Transitioning from PFL baby bonding to postpartum disability extension - new claim needed?
Help!! My 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL ends this Friday, but I'm still having postpartum complications. My doctor just gave me a medical extension for 4 more weeks, but I'm completely lost on what to do next. Do I need to file a whole new disability claim? Go back to my original pregnancy disability claim somehow? Call EDD? The online system is so confusing and I can't figure out where to even submit this medical certification. Has anyone gone from baby bonding back to disability for postpartum issues? What forms do I need??
15 comments
Join the conversation
NebulaNova
You'll need to file a new disability claim using the DE2501 form. Baby bonding (PFL) and disability are separate programs even though they're both through EDD. Your doctor needs to complete their portion certifying your postpartum condition. This is actually pretty common! I had to do it last year when I developed postpartum thyroiditis after my PFL ended.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•Thank you! Do you know if there's a waiting period since I'm filing a new claim? I'm worried about a gap in payments since my baby bonding ends Friday and I don't know how long processing takes.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
im dealing w/same thing rn!! ended PFL 2 weeks ago & started new SDI claim for ppd issues. took my doc 5 days to finish paperwork but its pending now. hope u get approved fast
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•That's good to hear! Did you file online or with a paper form? And did you have to wait for a new debit card or do they keep using the same one?
0 coins
Aisha Khan
This is a common situation, so don't worry! You need to file a NEW disability claim (SDI) since you're transitioning from PFL baby bonding back to disability. Important things to know: 1. There is NO waiting period when transitioning from PFL back to disability for the same pregnancy/postpartum condition 2. Use form DE2501 (Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits) 3. Your doctor must certify the specific postpartum complication 4. File as soon as possible - ideally before your PFL ends 5. Specify this is related to your recent pregnancy to avoid processing delays The quickest way is filing online through SDI Online rather than paper forms.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•This is SO helpful, thank you! I was panicking about a potential gap in benefits. I'll get my doctor to fill out their portion of the DE2501 ASAP and submit online.
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
The EDD system is a NIGHTMARE for these transitions!!! I went through this exact situation in January and it took FOREVER to get my postpartum disability approved after PFL. They kept saying my claim was "pending review" for THREE WEEKS while I had no income and a newborn to care for. I called literally 47 times and couldn't get through to anyone. The whole system is designed to make you give up!!
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•I had the same problem reaching EDD when transitioning claims! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent after wasting days trying to call myself. They connected me to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes instead of the hours I was spending on hold. Totally worth checking out their demo: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. The agent was able to link my claims properly and explain exactly what was happening with my paperwork.
0 coins
Carmen Lopez
Congrats on your baby! When I had mine last year the nurse at my OB's office actually handled all the paperwork for me for the postpartum extension. Maybe call your doctor's office and see if they can help with the forms? Mine said they do it all the time.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•That's a great idea, thank you! I'll call them tomorrow and see if they can help with the paperwork. I didn't even think to ask if they could handle that part.
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
just dont make the mistake i did. i didnt file my new disability claim until AFTER my baby bonding ended and had a 3 week gap with no money coming in bc of processing time. file the new claim NOW even though ur still on PFL!!!
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•Omg thank you for the warning! I'm going to file tomorrow then. I was planning to wait until Friday when my PFL officially ends. That would've been a huge mistake!
0 coins
Aisha Khan
Just to clarify the process a bit more since there's some confusion in the responses: 1. You CAN file your new disability claim before your PFL ends (and should) 2. In the new claim, make sure to indicate it's for a postpartum condition related to your previous pregnancy 3. Your benefit amount should be the same as your original disability claim 4. They'll use the same EDD debit card you already have 5. Make sure your doctor clearly documents that this is a continuation of care for a pregnancy-related condition Also, keep in mind that you're entitled to reasonable accommodations when you do return to work under both CFRA and FEHA if you're still experiencing postpartum complications.
0 coins
NebulaNova
•This is all correct. One more tip: Make a copy of EVERYTHING before you submit it. My doctor's certification got "lost" during processing and I had to resubmit it, which delayed my claim by 10 days.
0 coins
Jasmine Hancock
I went through this exact transition 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I filed my new SDI claim online 3 days before my PFL ended. The key is making sure your doctor clearly states on the DE2501 that this is a postpartum complication continuing from your pregnancy. I also wrote a brief note in the "additional information" section explaining I was transitioning from baby bonding PFL back to disability for ongoing postpartum issues. My payments continued seamlessly with only a 1-day gap. Don't stress too much - this transition is more common than you think and EDD has a process for it. The most important thing is filing BEFORE your PFL ends!
0 coins