Can I switch from EDD unemployment to paid family leave when baby arrives?

I think ur out of luck. Pretty sure u cant go from UI to PFL. U need to actually have a job to take leave from, right? Doesnt make sense otherwise.

This is actually one of the most common misconceptions about PFL in California. You CAN qualify for PFL even while on unemployment, but there are specific requirements and it works differently than if you were employed. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must have earned enough wages during your base period to establish a valid claim 2. You cannot collect UI and PFL for the same period (they'll stop your UI when PFL begins) 3. You'll need to complete the DE 2501F form for PFL 4. You'll need medical documentation of your child's birth The major difference is that with PFL while unemployed, you're not guaranteed job protection since you don't have a job to return to. But the benefit itself is available to you if you qualify based on your past wages.

No, you cannot collect both at the same time. When you start collecting PFL, your UI benefits will be paused. After your PFL period ends (up to 8 weeks), you can resume your UI claim if you still have a balance and available benefit weeks remaining.

I went through something similar last year. You're right about being able to switch from UI to PFL and then back, but your benefit year end date for UI stays the same. So if your UI claim expires while you're on PFL, you won't be able to go back to that UI claim. What I did was calculate whether it made more financial sense to take PFL or stay on UI (the weekly benefit amounts can be different). In my case, PFL paid more, so I switched. One important thing - make sure you submit your PFL application BEFORE your UI claim expires! Also, you'll need to upload documentation of your child's birth when you apply for PFL. I recommend having that ready to go so there's no delay in processing.

There was about a 10-day gap when I switched back to UI where I didn't receive any payments. The system isn't great at handling transitions. I had to call and explain that I was returning from PFL to restart my UI payments. That's actually where I ran into the biggest headache - getting through to an EDD representative. Spent days trying to get through on the phone lines.

i had a HORRIBLE experience with this exact situation and now im 15k in debt to EDD because nobody told me i cant collect both!!!!!! be VERY CAREFUL and GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING from them!!!! they will come after u years later saying u were overpaid even when its THEIR MISTAKE

Have you already reported your wife's pregnancy during your UI certifications? Remember that when you certify every two weeks, EDD asks if there's any reason you couldn't accept full-time work. Once the baby arrives, if you're needed at home and can't accept work, you technically wouldn't be eligible for UI at that point. That's exactly when PFL would make sense. Just make sure to be honest on your UI certifications about your availability for work once the baby arrives, or you could face overpayment issues later.

one thing nobody mentioned is that PFL pays like 60% or 70% of your wages not the full amount like regular unemployment. so u might get less money. its dumb but thats how it works.

Thank you all for the detailed information! I'm going to call EDD tomorrow to confirm all of this and make sure I understand the process correctly. Sounds like I need to: 1. Continue UI until the baby arrives 2. Apply for PFL once the baby is born using the DE 2501F form 3. Be prepared with birth documentation 4. Understand that my UI claim timeline doesn't extend 5. Plan for a possible gap when transitioning back to UI after PFL ends It's definitely more complicated than I expected, but I'm grateful to know that the option exists.