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This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through the exact same issue right now - got locked out trying to access my family leave claim and the password reset isn't working. Reading through everyone's solutions gives me so much hope. I'm going to try the mobile app first since that seems to have worked for a few people, then move on to that technical support line at 1-866-333-4606 if needed. It's wild that EDD's system is this broken, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these frustrating situations. Will report back on what ends up working for me in case it helps others! π€
Hope you get it sorted out quickly! This thread has been a lifesaver for me too. I was feeling so frustrated before finding all these different approaches. Definitely try that mobile app route first - seems to be the easiest solution if it works for your situation. And if you do end up calling that tech support line, maybe try calling right when they open at 8am like some folks suggested earlier. Good luck and thanks for being willing to share your results - it really does help the whole community when people report back on what worked! π
Just wanted to add my experience here - I ran into this same password reset issue about a month ago. What finally worked for me was using a completely different device (borrowed my friend's laptop) and trying the reset from there. Apparently EDD's system sometimes flags your device/IP as "suspicious" after too many failed attempts. Also, make sure you're checking your spam folder for the reset emails - mine kept ending up there for some reason. Between that and trying the mobile app approach others mentioned, you should hopefully get through without having to deal with their phone system. Hope this helps!
Sending positive vibes your way, OP! π Dealing with this stuff while also managing family medical issues is so stressful. Hope you get it sorted out soon!
I went through something similar a few months ago and it was such a headache! Turns out I was mixing up FMLA (which is unpaid job protection) with my state's Paid Family Leave program. Since you're dealing with California EDD, you might be thinking of California's PFL program, which does provide partial wage replacement. The key is figuring out which program you actually applied for and then tracking down the right department. I'd suggest checking your original paperwork to see exactly what you filed for - it made all the difference for me once I got that sorted out!
This is super helpful! I think you're right - I might have been confusing the programs. Do you remember how long it took to get your PFL payments once you got everything straightened out? I'm worried I've lost weeks of processing time due to the confusion.
@Dylan Cooper That s'exactly what happened to me too! Once I figured out I needed PFL instead of FMLA, it took about 2-3 weeks to start getting payments. The good news is that California PFL usually pays retroactively from when your leave started, so you shouldn t'lose out on those weeks. Just make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you call - they ll'need proof of the family member s'condition and your relationship to them.
Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process twice now! The first time I got that letter I was super anxious, but honestly it's usually just routine stuff. They asked me about my employment history, verified my wages, and wanted to confirm the reason for my leave. The second time around (different pregnancy), they mainly just needed updated employer information since I had switched jobs. One tip I'd add - if you're taking leave for bonding with a new baby, make sure you have the birth certificate handy. They didn't ask for it during the call, but they said I might need to submit it later. The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. You've got this! π
Thank you for sharing your experience with going through this twice! It's really helpful to hear from someone who's been there multiple times. The tip about having the birth certificate ready is super useful - I wouldn't have thought of that. It's so reassuring to know that even though it seems scary at first, it's really just routine verification. Makes me feel a lot more confident about making that call! π
I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago and totally get the nerves! When I called, they basically just needed to verify my employer information and confirm my leave dates. The rep was actually really patient and explained everything clearly. My main advice would be to call early in the morning (like right at 8am when they open) to avoid the crazy hold times, and definitely have all your employment paperwork organized beforehand. It ended up being way less stressful than I built it up to be in my head. You'll do fine! π
Just want to add some encouragement as someone who went through this exact transition in August 2025! The anxiety about that first payment is so real when you're dealing with a new baby and bills piling up. My timeline was: - Approved on a Friday - First payment hit exactly 8 business days later (the following Wednesday) - Every payment after that came like clockwork every 14 days The automatic nature of PFL payments is honestly amazing - no certifications, no weekly check-ins, just money appearing in your account every two weeks. It's one of the few things EDD actually does well! **What saved my sanity during the wait:** - Set up direct deposit immediately (definitely faster than BofA card) - Started checking EDD account daily on day 7 for the "Paid" status change - Used the BofA app with notifications so I knew instantly when money hit You're in the hardest part right now - waiting for that first payment. But based on everyone's consistent experiences here, you should see money very soon! Once it starts, you can finally relax and focus on enjoying your bonding time instead of stressing about finances. Hang in there Ryan - you've got this! Your little one is lucky to have such a caring parent who's working hard to make sure everything is taken care of. The relief when that first payment hits is incredible! πΌπ
