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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I'm currently waiting for my PFL check too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim was approved 6 days ago and I'm starting to get anxious about when it will arrive. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that it should be coming soon. I especially appreciate the tip about USPS Informed Delivery - just signed up and it's already giving me peace of mind knowing I'll get advance notice. For anyone else in the same boat, it seems like the key takeaways are: watch for status change to "paid" in the portal, expect 7-10 days total from approval, and secure your mailbox. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - this community is amazing for getting real-world experiences instead of just generic government website info!
I'm in the same exact situation! Just starting my PFL journey and this thread has been such a lifesaver. It's so reassuring to see actual timelines from real people rather than the vague "allow 10-14 business days" you see on the official sites. The USPS Informed Delivery tip is brilliant - definitely signing up for that today! Six days in for you means you should hopefully see that status change to "paid" any day now. Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us waiting - this community really does make the stressful parts so much more manageable when you know others are going through the same thing!
I'm also waiting for my PFL paper check and this thread is exactly what I needed to find! My claim was approved 4 days ago and I've been checking the portal obsessively. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should see the status change to "paid" in the next day or two, then expect the actual check within a week after that. The USPS Informed Delivery recommendation keeps coming up - definitely going to set that up today. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money, but reading all these real timelines from people who've been through it recently is really helping manage my expectations. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this is way more helpful than the generic EDD website info!
You're right on track with that timeline! I just went through this exact process and the obsessive portal checking is so relatable 😅 Based on my experience and what others have shared here, 4 days post-approval means you should definitely see that "paid" status change soon. The USPS Informed Delivery really is a game changer - I wish I had known about it earlier in my process. It's amazing how much this thread has helped normalize the anxiety we all feel waiting for these checks. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line!
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Just jumping in as someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but finally creating an account because this thread is so helpful! I'm actually preparing to apply for PFL in the next few weeks and was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that duplicate applications are fixable and that there are actual strategies for getting through to someone on the phone. I had no idea about calling on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings or having all your documentation ready beforehand. @Zara Khan I hope you get both issues sorted out quickly! It sounds like you've got a solid game plan now thanks to all the advice here. For anyone else who's new to this like me - this community is amazing and I'm so glad I found it. Sometimes it really does take a village to navigate government bureaucracy! 😅 Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - you're all lifesavers! 🌟
@Emily Nguyen-Smith Welcome to the community! It s'so great to see new members joining and finding value in the shared experiences here. I totally understand that overwhelmed feeling when you re'starting the PFL process - I felt the same way when I first started researching it. This thread has been such a goldmine of practical advice that you just can t'find on the official EDD website. The tip about calling on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings is something I never would have thought of but makes so much sense! It s'amazing how much easier these processes become when you have real people sharing their actual experiences instead of just trying to decipher government websites. Best of luck with your upcoming application - sounds like you re'going to be well-prepared thanks to all the wisdom shared here! 🤗
As someone who's completely new to the PFL world, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly detailed thread! I'm planning to apply for PFL in a couple months and was honestly pretty intimidated by the whole process. Reading through all these real experiences and practical tips has made me feel so much more prepared. @Zara Khan - it sounds like you've got great advice here about calling ASAP for that duplicate application issue. The tip about having both confirmation numbers ready seems crucial! And for your wife's split leave planning, all the documentation advice people have shared seems spot-on. I'm taking notes on everything - calling Tuesday/Wednesday mornings, having all docs ready, asking for notes to be put in the file, getting confirmation numbers written down. This is the kind of insider knowledge you just can't get from official websites! Quick question for anyone who's been through this - is there a particular time of day that works best for calling, or is it just the day of the week that matters most? Trying to plan my strategy for when I need to make my own calls! Thanks again to this amazing community for being so welcoming and helpful to newcomers like me! 🙌
