I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD phone system is absolutely brutal right now. I had a very similar experience last year when I moved to Washington state but kept my California job. After weeks of failed phone attempts, I ended up using the paper application route and it was honestly a lifesaver. A few things that might help based on my experience: When you fill out the DE2501F form, make sure to attach a brief letter explaining your situation and why you couldn't file online (out-of-state address issue). Also, since your baby is 3 weeks old, you can actually backdate your leave start date - PFL allows you to claim up to 6 weeks retroactively from when you actually stopped working to bond. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: you can also try reaching out to your state representative's office. Many of them have staff who specialize in helping constituents with federal and state agency issues. My friend in Oregon got help this way when she was stuck with unemployment issues. It might be worth a shot while you're waiting for the paper application to process. Hang in there - you've paid into this system for 10 years and you absolutely deserve these benefits. The paper route takes longer but it does work!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Moved to Florida last month but still working remotely for my California employer. My son was born 2 weeks ago and I'm hitting the exact same brick wall with the online system requiring a CA address. The phone situation is absolutely maddening - I've called probably 75+ times over the past week and get that same "maximum callers" message every single time. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though. I'm going to try the paper DE2501F route based on everyone's advice here. @Royal_GM_Mark and @Matthew Sanchez - thank you for the detailed instructions about the forms and mailing address. I had no idea there was a specific out-of-state process. @Anthony Young - definitely try that 619 number someone mentioned, and the Tuesday 8 AM timing tip from @Olivia Garcia. I'm going to give that a shot tomorrow while I'm waiting for my employer to complete their section of the paperwork. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops for benefits we've been paying into, but at least there seem to be workarounds. Keep us posted on how your paper application goes!

Just a heads up, make sure all your docs were submitted correctly. My payment was delayed becuz I forgot to sign one form. Double check everything!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My payment was supposed to come through on 4/12 and still nothing. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been checking my account obsessively and calling every day. The worst part is not knowing if there's an issue with your claim or if it's just their slow processing. Have you tried reaching out through their social media accounts? Sometimes companies respond faster there when they know it's public. Stay strong - we'll get through this! 💪

I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago! What worked for me was logging out completely, then logging back in and trying again. Also make sure you're not using any ad blockers or pop-up blockers - they can interfere with the upload functionality. The EDD site is super finicky about that stuff. If you're still having trouble, try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning (6-8 AM) when fewer people are on the system. Good luck!

I ran into this same issue a couple months ago and it was SO frustrating! What finally worked for me was using a desktop computer with Firefox instead of my phone. For some reason, the mobile version of the EDD site just doesn't play nice with file uploads. Also, make sure your PDF isn't too large - I think there's a file size limit that isn't clearly posted anywhere. If you have access to a computer, try that first before going through the hassle of calling EDD. The whole system is a mess but hang in there, you'll get it sorted! 💪

Based on my experience with EDD's Paid Family Leave claims, I recommend taking these specific steps: 1. Contact your father's doctor's office and request: - Confirmation number from their submission - Exact date they submitted the DE2501F form - Verification of how they listed your father's name 2. Call EDD using the timing suggestions others mentioned (8:00-8:30am) and have your claim confirmation number ready 3. If your claim is still pending after 30 days, you have the right to file a formal inquiry through your state representative's office. Their constituent services can often expedite EDD issues. For your upcoming second leave period, you can actually combine it with your current claim if it's within the same 12-month period for the same care recipient. This requires less paperwork than filing a completely new claim.

I'm so sorry you're going through this during such a difficult time with your father. I went through something similar last year when my grandmother was in hospice care. The lack of transparency in the PFL system is honestly heartbreaking when you're already emotionally and financially strained. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of every attempt to contact EDD - dates, times, reference numbers, and what happened. When I finally got through to someone, having that documentation ready actually seemed to help the agent take my case more seriously. Also, if your dad's oncologist office has a patient advocate or social worker, they might be able to help navigate this. Mine was familiar with EDD's system and knew exactly what to ask for when following up on submissions. Thinking of you and your father during this tough time. The system shouldn't add this much stress to families already dealing with so much. ❤️

Just a heads up, I've heard they've been really backed up lately due to staff shortages. Might explain why you're getting conflicting info. Hang in there!

Wait, they asked for your doctor's diploma and license ID? That seems really unusual for a PFL claim. Normally they just need medical certification from your doctor, not their credentials. Are you sure you're dealing with the right department? This sounds like it might be a different type of claim or verification process. I'd double-check that you're actually filing for paid family leave and not something else, because this doesn't sound right to me.