Can't reach California Paid Family Leave? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the EDD drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Hello! Did you ever get paid past your baby’s birthday? My benefits stopped the day before my daughter’s 1st birthday. I had about 1 week left of benefits left in my claim :
@Lizeth Aparicio I m'so sorry this happened to you too! It seems like there s'a real disconnect between what some people are experiencing versus what the official rules say. You and @Chanaii Hgmg both had your benefits cut off right at the 1-year mark, which contradicts what several others shared about getting their full 8 weeks even past the birthday. This is really concerning - it sounds like EDD might be inconsistently applying their own rules, or there s some'nuance we re all'missing. Did you try appealing the decision or calling EDD to ask why your benefits were stopped with a week remaining? For anyone else reading this thread, it seems like there might be more complexity to this timing issue than initially thought. While some people report getting benefits past the 1-year mark, others are getting cut off exactly at the birthday. It might be worth getting written confirmation from EDD about your specific situation before counting on benefits extending past your child s first'birthday.
This is such an important thread - thank you to everyone sharing their experiences! I'm seeing conflicting information here that's really concerning. Some people like @Amina Toure and @FireflyDreams report getting their full 8 weeks even past the 1-year mark, while @Chanaii Hgmg and @Lizeth Aparicio had their benefits cut off right at the birthday. This suggests EDD might be inconsistently applying their own rules, which is incredibly unfair to families. For anyone in this situation, I'd strongly recommend: 1. Get written confirmation from EDD about your specific case before your baby's birthday 2. Document everything - save emails, take screenshots of your claim status 3. If benefits are cut off unexpectedly, file an appeal immediately 4. Consider contacting your state representative if you believe EDD is misapplying the rules The fact that some families are losing precious bonding time due to what appears to be inconsistent policy enforcement is really troubling. No parent should have to worry about their benefits being cut short when they're following the rules correctly.
@Sofia Morales I started my PFL 6 weeks before my baby turned one. I noticed today that I haven t'gotten my next payment and logged onto my portal. It stated I returned "to" work the day before my baby s'birthday. I called with eddcaller to get through to someone. They told me that payments stop once the baby turns one. There s'definitely confusion around this because I had several women + HR tell me you can start it BEFORE your baby turns one and use the full benefits. The rep told me to appeal and I m'currently on hold to see if there s'anything that can be done. I m'so heartbroken and couldn t'help but cry on the phone. I m'supposed to return next Monday to work but I will miss out on over 2 weeks of payment. I have a trip planned with her this week and I m'debating cancelling it so I can return to work to make sure I have money...this sucks.
Join the conversation
I'm a per diem medical scribe who just went through this process successfully! Your HR department is absolutely wrong about state benefits - this is such a common misconception that drives me crazy because it causes unnecessary panic for pregnant workers like us. California SDI and PFL are completely separate from your employer's policies. The only thing that matters is whether you've been paying CASDI deductions (which you have) and earned enough during your base period (which you clearly have with $1,100-1,600/month over 18 months). I want to echo what everyone else has said about the timeline - it's crucial to get this right: - Apply for SDI exactly 9 days before your planned last work day - Have your doctor ready to complete certification forms quickly - File for PFL about 2 weeks before your SDI claim ends - Keep detailed records of everything One thing I didn't see mentioned much is that EDD has a mobile app now that makes it easier to check your claim status and submit documents. It was a lifesaver when I needed to upload additional paperwork quickly. Also, regarding job protection - I had the same concern since per diem workers don't get FMLA coverage. I talked directly to my department manager (not HR) and they were actually very accommodating about holding shifts for me when I was ready to return. Many healthcare facilities value experienced per diem staff because we provide scheduling flexibility. Don't let your employer's ignorance about state benefits stress you out! You've been paying into this system specifically for situations like pregnancy and baby bonding. These are YOUR benefits that you've earned. Start collecting those paystubs and get ready to apply with confidence! 💙
Thank you so much for mentioning the EDD mobile app! I had no idea that existed and it sounds like it could be really helpful for staying on top of the application process. As someone who's already feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork and timelines, having everything accessible on my phone would be a huge relief. Your point about talking directly to your department manager rather than HR is really encouraging. It makes sense that managers would be more understanding of the day-to-day reality of per diem scheduling and the value of keeping experienced staff. I'm definitely going to approach my supervisor once I'm ready to have that conversation. It's honestly both frustrating and comforting to see how universal this experience is among per diem healthcare workers. The fact that so many HR departments give the same misleading information suggests there's a real knowledge gap that needs to be addressed. But at least we have communities like this where we can share accurate information and support each other! Reading all these success stories from fellow per diem workers has completely transformed my anxiety into confidence. I'm so grateful for everyone who took the time to share their experiences. It's clear that we've all earned these benefits by contributing to the system, and we absolutely deserve to use them! Thank you again for the detailed guidance and app recommendation! 💕
