I'm going through this exact situation right now! Filed my PFL claim on March 10th after my SDI ended, got my first payment last Friday for just one week, and have been anxiously checking my account every day since. Reading through all these responses is such a relief - I had no idea about the bi-weekly schedule or that the transition from SDI causes delays. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't explain any of this clearly when you're applying. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, especially knowing the typical timeline helps so much when you're stressed about finances with a new little one!

Just want to add another data point for anyone else going through this - I had my baby in January and went through the exact same SDI to PFL transition. The payment timing that Evelyn outlined is exactly what happened to me: first PFL payment was one week, then regular bi-weekly payments every Thursday after that. The waiting period between that first payment and the second one felt SO long when you're already stressed about everything else with a newborn! But it did come through right on schedule. For what it's worth, I also never had to certify or fill out any additional forms for baby bonding PFL - once the initial claim was approved for my 8 weeks, everything processed automatically. The system definitely works, it's just not very transparent about the timeline which makes it nerve-wracking!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the exact same thing happened to me when my son was born 3 months ago! The SDI to PFL transition is definitely where most claims get stuck, and it's infuriating that EDD doesn't warn people about this issue. Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of trying: 1. Called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday - got through after 42 minutes on hold 2. Had everything written down: claim number, SSN, baby's birth certificate number (not just date), and specific questions 3. Asked the rep to check my "claim transition status between SDI and PFL" - those exact words seemed to help 4. The rep found that my claims weren't linked and fixed it manually on the spot 5. Got my first PFL payment 3 days later! The representative told me this SDI/PFL linking issue happens to about 30% of baby bonding claims and they have to fix each one manually. It's completely ridiculous that their systems don't talk to each other properly. If calling doesn't work after a few attempts, definitely try your assembly member's office - they have staff dedicated to EDD issues and can escalate your case. You can find yours at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Don't give up! Your benefits are rightfully yours and this delay isn't your fault - it's EDD's broken system. Hang in there mama, you've got this! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! I just went through the exact same nightmare with my PFL claim when my daughter was born 2 months ago. Like so many others here, my claim got stuck in the SDI to PFL transition and I spent weeks trying to get through to someone. What finally worked for me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday morning - I got through after about 35 minutes on hold. The representative discovered that my SDI and PFL claims weren't properly linked in their system (apparently this happens to a shocking number of claims) and she fixed it manually during our call. I received my first payment within 48 hours! A few tips that helped me: - Have everything ready: claim number, SSN, your baby's birth certificate number, and write down your specific questions - When you get someone on the line, ask them to check your "claim transition status between SDI and PFL" - Be specific that you need them to verify the claims are properly linked in their system - Put the call on speaker so you can tend to your baby while waiting If the phone route doesn't work after a few more attempts, definitely contact your state assembly member's office - they have dedicated staff for EDD issues who can file official inquiries that bypass the regular system. You're absolutely not alone in this struggle, and it's not your fault that EDD's systems are so broken. Your benefits are rightfully yours - don't let their dysfunction discourage you from fighting for what you've earned. Hang in there and keep us updated! 💪❤️

As someone completely new to PFL, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm actually in the early stages of planning my own PFL application and was feeling pretty lost navigating all the requirements and paperwork. Reading through everyone's real-world experiences here has given me such a clearer picture of what to expect. @Zara Khan - definitely sounds like calling ASAP about that duplicate application is your best bet based on what everyone's shared. The advice about having confirmation numbers ready and asking for notes to be added to your file seems like gold! I'm bookmarking this thread and taking detailed notes on all the strategies people have mentioned - the Tuesday/Wednesday 8 AM calling window, having all documentation ready beforehand, and being prepared for long hold times. These are the kinds of practical tips you just can't find on the official EDD website. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive space for navigating this complex system. As a newcomer, I really appreciate how welcoming and helpful this community is! Looking forward to contributing my own experiences once I go through the process myself. 🙏

Hey there! As someone who's completely new to the PFL system, this thread has been an absolute goldmine of information! I'm actually preparing to submit my own PFL application in the coming weeks and was feeling pretty anxious about the whole process until I stumbled upon this discussion. @Zara Khan - it really sounds like you've gotten some fantastic advice here about dealing with that duplicate application situation. The consensus seems clear: call EDD ASAP with both confirmation numbers in hand and ask them to put a note in your file about the cancellation. Based on what everyone's sharing, this is definitely a fixable issue if you act quickly! I'm taking detailed notes on all the strategies mentioned here - calling Tuesday/Wednesday mornings right at 8 AM, having all documentation ready (SSN, employment details, medical docs, bank info), and being prepared for potentially long hold times. These insider tips are exactly what I needed to feel more confident about navigating the system. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive environment for PFL newcomers like myself. It's incredible how much clearer this whole process becomes when you have real people sharing their actual experiences rather than trying to decode confusing government websites alone. This community is truly a lifesaver! 🙌

