For those of us in California, both mother's & father's are lucky enough to benefit from legislation which provides 6 weeks of reduced weekly pay to care for an ill family member, spouse, or to bond with a new child.

CA Paid Family Leave (PFL) weekly benefits in 2010 are 55% of your weekly wages (up to a maximum weekly benefit of $987), but go up to 70% of weekly wages (up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1700) effective January 1, 2011. That's a significant increase! (It's possible after more research that my employer has a voluntary plan and this increase is provided by them and not the State PFL).

The question I have is "What action determines when you begin PFL, the birth date of the child or the date you file for PFL?"

I'm right on the edge. I technically am not going to go on PFL until January 1, 2011, but as of today I am currently on Pregnancy Disability Leave (a separate benefit provided by my employer).

• I've found no information here: http://www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/Paid_Family_Leave.htm that answers the question.  It does help you determine what your eligible for, but that's not my question exactly.
• One guy at the EDD I talked to said it's when you file your claim that determines which benefit amount you'd receive.
• The gal at Matrix (company which manages disability for my employer) says it's determined in the year you give birth.
• The HR benefits gal at my company replied saying it would be when I go on PFL.

I'm a bit miffed that I can't find a straight answer here. Does anyone know, know of an expert, or know where I can read through the actual legislation passed? I've got time!