I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My name is 14 characters and I've been getting the E324 error for over a week now. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many different approaches to try. Based on all the great advice here, I'm going to start with the online contact form to request a name variance (thanks @Alexander Zeus for that tip!), then try the Firefox private browsing method during the 6-7 AM window that @Liam O'Reilly suggested. The 10-15 minute cooldown tip is gold too - I've definitely been guilty of immediately retrying and probably making things worse. It's frustrating that we have to become EDD system experts just to file a basic claim, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their workarounds. @Natasha Volkova hang in there - sounds like persistence with the right combination of these strategies really does work!

I've been dealing with EDD issues for a while now and wanted to add a few more tips that have helped me and others I know. For the name length problem, if the online contact form doesn't work quickly enough, try reaching out to your local assembly member's office - they often have direct contacts at EDD who can expedite these variance requests. I've seen people get responses within 2-3 days this way instead of waiting weeks. Also, for the E324 error, I discovered that sometimes using Safari instead of Chrome or Firefox works better - seems like their system has weird compatibility issues with different browsers. One more thing: if you're still having trouble after trying all these approaches, consider filing a complaint with the EDD ombudsman. It's another avenue that can help get your case prioritized. Don't lose hope - I know it's exhausting but these government systems do eventually bend if you keep applying pressure from multiple angles!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! As a new mom who just started my maternity leave 2 weeks ago, I had no idea that SDI extensions were even possible until I found this discussion. Samantha, I'm so glad you advocated for yourself and got your doctor to approve the extension - that takes real courage when you're dealing with both recovery complications and the stress of navigating EDD. The detailed advice everyone has shared about getting specific medical documentation, submitting forms through multiple channels, and services like Claimyr is exactly what I needed to know. I've been having some unexpected issues with my own recovery and was starting to panic about the timeline, but reading all these experiences has shown me that needing more time than the "standard" period is completely normal. Thank you to everyone for being so open about your experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for those of us trying to figure out these complex systems!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm currently 4 weeks into my maternity leave and starting to have some concerns about whether the standard 6-week recovery period will be enough for me. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that extensions are normal and that there are concrete steps to take if needed. Samantha, you did exactly the right thing by listening to your body and advocating for yourself! The detailed advice about making sure your doctor is specific on the DE2501 form and including your claim number on all documentation is invaluable. I've already bookmarked this thread and started taking notes on all the practical tips everyone has shared. It's amazing how much more prepared and confident I feel just from reading these real-world experiences. Thank you to this whole community for being so supportive and sharing such helpful information - you've all made what felt like an overwhelming process seem much more manageable!

I'm a new mom who just went through this transition last week and wanted to share my experience! I applied for PFL exactly 6 days before my SDI ended (so similar timing to what you'll need) and it worked perfectly - no payment gaps at all. The key things that made it smooth for me: - Applied through SDI Online using "New Claim" > "Paid Family Leave" > "Bonding with new child" - Set my PFL start date for the day immediately after SDI ended - Had my baby's birth certificate ready as a clear PDF to upload right away - Took screenshots of every page including the final confirmation One thing that really helped was writing out the timeline on paper first: your SDI ends 2/22/25, so apply around 2/15-2/17 and set your PFL start date for 2/23/25. Having it visually mapped out made me feel so much more confident about getting the timing right. The whole online application took about 10-15 minutes once I had everything prepared. Don't let the EDD horror stories scare you too much - when you follow this timing advice from everyone here, it really can go smoothly! Enjoy that precious bonding time ahead - it's absolutely worth navigating all this paperwork stress. Congratulations on your little one! 💕

I just went through this exact transition in December 2024 and wanted to add my voice to the chorus of people saying apply 5-7 days before your SDI ends! I submitted my PFL application 6 days before my disability ended and had absolutely zero issues - the payments flowed seamlessly from one to the other. Here's what worked for me: - Applied December 15th for SDI ending December 21st - Set PFL start date for December 22nd (immediately after SDI ended) - Used SDI Online portal: "New Claim" > "Paid Family Leave" > "Bonding with new child" - Had birth certificate ready as PDF and uploaded during application One thing I wish I'd known beforehand: after you submit, you'll get an email confirmation but it might take 24-48 hours for the claim to actually appear in your online account. Don't panic if you don't see it right away! For your timeline: apply around February 15-17 for your SDI ending February 22nd, with PFL starting February 23rd. The math is simple but being precise with those dates is everything. The bonding time is absolutely magical and so worth navigating this EDD maze. You're being incredibly smart by planning ahead instead of waiting until the last minute like so many people do. Congratulations on your new baby! 🍼

I've been dealing with the same nightmare for over a month now. Here's what's worked for me so far: I started calling at 7:58 AM sharp (2 minutes before they officially open) and spam-dialing the number until I get through to the menu. Once I'm in, I select the options quickly and then just... wait. And wait. And wait. The longest I've been on hold was 4.5 hours, but I did eventually get through. I know it sounds insane, but I just put my phone on speaker, plugged it in to charge, and did other things while waiting. Also, make sure you have ALL your documents ready before you call - ID, Social Security card, any correspondence from EDD, your claim details, etc. When you finally get a human, you want to make the most of that precious time. Don't give up, everyone. The system is broken, but persistence does pay off sometimes.

I totally feel your frustration! I've been in the exact same situation for about 3 weeks now. The automated system just keeps looping me back to the same useless menu options. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed log of every time I call - the time, how long I waited, which menu options I tried, etc. It sounds tedious but it's actually been therapeutic to document this madness, and if I ever do get through, I'll have all the details ready. Also, I've started treating it like a part-time job - blocking out 2-3 hours in the morning just for calling attempts. It's not ideal, but at least I'm not letting it ruin my entire day anymore. Hang in there! 💪

This thread has been absolutely amazing! I'm a new parent just starting my PFL application and was completely stuck on that "maximum benefit weeks" question. Like everyone else here, I was terrified I was about to accidentally request some kind of advance payment or get locked into something I didn't understand. Reading through all these real experiences has been such a huge relief - especially knowing from @Nia Davis's professional perspective and everyone else's confirmations that selecting "yes" just means taking all 8 weeks consecutively, and you still get paid every 2 weeks after certifications like normal. It's honestly ridiculous how EDD manages to make such a simple question sound so scary! I was literally googling "EDD maximum benefit weeks lump sum" trying to figure out what I was getting myself into. This community is incredible for breaking down these confusing government forms into actually understandable information. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made what seemed like a terrifying decision into a straightforward one. About to confidently select "yes" and submit this application! 🙏

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently preparing my PFL application and was completely bewildered by that "maximum benefit weeks" question too. Like so many others here, I kept re-reading it thinking there must be some catch or that I was about to accidentally request a lump sum payment. Reading through everyone's real experiences has been incredibly reassuring - especially the professional clarification from @Nia Davis and all the confirmations that you still get paid bi-weekly after certifications regardless of your selection. Now I understand it's simply asking if I want to use all 8 weeks consecutively rather than splitting them up over time. It's honestly mind-boggling how EDD can take such a straightforward concept and make it sound so intimidating with their wording! I was literally losing sleep over this one question. This community is amazing for breaking down these confusing government forms into actually helpful information that new parents can understand. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences here - it makes navigating these bureaucratic systems so much less stressful when you're already dealing with everything that comes with a new baby! 🙏