Hot take: The whole unemployment system is designed to be confusing so people give up and don't get the benefits they deserve. Change my mind.

Thanks for asking this question! I'm dealing with something similar and was totally lost on what to prepare. One thing I'd add to the great list from @Aaliyah Jackson - if your overpayment is related to work-search requirements, make sure you have documentation of your job search activities during that period. I learned the hard way that EDD sometimes flags people for overpayments if they can't prove they were actively looking for work. Screenshots of job applications, emails from potential employers, anything that shows you were meeting the requirements can really help your case.

Update: My PFL claim just changed from \

That's great news! Thanks for the update - it's really helpful to know the timeline worked out. Congrats again on your new baby! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, it sounds like the system does work most of the time, you just need to be patient for about a week or two. Wishing you and your little one all the best during your bonding time! 💕

pro tip: if ur having trouble with the online system, try using a different browser. sometimes it acts up in chrome but works fine in firefox 👍

Has anyone had issues with the EDD website timing out while filling out the application? I keep losing my progress halfway through and it's so frustrating! Should I try calling instead or is there a trick to keeping the session active?

Great news! Just to add some helpful information for anyone else reading this thread: When returning to work after disability but before using PFL, make sure to: 1. Get an official end date for your disability claim (when you were cleared to return to work) 2. File your DE2508 for PFL separately, clearly indicating your intended PFL dates 3. Keep documentation from both your employer and doctor about your leave dates 4. If using PFL intermittently throughout the year, maintain a detailed calendar of those dates The 12-month eligibility period for baby bonding PFL starts from the baby's birth date, not from when disability ends, which gives families flexibility in how they use these benefits.

This is such a common issue unfortunately! I went through something similar when my employer's HR department messed up my FMLA paperwork timing. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed timeline of all the dates - when the baby was born, when I should have started each benefit period, when the doctor errors happened, etc. EDD representatives seem to be more helpful when you can give them exact dates and reference numbers. Also, if your daughter does return to work before everything is sorted out, make sure she gets written confirmation from her employer about her exact return date. This documentation becomes important if there are any questions later about benefit eligibility periods. The system is frustrating but it sounds like you're on the right track now! Fingers crossed the disability payments come through quickly once they process the corrected paperwork.

As someone who just went through this exact same nightmare 3 months ago, I feel your pain! The SDI to PFL transition is absolutely broken. What worked for me was having my husband call EDD every morning at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - apparently that's when you have the best chance of getting through before the lines get completely jammed. Also, when you do get someone on the phone, ask them to put notes in your file about what they're doing to fix it. I had to call back twice because the first person said they fixed it but nothing actually happened. The second rep could see the notes and knew exactly what still needed to be done. Keep all your documentation handy when you call - they'll want your SDI claim number, your baby's birth certificate info, and the exact dates your disability ended. Having everything ready speeds up the process once you finally get through. Hang in there - you WILL get this resolved and they will backpay you for everything you're owed!

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - applied for PFL after my SDI ended and got hit with the "open SDI claim" denial. Been waiting on my appeal for 6 weeks with no word. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things are: 1) making sure there's no date gap between SDI ending and PFL starting, 2) confirming your doctor submitted the final SDI paperwork properly, and 3) actually getting through to EDD to have them manually close the SDI claim. I'm going to try the 8 AM calling strategy and also look into that Claimyr service. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get this resolved - my maternity leave is almost over and I still haven't received a single PFL payment. It's honestly criminal how broken this system is, especially when new parents are already dealing with so much stress and financial pressure. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!