my sister works at edd (not in benefits tho) and she says their systems r super backed up right now. lots of ppl having baby during pandemic so theyre still catching up. might just need more time unfortunately

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Filed my PFL claim in January for bonding leave and it's been stuck in "pending" status for over 2 months. My employer also had a payroll mix-up where they initially coded my leave as sick time instead of family leave. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the assembly member route might be the best bet. I'm definitely going to try that along with the certified mail approach. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we've paid into! @Grant - have you tried documenting everything in a timeline format? Sometimes having all the dates, reference numbers, and actions taken in one clear document helps when you finally do get through to someone. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're keeping records of all the financial hardship this delay is causing - that might help expedite things. Keep us posted on what works! There are clearly a lot of us dealing with EDD issues right now.

I'm a new mom who went through something similar last year! Just wanted to add that you should also check if you qualify for any other benefits while you're navigating this. When I was unemployed and pregnant, I was able to get WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits and some other support programs. The income limits are pretty reasonable and it really helped with groceries and formula later on. Also, don't be discouraged if the initial application process feels overwhelming - it took me a few tries to get all the forms filled out correctly, but the benefits were absolutely worth it. You're doing great by researching this now instead of waiting until after birth!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in almost the exact same situation! Got laid off at 32 weeks pregnant and was panicking about benefits. The good news is YES, you can absolutely still qualify for both pregnancy disability and PFL even without current employment! Here's what I wish someone had told me: Apply for the pregnancy disability (DE2501) RIGHT NOW at 36 weeks - don't wait! Your doctor will need to fill out their portion confirming your due date and that you're disabled from work. Since you had good wages in April before your layoff, you should definitely be in the qualifying base period. The weekly benefit amount will be based on your highest earning quarter during the base period (probably that April!), so it should be decent. After your disability period ends (6-8 weeks post-birth), you'll apply separately for PFL baby bonding which gives you another 8 weeks. One thing that really helped me was keeping a dedicated notebook for all the claim numbers, dates, and paperwork - trust me, you'll have multiple claim numbers to track! Also, if you need to speak with EDD directly and can't get through on the phones (which is common), there are services that can help you connect faster. You've got this mama! The system is confusing but you DO have options even without current employment.

Hey OP, just a heads up - when you do get through, make sure to ask about any potential overpayments or penalties for reinstating. I got blindsided by that and it was NOT fun.

I went through this exact same process about 3 months ago! For the direct deposit update, I was able to do it through the online portal - just log into your UI Online account and look for "Profile" or "Payment Information." Much faster than calling. As for reinstatement, definitely call early morning like others said, but also have your work search log ready just in case they ask. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me once I got everything submitted. Hang in there! 💪

Have you tried reaching out on social media? Sometimes tweeting at them can get a faster response.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 3 weeks ago and radio silence. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been checking my online account obsessively but no updates there either. Really appreciate everyone sharing their tips here - going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning and maybe give that social media approach a shot too. Hang in there OP, hopefully we both get some movement on our claims soon! 🤞

Has anyone tried reaching out to their local assembly member's office for help? I've heard they can sometimes intervene and speed things up with EDD.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! My return-to-work date was off by almost 3 weeks, which would have cut my benefits short. Here's what worked for me: I called first thing Monday morning at exactly 8am (they open at 8) and got through after about 45 minutes of redialing. The key is persistence! When I finally got a rep, I had all my documentation ready - my termination letter, any correspondence from my employer, etc. They were able to correct it during the call and I got an updated notice in the mail within a week. The rep told me that incorrect dates are pretty common due to employer reporting errors or system glitches. Don't stress too much about it affecting your benefits as long as you get it fixed quickly. They can adjust any payments retroactively once the correct date is in the system. Good luck! 🤞