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This is such a common issue with EDD unfortunately! I went through something similar last year where they had my disability dates completely wrong. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the disability insurance number (not the main EDD line) at exactly 8:00 AM and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The DI reps seem to have more authority to make these date corrections on the spot. Make sure you have your SDI number ready and all your original paperwork. When I explained the discrepancy and provided the correct dates from my physician's form, they were able to fix it immediately and even backdated my payments. Also, if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - Mondays and Fridays are usually swamped. Don't give up, this is definitely fixable! 🙏
@Mateo Warren This is incredibly helpful! I had no idea there was a separate disability insurance number - I ve'been calling the main EDD line this whole time like an idiot 🤦♀️ The fact that the DI reps have more authority to make immediate corrections makes so much sense. I m'definitely going to try calling that number tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp. And the Tuesday/Wednesday tip is gold - I ve'been trying Mondays thinking I d'start "the week fresh but" that s'probably when everyone else calls too. Thanks for sharing what actually worked for you - gives me hope that this nightmare can actually end!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! EDD has my return to work date as January 2025 when it should be May 2025 - a 4 month difference that's completely screwing up my benefits. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring (I'm not alone!) and frustrating (this is clearly a systemic issue). I'm going to try @Mateo Warren's suggestion about calling the disability insurance number directly at 8 AM on a Tuesday. I had no idea there was a separate line with reps who have more authority. Also planning to contact my assembly member like @Sophia Miller suggested - never thought of that route but it makes sense they might have more pull with EDD. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and actual solutions. This system is broken but at least we're helping each other figure out how to work around it! 💪
@Olivia Harris I m'so sorry you re'dealing with this too! A 4-month difference is absolutely insane - that s'not just a typo, that s'a major screw-up that s'probably affecting everything from your payment schedule to your benefit duration. I m'glad this thread has been helpful though! The separate disability insurance line tip from @Mateo Warren is definitely a game-changer - I wish I d known'about that earlier. And yeah, the assembly member route seems like it could really cut through the red tape when EDD is being unresponsive. Keep us posted on how it goes with the Tuesday morning call! Fingers crossed you get a competent rep who can fix this mess immediately. We re all'rooting for you! 🤞
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This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant and was honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed about the financial side of maternity leave. Like many of you, I had just accepted that I'd be living on 60-70% of my income for several months. I work for a tech startup (about 80 employees) that's been growing quickly, and while they offer decent benefits, I don't think maternity leave supplemental pay has ever been on their radar. After reading all your experiences and advice, I'm feeling much more confident about approaching this conversation. The point about framing it as enhancing competitive benefits really resonates with me - our company is always talking about how we need to compete with bigger tech companies for talent, and this seems like exactly the kind of benefit that could make a real difference in recruitment and retention. I'm planning to use the timeline approach several of you mentioned, along with the specific dollar amounts suggestion. I think having concrete numbers will help them understand both the actual cost and the value proposition. One thing I'm curious about - for those of you at smaller companies who successfully implemented this, did you face any challenges with the company's existing payroll or benefits systems? I'm wondering if I should proactively suggest they connect with our payroll provider (we use Gusto) to make sure there aren't any technical hurdles. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences and practical advice. This community has given me the tools and confidence to advocate for myself in a way I never would have thought possible! 🌟
This is such a smart question about payroll systems! I actually ran into this exact issue with my company's payroll provider (we use ADP). When I first brought up supplemental pay to HR, they were worried about how to implement it technically, which almost derailed the whole conversation. What ended up being a game-changer was when I proactively reached out to ADP's customer support myself and asked about their process for maternity leave wage supplementation. Turns out they have a standard procedure and even have templates for exactly this situation! I was able to forward that information to HR, which removed their biggest concern about implementation complexity. Since you're using Gusto, I'd definitely recommend calling them before your HR meeting. You could even ask them to send you documentation about their supplemental pay process that you can bring to the conversation. Having that technical roadmap ready made my HR team so much more receptive to the idea. Also, the tech startup angle is huge for your business case! In my experience, startups are often more agile about implementing new benefits when they see the competitive advantage. The fact that your company is already focused on competing for talent makes this a perfect fit for their existing priorities. You're being so strategic about this approach - I think you're going to have great success! Keep us posted on how the conversation goes! 🚀
