I'm going through this exact same situation and this thread has been such a lifesaver! I was on pregnancy disability from July through September 2024, then transitioned to PFL for baby bonding through December. Like so many others here, I had no idea about the tax withholding option when I applied - I was just focused on getting through the application while dealing with morning sickness and then recovery. Reading everyone's experiences has really helped me understand that I need to report my two 1099-G forms separately and that both benefits are federally taxable but CA state exempt. The 12-15% federal tax estimates people are sharing are actually really helpful for planning, even though it's scary to think about owing that much when we're already adjusting our budget for a new baby. I'm planning to use TurboTax based on all the positive feedback here about how it handles EDD benefits correctly. And I'm definitely going to look into those tax credits everyone mentioned - it's encouraging to know that having lower income from leave and a new baby might actually help us qualify for credits that could offset some of the tax liability. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't provide any guidance on the tax implications when you're applying, especially when you're already overwhelmed with everything else that comes with having a baby.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was on pregnancy disability from June through August 2024, then switched to PFL for baby bonding through December. Like everyone else here, I didn't realize I needed to elect tax withholding when I applied - I was so focused on just getting the benefits approved while dealing with pregnancy complications and then a newborn. Reading through all these responses has really clarified things for me. Now I understand that I need to report my two 1099-G forms separately (one for SDI, one for PFL) and that both are federally taxable but California state exempt. The estimates of owing 12-15% in federal taxes are helpful to know for budgeting, even though it's not what any new parent wants to hear! I'm planning to use TurboTax since so many people here have had success with how it handles EDD benefits correctly. And I'm definitely going to make sure I explore all the potential tax credits - it's encouraging to know that having lower income from extended leave plus a new baby might actually help us qualify for credits like the Child Tax Credit and EITC that could offset some of the tax liability. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! It's honestly frustrating that EDD doesn't explain any of these tax implications when you're applying, especially when you're already overwhelmed with everything that comes with having a baby. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating this confusing process!

This thread has been absolutely life-changing for me! I'm currently 5 weeks into my PFL bonding time and have been panicking about my return to work because I'm still dealing with severe postpartum joint pain and fatigue that my doctor says could take months to resolve. I had completely given up hope and thought I'd have to choose between my health and financial stability, but reading everyone's detailed experiences here has shown me there might actually be a path forward. The specific advice about working with specialists, being detailed about functional limitations, and applying 10 days before PFL ends is exactly what I needed to know. What gives me the most hope is seeing how many different types of legitimate complications have been successfully covered - it's clear that when properly documented, the system does recognize that some people need more recovery time than the standard timeline allows. I'm scheduling appointments with both my rheumatologist and OB next week to start preparing my documentation. The tip about downloading the DE2501 form ahead of time and bringing specific requirements to help doctors fill it out properly is brilliant - I never would have thought of that! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share such detailed, practical advice. This community support is incredible and honestly feels like a lifeline when you're trying to navigate such a complex system while recovering from childbirth. You're all amazing! 💕

This is such valuable information! I'm currently 3 weeks into my PFL bonding time and had no idea this was even possible. I've been dealing with ongoing pelvic floor dysfunction that's making it impossible to sit for long periods (which is basically my entire job as a software developer), but my doctor just keeps saying "give it more time" without explaining any options for extending benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences about working with specialists and getting detailed documentation gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to ask for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist and start preparing the DE2501 form documentation early based on all the advice here. The tip about applying 10 days before PFL ends to minimize gaps is so helpful - I wouldn't have thought to be that proactive! Also really appreciate everyone emphasizing not to feel guilty about needing more recovery time. The pressure to "bounce back" quickly is so real, but every situation is different. Thank you to this amazing community for sharing such detailed, practical guidance. This thread is literally a lifesaver for moms trying to navigate these complex systems! 💕

Just wanted to jump in and say this thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - payment shows as issued 6 days ago but nothing in my account yet. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much hope that this will get resolved. I never realized how many technical hiccups could cause delays between EDD issuing a payment and it actually hitting your bank account. I'm going to work through all the suggestions here: checking with my bank for holds, verifying my routing number, calling that automated line, and just being more patient with the processing times. It's such a relief to know this is common and usually resolves itself. Thank you all for taking the time to share your stories and solutions! 💙

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My payment was issued 4 days ago according to my EDD portal, but still nothing in my bank account. This thread is honestly a goldmine of information - I had no idea there were so many potential reasons for delays beyond just "EDD is slow." Based on everyone's advice, here's my game plan: 1. Call my bank first to check if they flagged or rejected the deposit 2. Verify my routing number is still current (great catch on this!) 3. Try that automated EDD line (1-866-333-4606) for more detailed payment status 4. Check the payment history section on my EDD account for additional details 5. Be more patient with weekend/holiday processing delays It's so stressful when you're counting on that money, but reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that this will get sorted out. Will definitely update this thread once I figure out what the issue was in case it helps others! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community support is amazing! 🙏

I'm also new to this community and going through my first PFL claim! Mine just changed to "processed" yesterday, so I'm right at the beginning of this waiting period. Reading everyone's experiences here is so helpful - I had no idea what to expect with the timeline. It's reassuring to know that 7-10 business days is normal and that Money Network is usually pretty quick once it changes to "paid." I was starting to worry that something was wrong since I didn't see the money immediately. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and tips! This community seems really supportive. I'll try to be patient and not check my account every hour (though let's be honest, I probably still will 😅). Will definitely look into setting up those text alerts that Miguel mentioned!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community and currently dealing with my first PFL claim. Mine has been showing "processed" for about 4 days now with Money Network, and I was getting pretty anxious about the timeline until I found this thread. Reading through all of your experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! It sounds like the 7-10 business day window from "processed" to actually receiving payment is pretty standard. I was definitely one of those people checking my account multiple times a day (guilty! 😅), but now I know that's totally normal behavior. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - this community seems really supportive for those of us navigating the PFL process for the first time. I'm going to set up those text alerts through Money Network that were mentioned and try to be more patient. Fingers crossed we all see our payments soon!

Wow, this thread is exactly what I needed! I've been stressing about cancelling my PFL claim for weeks and was dreading the whole process. The early morning call strategy seems to be working for everyone - I'm definitely setting my alarm for 7:45 AM tomorrow to be ready to call right at 8:00. Love the tip about having everything written down beforehand, and the suspend vs cancel distinction Sophie mentioned is huge - I had no idea that was even an option. Really grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences instead of just complaining about the system. Sometimes this community really comes through! 🙌 Will report back with how it goes!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now and was totally overwhelmed by the thought of navigating the bureaucracy. The early morning call strategy seems to be the real MVP here - I had no idea timing could make such a huge difference in wait times. Really appreciate everyone sharing their actual experiences and step-by-step processes instead of just venting about how broken the system is (though let's be real, it definitely has its issues 😅). The distinction between suspend vs cancel that Sophie brought up is particularly eye-opening - that's definitely something I need to ask about when I call. Planning to follow the collective wisdom here and call first thing Monday morning with all my info written out beforehand. Thanks to everyone for making this feel way less intimidating! 🙏