for EDD to contact you about it.

File for PFL immediately! Don't wait for the last disability payment to post. The system is designed to handle the transition, and filing right away helps prevent any gaps in payment. Just make sure you enter the PFL start date as the day after your doctor released you from disability.

I remember this nightmare from when I had my daughter in February. The EDD website makes it seem like it should be automatic but NOPE! Had to do the whole separate application thing and ended up with a 3-week gap in my payments because nobody told me. So frustrating!!!! Make sure you click "New Claim" not "Continue Claim" - that was my mistake.

If you're struggling to get through to EDD about this, I HIGHLY recommend using Claimyr. After three days of failed attempts to reach someone, I used their service and got connected to an EDD rep in under 15 minutes. They basically call EDD for you and then connect you when they get through. Totally saved me when I was in this exact situation with my transition from disability to bonding. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 or just go to claimyr.com. So much better than waiting on hold for hours!

LISTEN PEOPLE the entire CA disability/PFL system is DELIBERATELY confusing to prevent people from getting their full benefits!!!! They WANT you to mess up the transition so they can save money. I deal with this daily in my job and it's CRIMINAL how poorly they explain the process. The EDD website should have CLEAR instructions but instead they hide them and make us figure it out ourselves. Absolutely call them to confirm everything before submitting!!!!

im sooo confused by all this! i thought pregancy disability and baby bonding were the SAME THING?? im 7 months pregnant and now im worried. do i need to file for disability first and THEN bonding leave later?? this is my first baby and i have no clue whats going on!! help!!

UPDATE: I followed the advice here and successfully filed my PFL claim today! For anyone who finds this thread later - here's exactly what I did: 1. Completed my final disability certification and marked "able to return to work" 2. Logged into SDI Online and clicked "New Claim" 3. Selected PFL and baby bonding 4. Entered my baby's info and uploaded hospital discharge papers (they're letting me submit birth certificate later) 5. The start date for PFL was automatically set to the day after my disability ended Thanks everyone for your help! The EDD system is incredibly confusing but I think I've got it figured out now.