I'm so glad you posted this question! I was in the exact same boat last year and the confusion is totally understandable. Everyone here is absolutely right - California PFL for baby bonding is still 8 weeks, no recent changes. Your coworker is probably thinking of the TOTAL leave time when you combine pregnancy disability + PFL bonding + any employer benefits, which can definitely add up to 12-16+ weeks. I had my baby in October and made the same transition from disability to PFL. Here's what I learned: definitely file your PFL claim about 2 weeks before your disability ends (like others have mentioned), and don't be afraid to split up those 8 weeks! I took 5 weeks right after my disability ended, then saved 3 weeks for later in the year when my childcare fell through unexpectedly. One tip that really helped me - I created a simple calendar showing exactly when each type of leave would start and end, including any employer benefits. It made everything so much clearer! The EDD website can be confusing, but once you understand that disability and PFL are two separate programs with separate applications, it gets easier. Hang in there - you've got this! 💪

As someone who just went through this exact situation a few months ago, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - California PFL for baby bonding is still 8 weeks, no changes! Your coworker is definitely mixing up the total leave time (which can be 14-18+ weeks when you combine disability + PFL + employer benefits) with just the PFL portion. I had my baby in December and was so confused about the same thing. What really helped me was calling it the "leave sandwich" - you get disability leave (the bread), then PFL bonding time (more bread), and sometimes employer benefits (the filling). Each piece is separate but they stack together! One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can actually overlap with your husband's PFL time, which is amazing for those first few weeks when you're both learning how to parent. We took 3 weeks together and it was honestly the best decision we made. Also, definitely take advantage of being able to split your 8 weeks - I used 6 weeks right after my disability ended, then saved 2 weeks for when my baby was 6 months old and going through a rough sleep regression phase. Having that flexibility was a lifesaver! Good luck with everything - you're going to do great! And don't stress too much about the EDD bureaucracy, it's confusing for everyone but it works out in the end. 😊

I'm a new mom who just went through this exact process a few months ago! I was also panicking about timing and ended up doing a hybrid approach similar to what you're planning. A few additional tips from my experience: - When you make copies, scan everything to your phone/computer too as a digital backup - If you drop off at the EDD office, try to go early in the morning (I went right when they opened at 8am and there was no line) - Ask for a timestamp receipt if possible - some offices will give you one, others won't, but it's worth asking - Double-check that your doctor filled out EVERY section of the DE2501. Missing info is the #1 reason for delays Also, don't stress too much about the 2-week timeline. I submitted mine literally the day before my last day of work and everything worked out fine. The system is definitely frustrating but most claims do get processed eventually. You're being super proactive by handling this at 36 weeks - I waited until 38 weeks like an idiot! Sending you positive vibes for a smooth process and healthy delivery! 🤞

As someone who works in a medical office that handles A LOT of disability paperwork, I wanted to chime in with some insider perspective on the electronic vs paper filing situation. The reality is that many medical practices, especially smaller ones, are hesitant to switch to SDI Online because there's a learning curve for staff and they're worried about making mistakes that could delay patients' claims. However, once offices DO make the switch, they usually love it because it's actually faster and reduces their paperwork burden. For your immediate situation, I'd definitely recommend the drop-off approach since you confirmed your local office has a drop box. But here's a pro tip: when you drop it off, take a photo of yourself putting it in the drop box with a timestamp. I know it sounds paranoid, but we've had patients whose forms got "lost" and having that photo evidence helped them when they had to escalate their case. Also, since you mentioned this is your first pregnancy - start thinking now about your PFL claim for baby bonding. You'll need to file that separately after delivery, and it's a completely different form (DE2508). The sooner you understand the two-step process, the less stressful it'll be when you're dealing with a newborn! Best of luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach EDD for over a week about my PFL transition and it's absolutely maddening. What's really frustrating is that they make this process so complicated when you're already exhausted from having a newborn. One thing I discovered is that the SDI Online messaging system sometimes works better if you categorize your message as "Urgent - Benefit Payment Issue" rather than just general inquiry. I got a response in 5 days instead of the usual 10+ days when I resubmitted with that category. Also, try sending your message on Monday mornings - seems like they process weekend backlog first. Really hoping you get through soon! The financial stress on top of everything else is just too much. Keep us posted on what works for you - we're all learning from each other's experiences with this broken system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD phone system is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with a newborn! I went through something similar with my PFL claim last year. One strategy that worked for me was using a combination of approaches: I'd call the direct PFL number (1-877-238-4373) right at 8:00 AM sharp while also having the Claimyr service call on my behalf as backup. The overlapping dates issue you described is super common - they need to adjust your PFL start date to be the day after your pregnancy disability officially ends, not your baby's birth date. Also, since you mentioned rent is due next week, you might want to contact your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) for emergency financial assistance resources while you're waiting for EDD to get their act together. Some counties have emergency funds specifically for situations like this where government benefits are delayed. Keep documenting every call attempt with dates and times - if this drags on much longer, your assembly member's office can really help cut through the red tape. Hang in there, mama! The benefits are retroactive so you'll get everything you're owed once they fix the dates.

