Congratulations on getting those extra 6 weeks approved! That's a huge win, especially given how difficult it can be to navigate federal leave policies. I'm currently dealing with something similar as a new federal employee - it's so frustrating how we fall through the cracks between state and federal systems. Your post has been really educational for me to understand what options might be available. Enjoy that precious bonding time with your baby, and definitely follow the advice about getting everything in writing! It sounds like you really advocated well for yourself and your family.

This is such a great update thread! As someone who's been through the federal employee parental leave maze myself, I'm so happy you were able to secure those extra 6 weeks. It really shows the importance of being your own advocate and not giving up when the first answer is "no" or vague. For other federal employees reading this - Alejandro's experience really highlights that while we don't qualify for state programs like CA PFL, there ARE options available through our agencies. It might take some persistence and formal requests, but many supervisors do have discretion to approve additional unpaid leave. The key seems to be making formal written requests and being specific about your needs. The advice about getting everything in writing cannot be overstated - I've seen too many situations where verbal agreements fell through when personnel changed or memories got fuzzy. Make sure you have documentation of the leave approval, the duration, and the job protection guarantees. Enjoy every moment of that extra bonding time with your little one! 💙

Just a heads up, there's been some changes to the PFL policy recently. Make sure you're looking at the most up-to-date info on the official website. I almost messed up my application because I was using old guidelines 😅

I'm in the same boat right now - applied about 10 days ago and still waiting for that callback! The anxiety is real 😰 I've been checking my online account daily but no updates yet. Reading through these comments is actually making me feel better knowing I'm not alone in this. @Zainab Abdulrahman your checklist is gold, I'm definitely going to start keeping a log. Has anyone tried calling the main number directly or is it always just endless hold times?

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the waiting is absolutely brutal when you need that money for bills! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago and what finally worked for me was a combination of things: I called my state assembly member's office and they actually have staff who specialize in helping with EDD issues. They can't magically speed things up, but they can at least get you real information about what's holding up your claim. Also, make sure you check that your employer submitted their portion correctly - that was actually my holdup and nobody told me for weeks! In the meantime, if you're really struggling with bills, see if your local 211 has any emergency assistance programs. Hang in there - it WILL come through eventually, even though the system is absolutely broken right now. 💪

I'm dealing with a similar delay right now - going on 4 weeks with my PFL claim. What's really helped me is keeping detailed records of every interaction and submission. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, times, and what I submitted or who I spoke with. Also, if you haven't already, try contacting your local state senator's office in addition to assembly members - they often have constituent services that can help with state agency issues. I know it's incredibly stressful when bills are piling up, but from what I've seen in this community, persistence really does pay off. Keep pushing and don't give up! 💪

Congratulations on your baby girl! 🎉 I'm actually in a very similar situation - just had my little boy 4 days ago and was having the exact same confusion about this whole EDD process. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful! I had been frantically searching for some kind of "birth notification" form on the EDD website and getting nowhere. Now I understand it's actually two completely separate claims - the pregnancy disability doesn't automatically transition to baby bonding PFL. I love that everyone mentioned you can file the PFL claim right after birth while still receiving SDI payments. That's such crucial information that really should be more clearly explained by EDD! I'm planning to file my PFL application later today using the temporary birth certificate from the hospital. It's honestly such a relief to find other new parents going through this exact same confusion. The EDD system really needs to be more user-friendly for exhausted new parents, but at least we have this amazing community to help each other figure it out! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you've turned what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a manageable process. Now I can focus on enjoying these precious early days with my son instead of stressing about paperwork! 💕

Congratulations on your baby girl! 🎉 I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and this thread is exactly what I needed to see! I've been so worried about navigating the EDD system after delivery, especially since my HR department has been pretty vague about the whole process. It's such a relief to learn that there's no mysterious "birth notification" form I need to hunt down - I was starting to think I was missing something obvious! The fact that it's just two separate claims (SDI for pregnancy disability, then a new PFL claim for baby bonding) makes so much more sense now. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread to reference in a couple weeks when my little one arrives. The tip about filing the PFL claim right after birth while still receiving SDI payments is gold - I would have never known that was possible and probably would have created a gap in benefits by waiting. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so clearly! This community is amazing for helping us navigate these confusing systems during such an overwhelming time. I feel so much more prepared now! 💕

I'm new to this community but this thread is incredibly helpful! My wife and I are expecting our second baby in a few months, and I'm already trying to plan out how to use PFL strategically. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like the Mon-Fri intermittent approach is definitely doable but requires careful coordination with both EDD and your employer. The key takeaways I'm getting are: 1. Only normal workdays get paid (so weekends wouldn't be paid anyway for most people) 2. Employer approval is crucial and often overlooked 3. The certification process needs extra attention for intermittent schedules 4. Calling EDD ahead of time to clarify the process seems essential One question I have that I haven't seen addressed - for those who've done intermittent PFL, did your employer require any special documentation or just their usual approval process? My company's HR seems pretty unfamiliar with anything beyond standard consecutive leave, so I want to be prepared. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences. This kind of practical insight is exactly what expecting parents need but is so hard to find in official resources!

I'm new to this community but this discussion has been incredibly helpful! My partner is in a very similar situation - he has about 3 weeks of PFL remaining that expires in early 2026, and we've been debating whether to use it all at once or try to stretch it out. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that the Mon-Fri intermittent approach can work, but it definitely requires more planning and attention to detail than consecutive leave. The key seems to be getting all the ducks in a row beforehand - employer approval, clear documentation of work schedule, and understanding the certification timeline. @Liam O'Sullivan, your detailed explanations have been really helpful! One follow-up question - you mentioned that EDD "generally prefers" baby bonding PFL to be taken in two-week increments. Is there any downside or additional scrutiny for intermittent claims, or is it just a preference on their end? @ThunderBolt7, I'm really hoping you'll update us once your husband goes through this process. It would be so valuable to hear how it actually plays out in practice, especially with the certification submissions. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences. This is exactly the kind of practical guidance that's impossible to find in the official EDD materials!