As a per diem ultrasound tech who just successfully navigated this exact situation 3 months ago, I want to add my voice to this incredibly helpful thread! Your HR department is giving you the same misleading information that almost every per diem healthcare worker hears - they're confusing employer benefits with California state benefits. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was panicking at 5 months pregnant: California SDI and PFL don't care if you're per diem, part-time, or full-time. They only care that you've been paying CASDI contributions and have sufficient earnings in your base period. Based on your 18 months of consistent work and $1,100-1,600 monthly earnings, you're in excellent shape to qualify! A few additional tips from my recent experience: - Start familiarizing yourself with the EDD website now while you're not stressed - Ask your OB's office about their experience with EDD disability forms - mine had a dedicated person who knew the process inside and out - When you apply, use your highest earning months to calculate expected benefits (the system uses your best quarter) - Screenshot everything during the application process - the EDD website can be glitchy The transition from SDI to PFL is where many people get tripped up, so definitely file your PFL application 2 weeks before your SDI ends. I learned this from reading forums like this and it saved me from any payment gaps. Regarding job protection - I had the same worry since we don't qualify for FMLA. I approached my direct supervisor rather than HR and they were actually very understanding about accommodating my return. Per diem positions often have more flexibility built in since the scheduling is already variable. You've been paying into this system specifically for life events like having a baby. Don't let misinformed HR representatives make you think you don't deserve the benefits you've literally been funding with every paycheck! Start gathering those paystubs and prepare to apply with confidence. This community has your back! 💪
Thank you so much Carmella for adding your recent experience to this thread! As someone who's just starting to navigate this process, it's incredibly reassuring to hear from an ultrasound tech who went through it successfully just 3 months ago. Your tip about using the highest earning months to calculate expected benefits is really valuable - I hadn't realized the system uses your best quarter rather than an average. That could actually work out really well for me since I've been picking up extra shifts lately to save money for the baby! I'm definitely going to take your advice about familiarizing myself with the EDD website early while I'm not stressed. It's such a smart approach to get comfortable with the system when I can think clearly rather than trying to figure it out when I'm dealing with pregnancy brain and time pressure! 😅 The screenshot tip is also really practical - I've heard horror stories about people losing application progress due to website issues, so I'll make sure to document everything step by step. It's amazing how this thread has become such a comprehensive resource for per diem healthcare workers! Reading everyone's experiences has completely shifted my mindset from panic to empowerment. We really have been paying into this system for exactly these situations, and we absolutely deserve to use these benefits. Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and recent guidance! 🙏
Join the conversation
I work in IT (not for EDD tho) and Error E311 sounds like a database mismatch issue. It's probably on their end, not yours. Keep calling and escalate to a supervisor if you can. Don't let them give you the runaround.
This ☝️ Escalate, escalate, escalate. It's the only way to get anything done with government agencies sometimes.
I've dealt with E311 errors before - super frustrating! One thing that worked for me was making sure my address exactly matched what's on file with the Social Security Administration. Even something as small as "Street" vs "St" can cause issues. Also, if you've moved recently, EDD might still have your old address on file. You can try updating your address through their online portal first, then wait 24-48 hours before trying to submit your PFL application again. The system needs time to sync the changes. Hope this helps!
This is really helpful advice! I never would have thought that something as minor as "Street" vs "St" could cause such a major headache. I recently moved about 6 months ago and updated my address with some agencies but maybe not all of them. I'll definitely check to make sure everything matches exactly with SSA. Thanks for the tip about waiting 24-48 hours for the system to sync - that's the kind of detail EDD never tells you about!
Join the conversation
I'm also navigating this decision with my 2-month-old twins! Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly eye-opening, especially the warnings about EDD audits and overpayment issues. After going through all the responses, I think I'm convinced that honesty is absolutely crucial here. The unemployment system requires that you be genuinely available for work - not just technically available on paper. With newborns, that's a really high bar to meet consistently. What's swaying me toward the PFL-first approach is that even though it might mean less total time off, it's guaranteed money without the stress of potentially having to pay back benefits later. Plus at 2-3 months postpartum, I'm realizing I'm probably not in the best headspace to be competitive in job interviews anyway. For those who successfully did unemployment first - were you actually applying to jobs you wanted, or just going through the motions to meet requirements? I'm worried about accidentally getting a job offer I'd have to turn down, which could mess up my eligibility. The flexibility of splitting PFL into chunks also sounds really appealing. Maybe 6 weeks now while I'm still adjusting to life with twins, then 2 weeks later for a smooth daycare transition. Thanks everyone for being so transparent about both the successes and mistakes!
