I went through this exact same situation in 2023! Yes, you definitely need to file a completely new PFL claim since you returned to work between your disability and baby bonding. The key thing to remember is that pregnancy disability (SDI) and baby bonding (PFL) are two separate programs, even though they're both through EDD. A few tips from my experience: - File online through your EDD account - it's much faster than paper - You'll need your baby's birth certificate as proof of relationship - Make sure your last day worked date matches what your HR will report - You can file up to 30 days before your start date, so you should be fine for next week Don't worry about the disconnected calls - EDD phone system is notorious for that. The online application is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Just make sure to select "bonding with new child" and not "caring for family member" when filling it out. Good luck!

I just went through this same process in December 2024! You absolutely need to file a new PFL claim since you returned to work between your disability and baby bonding. I was in the exact same boat - disability from September to November, back to work briefly, then wanted to take my bonding time. Here's what worked for me: File online through your EDD portal ASAP since you're starting Monday. You'll need your baby's birth certificate uploaded as proof of relationship. The application asks specifically if this is for "bonding with new child" - make sure you select that option, not caregiving. One thing that tripped me up initially - your "last day worked" should be this Friday (the day before your bonding leave starts), not the last day you worked before going back after disability. EDD is super picky about this date matching what your employer reports, so double-check with HR. The good news is they'll backpay from your actual start date once approved, even if there's a processing delay. My approval took about 8 days and I got paid for all days from when I actually started my leave. Don't stress too much - the online process is way easier than trying to get through on the phone!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a terrible time to discover these coverage gaps! I'm a newer teacher too and honestly had no idea about the SDI eligibility issues until reading this thread. It's scary to realize how many of us could be in this situation. One thing I wanted to add that might help - have you checked if your district offers any flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) options that you might be able to use for medical expenses? I know it doesn't replace income, but every little bit helps when you're dealing with unexpected costs. Also, I saw someone mention the California Teachers Association earlier - they also have a Members Benefits department that sometimes knows about resources that aren't widely publicized. Might be worth a call even if you're not a full member. The support and knowledge sharing in this thread has been incredible. It really shows how we need to look out for each other in this profession. Wishing you all the best as you work through these options, and please keep us updated! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's such a shock when you discover these coverage gaps! I'm a newcomer here but have been following this thread and I'm amazed by all the helpful resources everyone has shared. As someone who works in benefits administration (not in education, but I see similar issues in other sectors), I wanted to add one more angle that might be worth exploring: check if you have any whole life insurance policies through your district or previous employers that might have accelerated death benefit riders. Sometimes these can be accessed for serious medical conditions even if they're not terminal. It's not common knowledge but could provide some financial relief. Also, since you mentioned you're dealing with a health condition, don't forget to look into whether you qualify for any medical expense deductions on your taxes - it won't help immediately but could provide some relief next filing season. The amount of support and practical advice in this community is incredible. Wishing you strength as you work through all these options! 💙

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm 24 weeks pregnant and was completely overwhelmed by the EDD process until I found this discussion. Like so many others here, I was confused about when to apply and thought I needed to do everything at once. The breakdown everyone provided about SDI first (form DE2501 for pregnancy disability) then PFL later (form DE2508 for baby bonding) has totally cleared things up for me. I love that @MoonlightSonata mentioned the automatic transition option - that sounds like exactly what I'll need! I'm definitely going to follow all the great advice here: create my online account now, talk to my doctor's office about their EDD submission process, keep a calendar of deadlines, and take photos of everything. The tip about text notifications is brilliant too - every little bit helps when you're dealing with pregnancy brain! One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here used the online system exclusively, or did some of you end up needing to mail in paper forms? I'm hoping to keep everything digital if possible since I tend to lose track of physical paperwork these days. Thank you all so much for sharing your real experiences. This community support is exactly what expecting parents need when navigating these confusing government systems! 💕

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm 29 weeks pregnant and was totally confused about the EDD timing until reading everyone's experiences here. My HR department gave me conflicting information, so getting real advice from people who've actually been through this process is invaluable. I love the detailed step-by-step breakdown everyone provided - SDI first for pregnancy disability (form DE2501), then PFL for baby bonding (form DE2508). The automatic transition option that @MoonlightSonata mentioned sounds perfect, and I'm definitely going to set up my online account this week. Quick question for those who've done this recently - when you applied for SDI, did you need any specific documentation beyond what your doctor provides? I want to make sure I have everything ready to avoid delays. Also, has anyone had experience with this process if you're planning to take the full 12 weeks of CFRA leave after your PFL ends? Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical advice. This community is amazing for cutting through all the confusing official guidance and getting real answers! 🙏

Has anyone tried contacting their local representative? I've heard sometimes they can help speed things up with EDD.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - applied 5 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep from them. It's so stressful not knowing what's happening with your application. I've been checking my bank account daily and refreshing the EDD portal constantly. Reading through these comments is actually really helpful though - I had no idea about contacting local representatives or that there were services to help get through on the phone. Definitely going to try some of these suggestions. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, at least now I know I'm not alone in this nightmare! 😩

I'm dealing with almost the exact same Kaiser situation right now! My baby is 2 weeks old and I've been going in circles with this supplemental certification thing. What finally worked for me was calling Kaiser's central appointments line and saying "I need to speak with someone about completing EDD State Disability paperwork - specifically form DE2501." They transferred me to what they called the "Disability Services Unit" and those people actually knew what I was talking about! The person I spoke with explained that Kaiser doctors often submit their own internal disability notes, but EDD has very specific requirements for their DE2501 form that need to be filled out exactly right - things like specific diagnosis codes, exact dates when you became unable to work, and detailed treatment plans. She told me to bring both the EDD notification letter AND a printed copy of the blank DE2501 form to my next appointment, then sit there while my doctor fills it out completely. Don't leave until you see them submit it through the right system! For your husband's PFL timing - we're planning the exact same thing! He's taking 2 weeks right after birth, then saving the other 6 weeks for when I go back to work in a few months. The EDD rep I spoke with confirmed this is totally allowed as long as it's within 12 months and split into no more than 2 periods. Hang in there - the paperwork nightmare does eventually get sorted out! 💙

I'm going through this exact Kaiser/EDD paperwork mess right now too! Just had my baby 3 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for my SDI benefits because of missing documentation. What I've learned from calling around is that you need to ask Kaiser specifically for their "Medical Review Department" - they handle all third-party medical forms including EDD paperwork. Regular OB offices and even some disability coordinators don't always know the specific EDD requirements. When you call, be super specific: "I need form DE2501 completed for California State Disability Insurance, and EDD has requested supplemental medical certification." Then email them the exact notification you received from EDD so they can see what's missing. Also, definitely push for an in-person appointment to get this done rather than trying to handle it over the phone. I wasted 2 weeks trying to explain what was needed via phone calls before finally going in person with all the paperwork. For your husband's PFL - that flexibility is amazing! We're doing something similar where he took 1 week initially and is saving the other 7 weeks for when I go back to work. Just make sure he keeps good documentation of when he notifies his employer about the timing changes. This whole system is so unnecessarily complicated for new parents who already have enough to deal with! But you'll get through it - just be persistent with Kaiser about getting the right people involved. Good luck! 🍀