unpopular opinion: sometimes its easier to just let the claims overlap and deal with slightly lower benefits than go thru the hassle of changing dates. been down this road and the stress wasnt worth it for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Just went through this exact same situation last month! The key is to be super specific about which claim you want adjusted and why. When I called, I explained that the overlap was preventing me from getting my full benefits and asked them to modify the start date on my FMLA claim to begin after my SDI ended. Make sure you have both claim numbers handy and be prepared to explain the timeline clearly. Also, don't hang up until they confirm the changes in the system - I made that mistake the first time and had to call back again. You got this! 💪

I'm currently going through this exact same nightmare! Had my baby 18 days ago and submitted my delivery date verification 11 days ago through the online portal. My claim has been stuck on "pending" ever since and I'm starting to panic because rent is due next week. I've called that useless number from the notification probably 15 times with zero callbacks. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring (knowing I'm not alone) and infuriating (that this is such a widespread problem). I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy with the main disability number tomorrow using the script that worked for others. It's absolutely ridiculous that new parents have to deal with this bureaucratic mess when we should be focusing on our babies and recovery. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. I'll update once I hopefully get through to someone who can actually help!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with a newborn! This exact same thing happened to me in November. After reading through all these responses, I want to add one more tip that really helped me: when you do get through to EDD (and you will!), ask the representative to verify that your uploaded documents are actually readable in their system. Sometimes the files get corrupted during upload or their system can't open certain formats, but they won't automatically tell you this. In my case, my PDF was "received" but couldn't be opened, so I had to resubmit as a JPEG. Once I did that and called back to confirm they could access it, my payment was processed within 3 business days. Also, keep screenshots of your online account showing when you submitted everything - it can be helpful proof if there are any disputes about timing. The whole system is definitely broken, but don't lose hope! You WILL get your payments eventually, including all the back pay you're owed.

New member here! This thread has been so incredibly helpful as I'm planning my own return to work with intermittent PFL. I'm due in 6 weeks and want to get prepared early since I'll likely want to do a similar part-time schedule. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on WHICH days of the week you can take as PFL days? Like, could I theoretically do Wednesday/Thursday as my PFL days, or does it need to be consecutive days like Monday/Friday or Thursday/Friday? Also, for those who have done this - did you find that having mid-week PFL days vs end-of-week days made any difference for work continuity or your own adjustment? I'm trying to think through what schedule would work best for both bonding time and maintaining good relationships with my team when I return. Thanks in advance for any insights!

New member here! I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally decided to join after reading this incredibly helpful thread. I'm currently 8 months pregnant with my first and already stressing about how to balance returning to work with wanting to spend time with my baby. Reading everyone's experiences with intermittent PFL has been such a relief - I had no idea this was even an option! My job is pretty flexible and I think they'd be open to a part-time arrangement, but I was worried about the financial aspect of only working 2-3 days a week. @Giovanni Marino - your breakdown of the 40-day calculation was super helpful. If I understand correctly, taking PFL for 2 days a week would let me stretch the benefits over about 5 months? That seems like it could be a perfect transition period. @Dmitry Sokolov - I love your advice about calling EDD before filing online. Did you have any specific questions prepared, or did you just explain your situation and let them guide you through it? For those who've done this successfully, what was the hardest part about managing the intermittent schedule? I'm wondering if it's more challenging to context-switch between work days and bonding days, or if the variety actually makes it easier? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. This thread is giving me so much confidence that I can make this work! ✨

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm expecting in January 2026 and had been putting off dealing with the whole leave situation because it seemed so overwhelming. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me a clear roadmap for approaching this. I love how several people mentioned creating a timeline document - that seems like such a smart way to present your plan to HR instead of just asking vague questions. I'm also definitely going to start with getting our actual employee handbook language rather than relying on what HR tells me verbally. One quick question: For those who had success with stacking benefits, about how long did the whole approval process take from your initial HR meeting to getting everything confirmed? I want to make sure I start this process with enough time before my due date. Also, has anyone dealt with a situation where your company uses a third-party leave administrator (like FMLA Source or similar)? I just found out my company outsources leave management and I'm wondering if that changes the process at all. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences. This is exactly the kind of practical information expectant parents need!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm expecting my first baby in April 2025 and was completely lost trying to figure out how to coordinate all these different leave options. Reading everyone's detailed experiences has given me so much clarity and confidence going into this process. The key takeaways that really stood out to me: - Ask HR specifically about "concurrent vs consecutive" benefit use (much better than vague questions) - Get the actual employee handbook/policy language in writing, not just verbal explanations - Create a timeline document showing exactly how you want to sequence benefits - Start early but remember the 41-day PFL application window - Document everything in follow-up emails I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about financial planning during reduced pay periods and the reminder that CA PFL is YOUR right as someone who pays into the system - employers can't take that away, only decide how their policy works alongside it. One question I have: Has anyone dealt with coordinating benefits when your employer offers different leave policies for different employee levels (like management vs non-management)? I want to make sure I understand exactly which policy applies to me before having that HR conversation. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community and sharing your real-world experiences so openly. This thread should honestly be required reading for every expectant parent in California! 🤰

I actually just went through this exact same thing last week! What finally worked for me was going to a physical EDD office. I know it's a pain, but they were able to update my direct deposit info on the spot. Took about 2 hours total including wait time, but way better than being stuck in phone hell. You can find office locations and hours on their website. Bring your ID, bank routing/account info, and a voided check or bank statement just to be safe!

I had this exact same issue a few weeks ago! What ended up working for me was switching to a different device entirely. I was trying on my phone and laptop with no luck, but when I borrowed my roommate's desktop computer it went through immediately. Something about the way different devices handle the verification process I guess? Also make sure you're not using any browser extensions or ad blockers - those can interfere with the bank verification. Worth a shot before you have to deal with calling or going in person!