Jace, this is exactly what I needed to hear! Your August 2025 timeline is so recent and reassuring. The 8 business days gives me a realistic expectation, and I love how you emphasized that this is the hardest part - just waiting for that first payment. I'm on day 6 now since approval, so according to everyone's advice I should start checking my EDD account daily starting tomorrow. I've already set up direct deposit and all the BofA notifications thanks to this amazing thread. It's so comforting to know that once this hurdle is cleared, I can actually focus on my baby instead of refreshing my bank account constantly! Thank you for the encouragement and for taking the time to share your recent experience. This community has been absolutely incredible - I feel so much more confident now that everything will work out! π
Hey Ryan! I just went through this exact same transition from SDI to PFL in October 2025 and completely feel your stress! The not knowing when money will actually show up is the worst part, especially with a new baby and bills due. Here's what happened with mine: - Approved on a Tuesday - First PFL payment hit my account 9 business days later (Thursday of the following week) - After that, payments came automatically every 14 days - never had an issue The relief of not having to certify for PFL is incredible! Once you're approved, you literally just wait for money to appear every two weeks until your claim ends. **What helped me survive the waiting:** - Set up direct deposit through EDD portal right away (saves 1-2 days vs BofA card) - Starting day 7, checked my EDD account every morning for status changes - When it switched from "Pending" to "Paid," money usually hit within 24-48 hours - Downloaded BofA app and enabled instant notifications for deposits I know you're probably refreshing your account constantly right now (I did the same thing!), but based on everyone's timeline here, you should see that first payment very soon. Once it starts, PFL is honestly one of the most reliable EDD programs - you can finally focus on bonding with your little one instead of stressing about finances. You're doing great navigating all this with a newborn! That first payment will come through and then you can actually enjoy your leave time. Congrats on your baby! πΌ
Giovanni Colombo
This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm currently 5 months pregnant and was feeling pretty anxious about how to structure my PFL to best balance work responsibilities with bonding time. Everyone's detailed experiences with intermittent leave have opened up possibilities I didn't even know existed! What really stands out to me from all these stories is how critical the documentation and communication aspects are. The advice about getting specific notes in your EDD file, taking screenshots of balances, and being ultra-precise with certification dates seems like it could make or break the whole process. I'm definitely going to start a tracking spreadsheet now, even though I'm still months away from actually using PFL. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone tried discussing their intermittent PFL plans during their initial claim filing, or is it better to wait until you're ready to return to work part-time? I'm wondering if mentioning this upfront might help avoid some of the system confusion issues that @Sayid Hassan experienced. Also really hoping @Cole Roush, @Luca Esposito, and others who are currently testing out these strategies keep updating us! As someone still in planning mode, hearing about real certification experiences will be incredibly valuable. This community is such an amazing resource - thank you all for being so generous with sharing your knowledge! ππ
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Anna Kerber
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently navigating intermittent PFL myself and wanted to share a few additional tips based on my recent experience: 1. **Call timing matters** - I found calling EDD right at 8am when they open gives you the best chance of reaching someone knowledgeable about intermittent leave policies. 2. **Email confirmations** - After speaking with an EDD rep about your intermittent plan, consider sending a follow-up email to yourself documenting the conversation details (date, time, rep name, what was discussed). This creates a paper trail. 3. **Employer coordination** - Make sure your HR/payroll department understands that you're on "intermittent PFL" not "returned to work full-time." Some payroll systems automatically mark you as fully returned when you start working any days, which can cause confusion. 4. **Benefits timing** - Remember that your 12-month window to use PFL benefits starts from when you first filed your claim, not when you return to work. So factor that into your intermittent scheduling. The consistent advice throughout this thread about being super detailed with dates and keeping thorough documentation really can't be overstated. It seems like the parents who had smooth experiences all followed these practices religiously. @Cole Roush @Luca Esposito - still hoping to hear your updates on how the certification process went! Your experiences will help so many of us. π
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