Not to be that person, but have you considered getting a lawyer? Sometimes just having a legal letterhead on your appeal can make them take it more seriously.

I went through this exact same situation last year! My initial claim was denied even though I thought I had everything. Here's what I learned: 1) Always submit both hospital certificate AND official birth certificate, 2) Include a cover letter explaining your relationship to the child, and 3) Make copies of EVERYTHING before sending. I had to appeal but it was approved the second time around. Don't give up - you're entitled to this benefit! Also, try calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open, that's when I finally got through to speak with someone who actually helped.

Just a quick follow-up since several people have mentioned this: The correct mailing address for PFL claims (including out-of-state) changed recently. The current address is: Employment Development Department Paid Family Leave P.O. Box 989315 West Sacramento, CA 95798-9315 Using an outdated address could delay your claim by 1-2 weeks as it gets rerouted internally.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just moved to Texas but still working for my California employer. What's helped me so far is calling the EDD disability line (1-800-480-3287) instead of the main number - sometimes they can help with PFL questions too or at least transfer you to someone who can. Also, I discovered that if you call exactly at 8:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday, you have a slightly better chance of getting through before they hit their call limit. Still frustrating but I managed to speak to someone after about 15 attempts using this approach. Good luck with the paper application route - sounds like that might be your best bet!

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! 💪

Quick question for those who've been through this before - do they backpay from the date you submitted the claim, or only from when they approve it?

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - submitted my PFL claim 5 weeks ago and it's still showing "pending" with no updates. I've been checking the portal daily but nothing changes. The financial stress is real! From what I'm reading here, it sounds like persistence with calling is key, even though it's a nightmare to get through. @Toot-n-Mighty your suggestion about contacting a state representative is interesting - I hadn't thought of that. Has anyone actually tried that route and seen results? Also wondering if there are specific times of day that work better for calling? Like early morning or late afternoon when they might be less busy?

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. ❤️