Accidentally filed PFL instead of SDI after C-section - benefits stopped & can't reach EDD

This happens more often than you'd think! You need to contact the PFL department specifically to cancel that claim first, then contact SDI to reactivate your disability claim. The problem is they're separate departments even though they're both part of EDD. You'll need to explain that you mistakenly filed for PFL while still eligible for pregnancy disability. The key is getting your doctor to verify you're still under medical care post-C-section and haven't been released back to work yet. Make sure to emphasize that you need retroactive payment for the missed weeks - they can do this once your claim is sorted out.

omg i did THE EXACT SAME THING last year!! it's like they make the forms confusing on purpose!! took me FOREVER to fix it. eventually got it sorted but missed like 6 weeks of payments. nightmare

I work as an HR benefits coordinator, and I see this confusion between SDI and PFL frequently with our employees. Here's what you need to do: 1. You need written documentation from your doctor confirming you're still under post-partum disability care until your release date (March 15th). 2. Contact the PFL office first to withdraw your PFL claim - be very clear that it was filed in error while still under pregnancy disability. 3. Then contact SDI to reactivate your claim with the documentation from your doctor. 4. Request retroactive payments for the missed period. The system is unfortunately set up where filing for PFL automatically assumes you're done with disability and ready for bonding time, which is why your SDI claim was terminated. But this is fixable! Do you have your original DE 2501 form (doctor's certification) with your estimated recovery period? That will be crucial evidence.

This is why the EDD system is completely broken. They design these programs to be so easily disrupted and then make it IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone to fix their mistakes. I had a similar issue (not identical but also couldn't reach anyone) and wasted 3 months of my life trying to get it resolved. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PEOPLE GIVE UP!!! Maybe try contacting your state representative's office? Sometimes they can intervene on your behalf.

I had success using Claimyr to get through to an EDD SDI agent when I was in a similar situation! I was skeptical at first but desperate after trying for weeks. Their service connected me with an EDD agent in about 25 minutes when I couldn't get through at all on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works. The rep I spoke with was able to submit the cancellation request for my incorrect claim and reinstate my proper benefits. Saved me from driving 4 hours to an office!

my sister had a baby last year and went thru the same thing with her SDI. she ended up faxing (yes, FAXING lol) her cancellation request to the PFL department and then had to wait like 10 days before calling SDI to restart her claim. it was a whole process but she got it fixed eventually.

One thing to keep in mind - when you finally do get through, make sure they understand this needs to be treated as a REINSTATEMENT of your SDI claim, not a new claim. A new claim would trigger a new waiting period and you'd lose more money. Also, request that they make the correction effective from the date of the error (January 22nd) so you get full retroactive payment. Be very specific about wanting backpay for all weeks missed. Some representatives don't automatically process this unless you explicitly ask.

ok my sis said she faxed to 1-916-319-4494 but said there's also supposed to be a form online you can submit to cancel a claim. she couldnt remember what it was called tho sorry!

Just want to say I'm dealing with almost the same situation - except I'm on regular disability not pregnancy. I got through to someone last week using the Claimyr service the other person mentioned. Took about 30 mins to connect but WAY better than the 100+ calls I was making on my own. The EDD agent was able to fix my claim status that day and said I should receive my backpay within 10 days. Fingers crossed! Good luck with your situation - the stress of no income while caring for a newborn must be awful.

One final tip: when you get through to someone, get their ID number or name, and ask for a direct callback number or extension if possible. Also request a confirmation number for any changes they make to your claim. This gives you reference information if you need to follow up. And make sure to document the date/time of the call and what was discussed. This has helped many of our employees when they've had to make multiple calls to resolve EDD issues.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the combination of recovering from a C-section, caring for a newborn, AND dealing with EDD bureaucracy sounds absolutely overwhelming! I went through something similar (though not identical) last year and it took about 6 weeks to fully resolve, but I did get all my backpay eventually. A few additional thoughts based on what others have shared: 1. If you do try the Claimyr service, call early in the morning (like 8:00-8:30 AM) when wait times are typically shorter 2. Have ALL your documentation ready before the call - your DE 2501 form, claim numbers for both SDI and PFL, dates when payments stopped, etc. 3. Consider also reaching out to your local Assembly member's office - their constituent services team can sometimes expedite EDD issues when people are facing financial hardship The system is definitely broken, but your situation IS fixable. The fact that you have clear documentation showing you were still under medical care when you accidentally filed PFL should work in your favor. Hang in there - you've got this! And please do update us when you get it resolved.