As someone who just completed a split PFL leave last fall, I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me: **Documentation is everything** - I created a simple folder (digital and physical) with copies of my original claim, all correspondence with EDD, and my employer's verification forms. This saved me so much time when filing the second application because I had all the reference info at my fingertips. **Be proactive with your employer** - I scheduled a meeting with HR about 6 weeks before my planned second leave to walk them through the process. I brought the EDD guidelines and explained exactly what they'd need to verify. This prevented any last-minute confusion or delays. **Track your benefit usage** - The EDD online portal shows your remaining balance, but I also kept my own simple spreadsheet tracking weeks used vs. remaining. It helped me plan the exact timing of my second portion. **Consider your employer's busy periods** - I strategically planned my split around my company's less busy season, which made the whole process smoother for everyone involved. The split leave option is such a game-changer for families! It let me bond with my baby initially, then be there for him again when my partner returned to work. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - with good planning, it's totally manageable.

This entire thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm a new dad planning to split my 8-week PFL leave and was honestly pretty stressed about the whole process until I found all your detailed experiences here. I'm planning to take 3 weeks initially when our baby arrives next month, then save the remaining 5 weeks for later in the year when my wife goes back to work. Based on everything I've read here, my game plan is: 1. Keep track of my original claim number from the first application 2. Submit a new DE 2501F application about 3 weeks before my second portion starts 3. Make sure HR verifies my return-to-work period between leaves 4. Use that Claimyr service if I need to actually talk to someone at EDD One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on how you can split the 8 weeks? Like, could I theoretically do something like 3 weeks, then 2 weeks, then 3 weeks (three separate portions) as long as it's all within the 12-month window? Or is it limited to just two portions? Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this community knowledge is so much more valuable than trying to decode the official EDD website!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently expecting my first baby and was honestly considering doing some remote work during my PFL leave to help with expenses. After reading through everyone's experiences and advice, I've completely changed my mind. The point about the dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction was a huge eye-opener - I had no idea that any earnings would directly reduce my PFL benefits, essentially making the extra work financially pointless. Combined with the very real risk of EDD viewing regular work as inconsistent with the bonding purpose of the leave, it's just not worth the potential consequences. What really convinced me was hearing from so many actual parents about how much more intense and unpredictable newborn care is than expected. I think I was being way too optimistic about having reliable "downtime" to work during naps. The reality check about focusing entirely on bonding and recovery during those 12 weeks makes so much sense. I'm definitely going to look into the assistance programs everyone mentioned - WIC, CalFresh, local diaper banks, and community resources. I had no idea so many support options existed for new families. The suggestions about meal prepping and stocking up on essentials beforehand also sound like smart preparation strategies. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share such detailed, honest experiences. This discussion has probably saved me from making a costly mistake while helping me understand what PFL bonding leave is really meant for. Those 12 weeks should be treated as precious, dedicated family time - not an opportunity to squeeze in extra work!

As someone who's currently navigating this exact situation with my newborn (just finished my PFL leave last month), I wanted to share my experience to help answer your question. I initially had the same thoughts about picking up some freelance work during those 12 weeks, but I'm so glad I decided against it after doing research similar to what's been discussed here. The reality of those first few months is that you truly need every bit of mental and physical energy for your baby. Even when my little one was napping, I was either catching up on my own sleep, doing basic household tasks, or just trying to process the huge life change. The idea of managing client deadlines or work commitments on top of night feedings, diaper changes, and learning to breastfeed would have been overwhelming. From a practical standpoint, the dollar-for-dollar benefit reduction makes it financially pointless anyway, and the risk of EDD determining you're not truly using the leave for bonding purposes just isn't worth it. I ended up applying for WIC and found some amazing local resources through our community center that helped bridge the financial gap. My advice? Trust the process and focus entirely on bonding with your baby. Those 12 weeks will fly by faster than you think, and you'll be amazed at how much you need that dedicated time to adjust to parenthood. The work opportunities will still be there when you're ready, but this precious bonding time with your newborn is irreplaceable.