This entire discussion has been such an eye-opener! I'm 22 weeks pregnant and honestly had resigned myself to the significant pay cut during maternity leave. Reading everyone's detailed experiences and success stories has completely changed my perspective on what's possible. I work for a nonprofit organization (about 120 employees) and while they're generally supportive of work-life balance, I assumed supplemental maternity pay would be financially out of reach for us. But after seeing the concrete dollar amounts and business cases you've all shared, I'm realizing this might be more feasible than I thought. The nonprofit sector is notoriously competitive for retaining talented staff, especially when people start families and need more financial stability. I think I could make a strong case that offering supplemental maternity pay would be a significant competitive advantage for recruiting and retention, especially since most of our peer organizations probably don't offer this. I'm going to start by researching what our payroll provider (Paychex) offers for supplemental pay processes, then create that timeline document with specific numbers. The idea of potentially piloting this as a benefit for all future parents at our organization is really appealing - it feels like I could be helping to create positive change for others too. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experiences. This thread should honestly be pinned or turned into a resource guide for expectant parents! The level of practical, actionable advice here is incredible. 🙏
Brandon Parker
I'm a new parent myself and reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I'm saving this thread for future reference! Your situation really highlights how broken our childcare system is, but I'm amazed at how many resources and options people have shared here that I never knew existed. One additional thought that might help in the immediate term: have you considered reaching out to your pediatrician's office? They often have bulletin boards with childcare providers, nanny shares, or parent groups that aren't advertised elsewhere. The families you meet through your pediatrician are usually local and in similar life stages, so there might be opportunities for informal arrangements or referrals. Also, if you have any mom friends from prenatal classes, hospital groups, or even just people you've met at the pediatrician - now might be the time to reach out even if you haven't stayed in close touch. Other parents are usually incredibly understanding and helpful when it comes to childcare emergencies, and they might know of resources or have ideas you haven't thought of. Wishing you all the best as you work through this incredibly challenging situation. You're clearly a thoughtful, resourceful parent who's doing everything possible in an impossible system!
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Emma Morales
•That's such a smart idea about the pediatrician's office! I completely forgot that they usually have community bulletin boards with local resources. I have an appointment for my baby next week so I'll definitely check what's posted there and ask the staff if they know of any reliable providers or parent groups. You're also absolutely right about reaching out to other parents from my prenatal class and the hospital. I've been so overwhelmed that I haven't stayed in touch with anyone, but this is exactly the time when that network could be most valuable. Even if they can't help directly, they might know someone who can or be dealing with similar challenges themselves. It's really reassuring to hear from another new parent who understands how educational (and overwhelming!) all of this information is. Thank you for the encouragement and for adding another practical avenue to explore. This whole thread has given me so much hope and so many concrete next steps!
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Omar Fawaz
I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation. Reading through all the amazing advice here, I wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar childcare crisis with my 3-month-old. Check if your area has any family resource centers or early childhood programs through your county's First 5 commission. They sometimes maintain lists of licensed family childcare providers who have immediate openings, and they also offer parent support groups where you can connect with other families facing the same challenges. Also, since you mentioned being in healthcare, you might want to reach out to any local nursing schools or medical programs - nursing students often provide babysitting services and understand healthcare schedules. Some schools even have job boards specifically for students looking for part-time childcare work. The documentation advice everyone has given is spot-on. Keep records of every childcare search, every employer interaction, and every accommodation request. Even if it feels like you're drowning right now, having that paper trail could be crucial for both unemployment eligibility and any future legal protections. You're navigating an impossible system while caring for a 4-month-old - that takes incredible strength. Don't forget to be gentle with yourself while you're fighting through all of this.
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Harper Thompson
•This is such valuable information about First 5 commissions - I had no idea they maintained childcare provider lists! I'll definitely look into what my county offers through that program. And the nursing school idea is brilliant - students would totally understand the healthcare schedule demands and might be more flexible than traditional providers. I've been keeping notes as I go through this process, but you're right that I need to be more systematic about documenting everything. I'll start keeping a formal log of all my childcare searches, employer conversations, and accommodation requests moving forward. Thank you so much for the reminder to be gentle with myself. Some days I feel like I'm failing at everything - work, parenting, managing our household - but reading all these responses reminds me that the system is broken, not me. It's incredibly comforting to know there are so many parents who understand exactly what this feels like and are willing to share their hard-won knowledge. This community support means everything right now.
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