Your approach sounds really smart, especially with twins! That's double the exhaustion and double the unpredictability, so being realistic about your availability for work is crucial. I love your plan to split the PFL - 6 weeks now and 2 weeks later for daycare transition. That's exactly the kind of flexibility that makes PFL so valuable. You're giving yourself time to recover and bond now, plus insurance for later challenges. You're absolutely right about the headspace issue too. I remember being so sleep-deprived at 2-3 months that I could barely hold a coherent conversation, let alone nail a job interview! The guaranteed PFL money without audit risk sounds like the way to go for your situation. One tip for your daycare transition weeks - if you end up loving your daycare and wanting to start earlier, you can always use those remaining 2 PFL weeks for something else within that first year, like if the twins get sick or you just want some extra bonding time during the holidays. The flexibility is amazing. Wishing you the best with those sweet twins! You're being so thoughtful about planning this out.
Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful! As someone who just started this process with my 2-month-old, I wanted to share what I've decided after weighing all the options. I initially wanted to do unemployment first to maximize total time off, but the overpayment stories really scared me. The reality is, with a 2-month-old who's still not sleeping through the night, I'm honestly not in the right headspace to be genuinely "available and actively seeking work" that unemployment requires. I've decided to go with PFL first - all 8 weeks starting next month. Even though it means less total time off compared to doing unemployment first, the peace of mind is worth it. No risk of audits, no stress about job applications I'm not mentally ready for, and I get the higher weekly benefit amount ($980/week vs $450/week unemployment in my case). The plan is to use PFL now for pure bonding time, then reassess in a few months when I'm more recovered and my son is more predictable. If I still need more time off, I can explore unemployment then when I'm truly ready to work if the right opportunity comes up. For anyone else struggling with this decision - trust your gut about whether you're genuinely ready to work right now. The extra few weeks off aren't worth the financial and legal risks if you can't honestly meet unemployment requirements.
Giovanni Colombo
Hi Maya! I'm currently going through the exact same process and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm planning to take my PFL baby bonding leave starting in February after completing my PDL in November. Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going with the 9-10 day window before my start date. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when I called EDD last week to ask some general questions, the representative mentioned that they've been processing PFL applications much faster lately (within 10-14 days instead of the usual 3-4 weeks) as long as all documentation is complete and correct. She also emphasized something that aligns with what several people mentioned here - making absolutely sure there's no overlap between your DI and PFL claims in their system. Apparently that's one of the most common causes of delays because it triggers additional manual review. I'm keeping a checklist based on all the great advice in this thread: certified birth certificate, clear scans showing all corners, confirm DI claim is fully paid out, coordinate with HR on exact dates, apply online 10 days before start date, and screenshot everything. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - this is so much more helpful than the generic EDD guidance!
0 coins
Tyler Murphy
•Hi Giovanni! That's really encouraging to hear that EDD is processing PFL applications faster lately - 10-14 days is so much better than 3-4 weeks! It sounds like they've streamlined things, which is great news for all of us going through this process. Your point about avoiding overlap between DI and PFL claims really reinforces what several others have mentioned. It seems like that's one of the biggest pitfalls that can cause major delays, so I'm definitely going to double and triple check that my DI claim shows everything as "Paid" before I submit my PFL application. I love that you're keeping a checklist too! Between your list and all the advice from everyone else in this thread, I feel like we have a pretty bulletproof strategy: certified birth certificate with clear scans, confirmed DI closure, HR coordination, 9-10 day timing window, online application, and documentation of everything. It's so reassuring to connect with others going through this exact same process. February will be here before you know it! Thanks for sharing that helpful info from your recent EDD call - it's always good to hear directly from their representatives about current processing times.
0 coins
StarSailor
Hi Maya! I just went through this exact same process about 3 months ago and wanted to share my experience since it sounds like we had very similar situations. I applied for my PFL baby bonding leave exactly 9 days before my planned start date through the online portal, and everything went smoothly! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple timeline checklist about 2 weeks before applying: - Confirmed my DI claim showed all payments as "Paid" - Ordered a certified copy of my baby's birth certificate (regular copies won't work!) - Contacted HR to confirm they had my exact leave dates in their system - Gathered all my documents and made sure scans were crystal clear - Set a reminder to apply exactly 9 days before my start date The online application was actually pretty straightforward and took about 20-25 minutes. The system handled the future start date perfectly - there's a specific field where you enter your intended begin date, so no confusion there. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're planning to breastfeed when you return to work, consider mentioning this in any communications with your employer now. Some companies need advance notice to ensure proper accommodations are in place, and it's one less thing to worry about when you're actually back at work. Based on all the great advice in this thread, your plan to apply about 10 days before December 15th sounds perfect! You've got this!
0 coins