Switching from SDI to PFL after baby birth - automatic or need to file new application?
Help!! I've been receiving pregnancy disability (SDI) payments since early January, and just got what I think is my final payment yesterday. My beautiful baby girl was born last week on Feb 10th. Do I need to submit a brand new application for Paid Family Leave for the baby bonding period, or does EDD automatically transition me from disability to PFL? The EDD website is SO confusing and I can't tell if I'm supposed to do something or just wait. I don't want to miss out on those precious weeks with my baby because of paperwork confusion! TIA!
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Sofia Ramirez
Not automatic, u need to file new PFL claim. Do it ASAP so no gap between benefits
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorOMG thank you!! I had no idea - would have been sitting here waiting forever. Going to file right now!!
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Dmitry Volkov
You definitely need to file a separate application for the Paid Family Leave baby bonding portion. It doesn't automatically switch over from SDI to PFL. You'll need to complete the DE2508 form online through your SDI Online account. Make sure you have your baby's birth certificate information handy. Also, start the claim effective from the day after your SDI benefits ended to avoid any gap in your benefit payments. The process is pretty straightforward once you get into your account.
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorThank you for the detailed info! I just logged into my account and found the DE2508 form. Getting all the baby's info together now. So glad I asked or I would have missed out on weeks of benefits!
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StarSeeker
Wait I'm confused. I thought once you have the baby, everything just continues? That's what my HR person told me. I'm due in April and now I'm worried I'll mess something up...
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Dmitry Volkov
Your HR person is incorrect. Pregnancy Disability (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding are two separate programs that require separate applications. SDI covers your disability before and right after birth, while PFL covers bonding time. You'll need to apply for PFL after your SDI ends.
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Ava Martinez
This transition from SDI to PFL is SO FRUSTRATING!!! I had the same confusion last year and ended up with a 2-week gap in my benefits because nobody told me I had to apply separately! Called EDD like 50 times and kept getting disconnected. The whole system is designed to make us fail, I swear. Make sure you apply for PFL right away and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorOh no, that sounds awful! I'm definitely applying today - can't afford to miss any payments. Did you eventually get the gap period paid retroactively or were those weeks just lost?
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Ava Martinez
Nope, those 2 weeks were just GONE. They said I filed "too late" even though nobody told me I needed to file separately! Complete garbage system.
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Miguel Ortiz
Just adding my experience - I had my baby in November 2024 and you definitely need to file a separate PFL claim. But here's a tip: you can actually file it before your SDI ends (I did it about a week before). That way it's already in their system and ready to go when your disability payments stop. Just make sure you select the correct "start date" for PFL that matches the day after your SDI ends. Makes the transition much smoother!
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorThat's so smart! I wish I'd done that, but I'll definitely file today since my baby is already a week old. Thanks for the advice!
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Zainab Omar
I tried calling EDD for literally 3 days straight when I was dealing with this same issue last month and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message before getting disconnected. So frustrating when you have a newborn and are trying to figure this stuff out! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a live person who helped me with my transition from disability to PFL. They have a video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. Worth it just to get answers right away instead of stressing about it for days.
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorThank you for suggesting this! I'll definitely check it out if I run into any issues with my application. The last thing I need with a newborn is spending hours on the phone getting nowhere.
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Sofia Ramirez
Used this 2, got thru in like 20 min after trying for days on my own
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Connor Murphy
Hi there! Congrats on your baby girl! This is a super common question, so don't worry. The transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding isn't automatic, unfortunately. You'll need to file a separate PFL claim through your SDI Online account using form DE2508. The good news is you can backdate your claim to start the day after your SDI benefits ended. One thing to note - make sure your doctor has officially closed your pregnancy disability claim before you apply for PFL. Sometimes doctors forget to submit the final paperwork which can cause delays. Also, when you apply, have your baby's birth certificate or hospital documentation ready, your last day of work info, and your employer's contact information. This will make the process go much smoother!
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorThank you so much for this detailed explanation! I'm filling out the application now. Quick question - for the "first day of family leave" should I put the day after my last SDI payment or the actual date my baby was born?
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Connor Murphy
You'll want to put the day after your last SDI payment as your first day of family leave. Don't worry about the birthday - you'll enter that separately on the form.
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StarSeeker
my sister in law just had this same issue but by the time she realized she needed to file a separate PFL claim, she'd already missed 3 weeks of potential benefits and they wouldn't backdate it for her! definitely don't wait!!
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorOmg that's terrible! I'm definitely filing today. Thank you for sharing her experience - that could have been me!
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Dmitry Volkov
Just an update - I see you're filing today which is perfect. For 2025, the max PFL benefit period is 8 weeks for baby bonding. Make sure you understand how you want to use these weeks - you can take them all at once or split them up (but splitting requires separate claims). Most people take them continuously right after SDI ends, but it's good to know your options!
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Dylan Cooper
AuthorThank you for this additional info! I'm planning to take all 8 weeks continuously. I completed my application and got a confirmation number, so fingers crossed it processes quickly!
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Sophia Rodriguez
Congratulations on your baby girl! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation last year and can confirm what everyone else is saying - you definitely need to file a separate PFL application. The transition is NOT automatic, which is super confusing because it seems like it should be! I'd recommend logging into your SDI Online account right away and look for the DE2508 form. The process is actually pretty straightforward once you find it. Just make sure you have your baby's birth info ready and set your PFL start date for the day after your SDI payments ended. One thing I learned the hard way - don't wait for any paperwork in the mail or confirmations from EDD. Just file it online as soon as possible. The system moves slowly and you don't want any gaps in your benefits during those precious first weeks with your little one. Good luck mama! 💕
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