Used 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL already - can I quit and get remaining benefits or use unemployment?

Unfortunately, if you voluntarily quit your job, you generally won't qualify for the remaining PFL baby bonding benefits. PFL requires you to have an active employment relationship with your employer. Unemployment is also tricky in this case since voluntarily quitting without "good cause" can disqualify you from benefits. Have you considered asking your employer about reduced hours or remote work? Or perhaps taking a leave of absence? These might preserve your eligibility for the remaining PFL benefits while you sort out childcare.

idk about the PFL stuff but my sister went thru similar with her baby. she ended up joining a babysitting co-op with other moms in her neighborhood. they take turns watching each others kids. saved her like $1200/month. maybe check facebook for groups like that near u?

The whole system is BROKEN!!!! I was in your exact situation last year. Couldn't find childcare, employer refused to be flexible, and then when I tried to get help from EDD they treated me like I was trying to commit fraud or something. I ended up having to move in with my parents so they could help with the baby while I worked. The childcare crisis is REAL and nobody in government seems to care that parents are suffering!!!!!

To directly answer your question: For unemployment, childcare issues CAN sometimes qualify as "good cause" for quitting, but it depends on several factors. EDD will want to see that: 1) You made reasonable efforts to preserve your job (requesting schedule changes, leaves of absence, etc.) 2) You've actively searched for childcare solutions 3) The childcare problem made it impossible to continue working For your remaining PFL baby bonding time: You're correct that you have 12 months from your child's birth to use it, but you must be employed, on leave from employment, or be self-employed AND have contributed to SDI within the previous 18 months. Have you spoken with an EDD representative directly about your specific situation? Getting the most accurate information for your particular circumstances is crucial.

When I was dealing with PFL issues last month, I spent hours trying to reach an EDD representative with no luck. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at EDD in about 20 minutes instead of spending all day calling. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The EDD agent I spoke with explained that I could actually qualify for unemployment with childcare issues IF I could prove I had actively sought multiple childcare options and none were available or affordable. She also clarified my remaining PFL benefits. Worth getting the official word on your specific situation.

Have you looked into FMLA leave? That's different from PFL and might give you job protection while you figure out childcare. Also check if your state has any additional family leave protections beyond the federal FMLA. Some states are more generous.

do u have family nearby? my mom watches my kids 2 days a week and i only need to pay for daycare the other 3 days. saves tons of $$$ and stress

Based on all the information shared, here are your best options in order: 1. If you haven't used your CFRA/FMLA time, request this formal leave of absence while continuing your childcare search. This preserves your job and PFL eligibility. 2. If you must quit, document EVERYTHING about your childcare search efforts. Every waitlist email, every rejection, costs, etc. This documentation will be crucial if you apply for unemployment based on lack of childcare. 3. Before making any decisions, speak directly with an EDD representative about your specific case. With proper documentation, childcare issues can sometimes qualify you for unemployment even after voluntarily quitting. 4. Look into alternative childcare options like nanny shares, co-ops, or au pairs, which might be more available than traditional daycare centers. Remember that whatever decision you make now isn't necessarily permanent. Many parents cycle through different arrangements as circumstances change.

I went through something similar when my daughter was born. One thing that helped me was contacting my local Resource and Referral agency (R&R) - they maintain waiting lists for multiple daycares and can alert you when spots open up. They also have lists of licensed family daycare providers that might have more availability than centers. Also, if you do end up needing to quit, make sure you get documentation from your employer showing they denied your requests for accommodation (schedule changes, etc.). Email them your requests so you have a paper trail - this could be important for unemployment eligibility. Hang in there - the first year is the hardest and you're doing everything you can in an impossible situation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the childcare crisis is real and it's especially hard when you're already dealing with postpartum stress. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking with your county's Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) program. They often have emergency childcare lists and can sometimes help with temporary solutions while you're on a waiting list for permanent care. Also, if your employer has an HR department, it might be worth having a formal conversation about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - postpartum depression/anxiety can sometimes qualify for reasonable accommodations like flexible scheduling. Even if they've said no before, getting their refusal in writing could strengthen your case for "good cause" if you do need to quit. You're not failing - you're navigating an impossible system. Whatever you decide, document everything and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself with EDD. Many parents have been in your shoes and found solutions, even when it felt hopeless.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now with my 5-month-old! The childcare shortage is absolutely insane. One thing that's helped me buy some time is looking into family daycare providers instead of just centers - they often have more flexibility and shorter wait times. I found mine through Care.com and Sittercity.com. Also, have you checked if your employer offers any kind of backup childcare benefits? Some companies partner with services like Bright Horizons that provide emergency care when your regular arrangement falls through. It's usually only a few days per month but it could help bridge gaps while you're figuring things out. I know it feels overwhelming but you're handling an impossible situation as best you can. The system is broken, not you!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this impossible situation. As a parent who went through something similar, I want to add one more resource that might help: many counties in California have subsidized childcare programs through their Department of Social Services. The waitlists can be long, but if you qualify based on income, it could be a huge financial relief once you get in. Also, since you mentioned you're in healthcare, I wonder if your workplace has any connections to other healthcare workers who might need childcare? Sometimes informal networks of healthcare families end up sharing nannies or doing childcare swaps since you all understand the demanding schedules. One last thought - if you do decide to take CFRA leave as others suggested, you might be able to use your remaining PFL benefits during that leave to get some income while you sort everything out. But definitely confirm this with EDD first since the rules can be tricky. You're doing everything right in an impossible system. The fact that you're researching all these options shows what a dedicated parent you are.