So relieved to see your update! This is exactly why I always tell people to call EDD when claims are pending too long - there's usually something specific holding it up that only they can see and fix. Employer verification issues are incredibly common, especially with intermittent claims where HR has to respond multiple times throughout the year. Many employers just don't prioritize these requests or understand the tight deadlines. Glad you got your 11 days confirmed and the March payment released! That's cutting it close to your 12-month deadline but at least now you know exactly where you stand.

This is such a common issue with intermittent PFL claims! I went through something very similar when my son was born in 2022. The key things that helped me were: 1) Keep a personal spreadsheet tracking each claim period and workdays used - don't rely on EDD's system alone, 2) Always follow up with your employer's HR after submitting each claim to make sure they received and processed EDD's verification request, and 3) If a claim sits pending more than 10 business days, call immediately. The 12-month deadline is firm and EDD won't extend it even if the delays were on their end. So glad to see from the updates that you got it resolved! For anyone else reading this - intermittent PFL is totally doable but requires more proactive communication with both EDD and your employer than continuous leave.

I'm currently going through this process myself - 37 weeks pregnant and recently unemployed due to layoffs. Based on my research and what my doctor told me, definitely go with SDI first! I just submitted my DE2501 form last week and my OB was super helpful in explaining the timeline. She said most doctors are very familiar with the 4-weeks-before-due-date rule and will certify you without any issues at 36 weeks. One tip that really helped me: I called EDD's SDI line directly (not the main number) and spoke to someone who walked me through exactly what documentation I'd need. They were way more knowledgeable than the general customer service line. The number is 1-800-480-3287. Also, make sure you apply online if possible - the rep told me online applications are prioritized over mailed forms right now. Don't worry about UI at this stage - you can always apply for unemployment benefits later if needed after your PFL period ends and you're ready to job search again. Focus on securing your immediate income through disability and family leave first. The stress of juggling a job search while this pregnant just isn't worth it when you have better options available through SDI/PFL!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely go the SDI route first! I was in almost the exact same situation 8 months ago (lost my job at 35 weeks due to budget cuts) and I'm so glad I listened to advice like this. A few things that really helped me through the process: - Get your doctor appointment scheduled ASAP to start the DE2501 paperwork. Mine was booked out 2 weeks and I was panicking about timing. - When you meet with your doctor, bring a list of any pregnancy complications or discomforts you're experiencing (back pain, swelling, difficulty sleeping, etc.). This can help justify starting disability earlier than 38 weeks if needed. - Save all your recent pay stubs and tax documents in one folder - you'll need them for benefit calculations and EDD loves to ask for additional documentation. The whole process felt overwhelming when I was pregnant and stressed about money, but looking back it was actually pretty straightforward once I got that first SDI claim submitted. You'll get through this! And definitely don't feel guilty about not job hunting right now - no employer is realistically going to hire someone who's about to give birth anyway. Focus on securing your benefits and preparing for your baby. Congratulations! 🍼