Switching from UI to PFL baby bonding - what happens to my empty unemployment claim?

congrats on the baby!! you don't need to close the UI claim, just apply for PFL. they're separate systems at EDD. my brother did this last year and said it was fine. just make sure ur not trying to collect both at the same time lol

You're asking a good question that many don't think about until it's too late. Here's how it works: UI and PFL are completely separate benefit programs within EDD. When your UI claim reaches $0, it remains open technically for the benefit year, but you simply stop certifying for UI benefits. For the PFL baby bonding claim, you'll need to file a new claim using form DE2508. The system doesn't automatically transition you - you must apply for PFL separately. Just make sure you don't try to certify for UI during the same period you're receiving PFL (even though your UI is at $0, the system still allows certification attempts). Also remember that for baby bonding, you have up until your child's first birthday to use those 8 weeks of benefits. You don't need to take them all at once either.

I tried doing something similar and EDD messed up my claim so bad I had to wait 2 months to get paid!!! Make sure u call them and explain exactly what ur doing!!! The online system is TRASH and the people who review the claims don't know what there doing half the time!!!

I went through this exact situation in 2025. You don't need to formally close your UI claim - it stays open for the benefit year but becomes inactive when you stop certifying. For baby bonding as a father, you'll need to provide proof of relationship to the child (birth certificate) and proof of your identity. The DE2508 form will walk you through this. If you want to be extra safe, I recommend documenting the exact date of your final UI certification and the starting date of your PFL claim. Keep them at least one day apart. This helps avoid any system confusion. One thing that helped me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually talk to an EDD rep to confirm everything was set up correctly. Their service got me through to someone in about 10 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. It gave me peace of mind to have a rep confirm everything was good before I submitted my claim.

To answer your follow-up question - yes, as a father you'll need to provide documentation, but not medical documents. You'll need: 1. Birth certificate showing you're the father 2. Your ID documentation 3. Possibly something showing you live with the child (utility bill, lease, etc.) The DE2508 instructions will list exactly what's required. The process is much simpler than pregnancy disability since you're not submitting any medical certification.

sorry to jump in but i went thru something kinda similar when i had my baby. just make sure u don't file for both pfl and ui at the same time. some ppl in my mom group got flagged for fraud for overlapping dates. even if the ui claim is at $0 the system still sees u as trying to double dip if you certify for both programs during the same week!!!

Has anyone actually had a baby bonding claim denied because of an open UI claim? I feel like this might be overthinking it. The EDD knows you can't collect both at once. Just apply for the baby bonding and be done with it. I've been through the unemployment system 3 times and the PFL system twice (two kids) and honestly it's not as complicated as everyone makes it out to be.

btw how old is ur baby? remember u only get 8 weeks total for baby bonding and u have to use it in the first year after birth

Yes, you can split up your 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL. Many parents do this. You just need to file separate claims for each period. Remember that the minimum duration for a baby bonding claim is two weeks, unless the employer agrees to a shorter period. And all 8 weeks must be used before your child's first birthday. Regarding your earlier question about documentation - as others mentioned, you'll need proof of relationship (birth certificate) and your ID. There's also a section where your employer must verify your employment, so make sure to submit it with enough time for them to complete their portion. One last tip - track everything by taking screenshots of confirmations and noting your claim numbers. The EDD system sometimes has glitches, so having your own documentation can save a lot of headaches if something goes wrong.