I'm a new parent myself and while I haven't been in your exact situation, I wanted to share something that might help. I recently learned that California has a program called Alternative Payment (AP) that provides childcare vouchers for working families. Unlike traditional subsidized daycare, you can use these vouchers with any licensed provider - including family daycare homes, nannies, or even relatives who get licensed. The application process can take a while, but it might be worth applying now since you're dealing with affordability issues on top of availability. You can find your local AP agency through the California Department of Education website. Also, I saw you mentioned you're in healthcare - have you checked if your hospital system has any partnerships with childcare centers? Some of the larger health systems in CA have started offering priority enrollment or discounted rates at certain facilities because they recognize how critical this issue is for retaining staff. Wishing you the best of luck navigating this. The whole system really needs to change, but in the meantime I hope some of these resources help bridge the gap while you figure out your next steps with PFL and employment.

I'm a working parent who went through a very similar childcare crisis last year, and I wanted to share something that ended up being a lifesaver for me. Have you looked into whether your area has any emergency or drop-in childcare centers? These are different from regular daycares - they're designed for parents who need temporary care while they're searching for permanent solutions or dealing with childcare disruptions. I found one through 211 (you can call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) that allowed me to use their services a few days per week while I was on waiting lists elsewhere. It was more expensive per day than regular daycare, but it kept me from having to miss work and lose income entirely. Some of these centers also have connections to permanent daycare spots that aren't advertised publicly. Also, since you mentioned being in healthcare, check if your state nursing association or other professional healthcare organizations have any member resources or bulletin boards for childcare referrals. Healthcare workers often understand each other's scheduling challenges better than general childcare providers. The combination of CFRA leave that others mentioned plus using these emergency childcare options strategically might give you the breathing room to find something permanent without having to quit entirely. You're dealing with an incredibly broken system, but you're not out of options yet!

I'm a parent who went through a similar childcare nightmare when my son was 6 months old. One thing that really helped was reaching out to local churches and community centers - many have informal networks of trusted babysitters or even small home-based childcare operations that aren't widely advertised. Also, consider posting in your neighborhood's Nextdoor app or Facebook groups. I found my current nanny through a neighbor's recommendation, and she was available immediately while all the daycare centers had months-long waitlists. Regarding your PFL question - I'd strongly recommend getting that official answer from EDD before making any major decisions. The rules around employment relationships and PFL eligibility can be really specific to your situation. Hang in there - I know it feels impossible right now, but you will find a solution. The childcare system is absolutely broken, but somehow we all manage to figure it out eventually. You're being a great advocate for your family by exploring all these options!

I'm a new parent myself and reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I'm saving this thread for future reference! Your situation really highlights how broken our childcare system is, but I'm amazed at how many resources and options people have shared here that I never knew existed. One additional thought that might help in the immediate term: have you considered reaching out to your pediatrician's office? They often have bulletin boards with childcare providers, nanny shares, or parent groups that aren't advertised elsewhere. The families you meet through your pediatrician are usually local and in similar life stages, so there might be opportunities for informal arrangements or referrals. Also, if you have any mom friends from prenatal classes, hospital groups, or even just people you've met at the pediatrician - now might be the time to reach out even if you haven't stayed in close touch. Other parents are usually incredibly understanding and helpful when it comes to childcare emergencies, and they might know of resources or have ideas you haven't thought of. Wishing you all the best as you work through this incredibly challenging situation. You're clearly a thoughtful, resourceful parent who's doing everything possible in an impossible system!