I'm a new mom dealing with a similar EDD nightmare right now! Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying - it's crazy how common this mix-up seems to be. I haven't made the PFL mistake yet (thankfully!) but I'm on SDI for postpartum recovery and living in constant fear that I'll accidentally mess something up with their confusing forms. @Nathan Kim - I really feel for you having to deal with this while recovering from a C-section and caring for a newborn. That's an incredible amount of stress on top of what should be a healing time. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like the Claimyr service might be your best bet for actually reaching a human. I'm bookmarking that in case I run into issues too. One thing I wanted to add that might help - when I was setting up my initial SDI claim, my doctor's office mentioned that they deal with EDD paperwork confusion all the time. Your OB's office might be able to help clarify the difference between disability and family leave documentation, or even provide additional supporting letters if needed. They've probably seen this exact situation before. Really hoping you get through to someone soon and get your backpay sorted out! Please do update us - I'm sure there are other moms lurking here who could benefit from knowing how this gets resolved.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this mess - what a nightmare to handle while recovering from surgery and caring for a newborn! I work at a law firm that handles employment issues and we see EDD mix-ups like this more often than we should. A few things that might help beyond what others have mentioned: 1. When you do get through (and you will!), ask the agent to email you a confirmation of any changes they make to your claims. Don't just rely on verbal confirmation. 2. If the Claimyr service doesn't work, try calling the SDI technical support line at 1-800-480-3287 instead of the main number. Sometimes it has shorter wait times. 3. Document EVERYTHING - dates you called, how long you waited, who you spoke with. If this drags on, you may need to file a complaint with the state. The good news is that since you have clear medical documentation showing you were still disabled when you filed the PFL by mistake, this should be resolvable. It's just a matter of getting through their terrible phone system. Don't give up - you deserve those benefits and backpay!

What an incredibly frustrating situation - I can't imagine dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare while recovering from a C-section and caring for a newborn! The fact that EDD makes it so easy to accidentally mess up your claim but nearly impossible to fix it is absolutely infuriating. I had a different but equally maddening EDD issue last year (unemployment benefits got randomly suspended) and after weeks of failed phone attempts, I ended up having success with a combination approach: 1. Filed a complaint through the CA State Auditor's whistleblower portal - they have an EDD section specifically for reporting problems 2. Contacted my Assembly member's office (as others mentioned) 3. Also tried the Better Business Bureau complaint system The Assembly member's office actually got back to me within 48 hours and had someone from EDD contact me directly within a week. Sometimes external pressure is the only thing that works with this broken system. Given that you have clear documentation showing you were still under medical care when the PFL was mistakenly filed, you have a strong case for reinstatement with full backpay. This is 100% their system's fault for making the process so confusing. Definitely try the Claimyr service first since others have had success, but don't hesitate to escalate through official complaint channels if needed. You shouldn't have to suffer financially because of EDD's terrible design. Rooting for you to get this resolved quickly!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! As someone who works in disability advocacy, I see this exact confusion between SDI and PFL constantly - you're definitely not alone. The EDD's forms are intentionally confusing and their phone system is designed to discourage people from getting help. Here's what has worked for my clients in similar situations: 1. Try calling the SDI line at 1-800-480-3287 at exactly 8:00 AM - this line often has better response rates than the main PFL number 2. When you do get through, immediately ask for a "tier 2" specialist who handles claim reinstatements - don't let them transfer you around 3. Use these exact words: "I need to CANCEL my erroneously filed PFL claim and REINSTATE my SDI claim with retroactive benefits from January 22nd due to continued post-operative disability" The key legal point here is that you were still medically disabled when you accidentally filed PFL - your doctor's clearance date of March 15th proves this. EDD is required to honor the continuous disability period regardless of their confusing paperwork. If phone calls fail completely, submit a written request through your online EDD portal AND mail a certified letter to: EDD Disability Insurance Branch PO Box 989554 West Sacramento, CA 95798-9554 Document everything and don't give up - you're entitled to every penny of those missed benefits!

I'm a new mom who just went through a very similar situation last month! I accidentally filed PFL while still on SDI for postpartum recovery (not a C-section, but still disability leave) and it was absolutely terrifying when my payments stopped. Here's what worked for me after reading posts like this one: I used the Claimyr service that others mentioned - it really does work! I was skeptical too but got connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes after failing to get through on my own for 3 weeks. The key things that helped: 1. Called at exactly 8:00 AM using their service 2. Had ALL my paperwork ready - original DE 2501 form, both claim numbers, dates everything happened 3. Used the exact language someone suggested: asked to "cancel the erroneously filed PFL claim and reinstate my SDI claim with retroactive benefits" 4. Asked for a tier 2 specialist immediately 5. Got the agent's ID number and a confirmation number The whole call took about 45 minutes but they fixed everything that day! My SDI was reactivated within 48 hours and I received my backpay (about 5 weeks worth) within 10 business days. The agent told me this happens ALL the time with new parents because the forms are so confusing when you're sleep-deprived. Don't beat yourself up - this is EDD's fault for having such a terrible system design. You WILL get through this and you WILL get your money back. Your situation is completely fixable since you have the medical documentation. Hang in there mama - the stress is awful but there's light at the end of the tunnel! 💙