Hey OP, quick question - did your doctor backdate the form at all? That can sometimes affect the start date of the claim. Might be worth double-checking with your doc's office.

I went through something similar a few months ago! When you call, definitely ask them to walk you through exactly how they calculated your claim start date. In my case, they were using the wrong date from my doctor's form. Also, ask if you can submit any additional documentation that might support an earlier start date - like appointment records, prescription dates, or even a letter from your doctor clarifying when your condition actually began affecting your ability to work. Don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if the first person can't give you clear answers. Document everything they tell you too!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact transition in March! My SDI ended on a mid-month date too (March 15th) and I was worried about that final partial payment. It did come through automatically about 4-5 days after my regular payment date, so don't stress if it's not exactly on schedule. For the PFL application, I cannot stress this enough - WAIT until your SDI claim shows "Returned to Work" status before applying! I got impatient and applied 2 days early, thinking it would be fine since my disability period was basically over. Big mistake! It flagged both claims and I had to spend hours on the phone getting it sorted out. The EDD rep told me this happens all the time and their system really doesn't handle overlapping claims well. My advice: Check your SDI status online on August 9th, and once it shows you've returned to work, then submit your PFL application. A day or two gap is SO much better than weeks of delays. Also make sure you select "bonding with new child" and not "caring for family member" when you apply - they're processed differently. Wishing you a smooth transition and congratulations on your new baby!

I'm actually going through a very similar situation right now! My SDI is set to end on August 15th and I'm also planning to transition to PFL for bonding time with my newborn. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about waiting until the SDI claim shows "Returned to Work" status before applying for PFL. I was originally planning to apply early to avoid any gaps, but it sounds like that could actually cause more delays. One question I have for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take for your SDI status to update to "Returned to Work" after your end date? I'm wondering if it updates automatically on the end date or if there's usually a processing delay. Also, for the PFL application itself, did most of you apply online or did anyone have better luck calling in? I've heard mixed things about the online portal. Thanks for all the detailed experiences everyone has shared - this community is amazing!

guys i just got off the phone with edd after using that claimyr thing. they fixed my pending issue in like 10 minutes! cant believe i waited so long to try it

I've been stuck in this limbo since I filed AUGUST 23. It's impossible to get a hold of anyone, even though I've try several times a day, every day. In the meantime my credit has been trashed because I can't pay CC bills and I've had to borrow money to feed my kids. Now my FMLA is up and I have to consider going back to work even though my husband needs care, because I never heard a thing, and I need to survive. This broken process is shameful, and dangerous

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been waiting 3 days for a callback and nothing. The whole "you're next in line" message feels like a cruel joke at this point. I've tried calling early morning, late afternoon, even during lunch hours - same result every time. It's incredibly frustrating when you have urgent issues that need resolving and you're just stuck in limbo. Has anyone found a specific time of day that works better, or is it really just a matter of pure luck? This system definitely needs some serious improvements.

I'm in the exact same boat and it's absolutely maddening! Been waiting 48 hours now for my "priority" callback that never came. The worst part is when you finally do get through to someone, half the time they transfer you and you get disconnected. I've started keeping a detailed log of every attempt - dates, times, reference numbers, who I spoke with - because at this point I'm convinced they just hope we'll give up. The system is beyond broken when people are literally paying third-party services just to get basic government assistance. We shouldn't have to choose between our time and our money to access services we're entitled to. Stay strong everyone - we're all in this frustrating mess together! 💪

I've been through a very similar EDD overpayment hearing for COVID-era benefits and want to echo what everyone else has said - your brother absolutely has grounds to challenge this based on the notice timing alone. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that he should also prepare a brief statement about his financial situation during 2020 and why he needed the UI benefits. Judges often consider the human impact, especially for COVID cases. Also, if his employer has any records of the closure (like company-wide emails announcing the shutdown due to health orders), those are incredibly powerful pieces of evidence since they prove the decision to stop working wasn't his. The fact that his San Jose office was completely shut down by government mandate puts him in a strong position. I'd also suggest he mention early in the hearing that he's willing to work with EDD on any legitimate overpayment issues but wants to ensure due process is followed. This shows good faith while still asserting his rights. The judges I've encountered really appreciate when people approach these hearings with that kind of cooperative but firm attitude. Hang in there - with all the documentation and preparation advice from this thread, he's going to be well-prepared for Wednesday!

Wow, what a situation! I'm really glad your brother has you advocating for him. I've been reading through all this advice and it's incredible how helpful this community is. One small thing I wanted to add - when your brother calls EDD tomorrow morning about the notice timing, make sure he gets the name and employee ID of whoever he speaks with, plus asks them to document the conversation in his case file. Sometimes having that paper trail of who acknowledged the procedural issue can be helpful if it comes up again later. Also, I know everyone's mentioned staying calm during the hearing, but I wanted to emphasize that if he feels overwhelmed at any point, it's totally okay to ask the judge for a moment to collect his thoughts or refer to his notes. The judges expect people to be nervous and are usually patient about that. Your brother is lucky to have someone like you helping him through this mess. The fact that you're both being so thorough with preparation really shows good faith, and that matters a lot in these hearings. Best of luck on Wednesday - you've got this!