Does anyone know if contacting our local representatives can help speed things up? I'm getting desperate here.

I'm in a similar situation - submitted my PFL claim 5 weeks ago and still nothing. The uncertainty is killing me! I tried calling last week but was on hold for 2 hours before giving up. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. @Grace Johnson, have you tried calling yet or are you still waiting it out? I'm debating whether to keep trying to get through or just wait a bit longer.

Ugh, I feel your pain. I had to deal with this last year and it was a NIGHTMARE. Took me 2 months to finally get my benefits. Hang in there!

Have you tried contacting your local assembly member's office? They often have caseworkers who can help with EDD issues. I had success with this approach when I was stuck in a similar situation. They can sometimes get through to the right people faster than calling directly. Also, document everything - dates you called, times, any reference numbers. It helps when you finally do get through to someone!

Pro tip: call exactly at 8:01 AM when they open. You might have to try a few days in a row, but that's how I finally got through. Good luck!

Two weeks is definitely on the shorter side for EDD response times unfortunately. I'm at 5 weeks now and still waiting for my determination letter. What I've learned is to keep certifying every two weeks even if you haven't heard back yet - that's super important! Also make sure you have all your documents uploaded in your online portal. The system is definitely overwhelmed right now but you're not alone in this wait. Stay strong! 💪

omg reading this gives me anxiety just thinking about when i had to do this for my husband last year!!! the whole process is so confusing and edd NEVER explains anything clearly. glad you finally got some answers and hopefully your money comes through soon!!

So glad to see your update! This whole thread has been really helpful - I'm bookmarking it because my elderly mom has been having health issues and I might need to take PFL for caregiving soon. The fact that they don't automatically notify you when they need additional documentation is absolutely ridiculous. How are people supposed to know their claims are stalled? A few questions for anyone who's been through this: How long did it take after you spoke to the rep for your claim to actually get approved? And did you end up getting all the back pay from when you should have been receiving benefits? I'm trying to budget for potentially being without pay for several weeks if this happens.

i had my baby in dec n i just wanna say - there is NO WAY ur gonna be able to work with a newborn!! like seriously even checking emails was impossible for me. if they expect u to actually work while u have a tiny baby they r delusional lol

I went through something similar with my first baby! Here's what I learned the hard way - you need to separate the emotional/relationship aspect from the legal/financial aspect. Your boss sounds well-intentioned, but small companies often don't understand CA leave laws. Key questions to ask yourself: 1. Will you actually be WORKING or just available/on-call? There's a huge difference legally. 2. What happens if you have complications and need more time off? 3. Is this arrangement documented anywhere official? My advice: Thank your boss for the generous offer, but also educate yourself on your legal rights. You can say something like "I really appreciate this offer! Let me just make sure I understand all my options under CA law so I can plan properly." Most reasonable employers will respect that you're being thorough. Also consider that even if their offer is financially equivalent to state benefits, the official leaves give you job protection and clear legal frameworks. Sometimes the "safe" choice is worth more than a few extra dollars. Feel free to accept their offer if it works better for your family, but make sure you're making an informed decision rather than just going with what seems easiest in the moment!