PFL baby bonding after SDI - Will EDD auto-send link when disability ends or do I need to call?

congrats!! they should email u a link to apply for pfl like a week before ur sdi ends. at least thats what happened to me in january. i think it depend on if u checked the box saying u want pfl after on ur original application

You definitely need to be proactive! I had my baby in March 2025 and waited for an automatic notification, but it never came. When I called EDD (after spending DAYS trying to get through), they told me I needed to apply for PFL separately. Apply as soon as your doctor releases you from disability! There will be options in the application to specify your disability claim number so they can see the connection between the two claims.

The EDD website says they're SUPPOSED to send you the link automatically when your pregnancy disability is about to end, but their systems are SO BROKEN that it doesn't always happen!!! I had to call 32 TIMES over 3 days to finally get through to someone who could send me the link manually. This was just last month! They make it IMPOSSIBLE for new mothers who are already exhausted and dealing with newborns! Why can't they just FIX THEIR SYSTEM?!?!

when i had my baby in feb the link came 5 days before my disability ended. but my sister never got one and had to apply manually. i think it depends on how busy the system is?? sdi and pfl are different programs even though theyre both edd

In my experience helping clients navigate the EDD system, I recommend being proactive rather than waiting. Here's what you should do: 1. Mark your calendar for 1 week before your disability claim is scheduled to end 2. If you haven't received an email with PFL instructions by then, call EDD 3. When applying for PFL, have your SDI claim number ready to reference 4. Specify the exact date your doctor cleared you from disability as your PFL start date 5. Make sure to have your baby's birth certificate or hospital documentation ready (they may request this) The system is supposed to recognize when a pregnancy disability claim is ending and automatically trigger the PFL application, but in practice, about 30% of new mothers report this automation fails. Better to be prepared than to face a payment gap.

i had my twins last year and let me tell you all about what happened with my disability claim. so I was put on bedrest at 28 weeks due to preeclampsia which was terrible because i had to stop working at my accounting job during tax season but anyway i got disability for that and then had my babies at 36 weeks and switched to the baby bonding pfl after my 6 weeks of recovery. actually my doctor gave me 8 weeks because i had a c-section which was scary but now the twins are doing great and sleeping through the night finally!

I work with several pregnancy and postpartum support groups, and this is one of the most common questions we get. The official process is that EDD should automatically send you a link to apply for PFL about a week before your disability claim ends. However, this automated system fails frequently. My advice is to be proactive: 1. On your original DE2501 disability form, make sure you checked that you intend to file for PFL after disability 2. Call EDD at the beginning of your last week of disability if you haven't received a PFL link 3. Have your SDI claim number and Online Account Number ready when you call 4. Be aware that for PFL baby bonding, you'll complete form DE2508 It's critical to avoid any gaps between the end of your disability and the start of your PFL claim. The good news is that once your PFL is established, the certification process is typically smoother than disability.

i tried calling edd like 20 times when this happened to me and couldnt get thru. ended up using this service called claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a rep in like 10 mins. cost money but saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on. they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. the edd rep was able to send me the pfl link right away once i finally talked to someone

Based on my recent experience (had my baby in February 2025), here's what happened: 1. I did receive an automated email about 6 days before my disability ended 2. The email contained instructions and a link to apply for PFL 3. The PFL application (DE2508) asked for my disability claim number to connect the claims 4. I was able to specify that I wanted my PFL to start the day after my disability ended 5. The approval came through quickly - about 3 days However, I've heard from friends in my mom's group that they didn't get the automatic notification. I think the system works most of the time, but you should definitely be prepared to call if you don't receive anything by the last week of your disability period. Setting calendar reminders is essential!

One important thing to understand: while SDI and PFL are both administered by EDD, they're technically different benefit programs with different funding sources. This is why the transition isn't always seamless. When you originally applied for disability (using form DE2501), there should have been a question asking if you intended to file for PFL after your disability ended. If you checked "yes," this increases the chances of getting the automated notification. However, the most reliable approach is to call EDD when you're about 7 days from your disability end date if you haven't received PFL instructions. You can also prepare by getting familiar with the DE2508 form (for PFL claims) beforehand. Remember: Your PFL must start immediately after your disability ends to avoid any payment gaps. The system allows this as long as you reference your SDI claim correctly.

Whatever you do, DON'T TRUST THEIR SYSTEM to work properly!! I had my baby in January, and not only did they NOT send me the PFL link automatically, but when I finally got through to someone after DAYS of calling, they told me I should have applied earlier and now I might have a GAP in my benefits!! The EDD system is completely BROKEN especially for new moms who are already sleep deprived and recovering from CHILDBIRTH!! It's ABSURD that we have to jump through these hoops!!

I'm currently 32 weeks and planning ahead for this same transition! Reading all these responses is both helpful and nerve-wracking. It sounds like the system is hit-or-miss, so I'm definitely going to set multiple calendar reminders starting at week 6 of my disability period to check for the PFL email. One question I haven't seen answered yet - if you don't get the automatic email and have to call EDD, is there a specific time of day that's better for getting through? I keep hearing about how impossible it is to reach them, and I'm worried about trying to navigate their phone system with a newborn! Also, has anyone had success using the EDD online chat feature for this, or do you absolutely have to call? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to hear real stories instead of just the official EDD website info!