I'm going through this exact same situation with my 6-week-old! Just wanted to share what I learned after calling EDD yesterday (somehow got through in only 45 minutes!). The rep confirmed that the DE 2580GF form absolutely must be mailed - there's no online submission option despite how confusing their website makes it seem. She also mentioned that they're processing these forms much faster now, typically within 3-4 business days of receipt. I ended up mailing mine yesterday using Priority Mail with tracking for about $9, and I made sure to take clear photos of every page before sending. One tip the rep gave me - if you're worried about processing delays, you can actually check your EDD online account portal starting about 5 days after mailing, as the status often updates there before you receive any payment notification. It's so frustrating that we have to deal with this antiquated paper system when we're already sleep-deprived and caring for newborns, but at least hearing from other parents who've successfully navigated it makes it feel less overwhelming. Hang in there and enjoy those precious bonding moments with your little one despite the bureaucratic headaches!

I'm also navigating PFL with my 4-week-old and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I called my local EDD office directly (not the main customer service line) and they were much easier to reach. The local office confirmed they accept hand-delivered forms if you really don't trust the mail, and they also told me something interesting - they actually recommend using the pre-paid envelope that comes with the DE 2580GF form if you received one, as it goes directly to their processing center and can be faster than regular mail to their PO Box. I hadn't noticed the envelope at first because I was so focused on the form itself! For anyone still waiting to receive their form, the rep mentioned they're currently seeing about 7-10 days from when they mail it to when people receive it, so don't panic if it hasn't arrived yet. I'm planning to use the pre-paid envelope tomorrow and will update if there are any issues. This whole system definitely needs to be modernized, but it's so comforting to see all these recent success stories from other new parents!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation while trying to recover from your c-section and bond with your new baby! 💕 The EDD system really fails new parents when we need support the most. I went through a similar employer date error appeal last year and wanted to share what helped me get through it successfully: **My timeline**: 4.5 weeks from filing to approval with full backpay **Key strategies that seemed to help**: - Filed the appeal immediately (don't wait - you only have 30 days!) - Called the day after filing to request expedited processing for "postpartum recovery from c-section" - being specific about your medical situation helps - Kept my appeal letter to one page with clear bullet points explaining the employer error - Included copies of my last 3 pay stubs AND asked my supervisor for a signed statement acknowledging the mistake - Called every Monday at 8 AM for status updates - early morning seemed to get me through faster **Practical survival tips while waiting**: - Applied for WIC benefits to help with groceries - Joined local Buy Nothing groups for baby supplies - Asked family/friends to meal train through the waiting period The employer date error is one of the most common appeal issues and has a very high success rate - probably 85-90% approval rate from what I've seen in various mom groups. Your documentation sounds solid! Please don't let their bureaucratic mess pressure you into returning to work early when you're still healing from major surgery. You've paid into this system and deserve every day of leave you're entitled to. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but it's worth fighting for your recovery time and precious bonding moments with your little one. You've got this, mama! Stay strong and don't give up! 💪❤️

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare while trying to recover from your c-section! I just went through the exact same situation 6 months ago - employer date error, PFL denial, the whole mess. My appeal took about 5 weeks total and I was approved with full backpay. Here's what I learned that might help: **File your appeal ASAP** - you only have 30 days and the clock is ticking! When you call to confirm they received it, ask specifically for expedited processing due to "postpartum recovery from emergency c-section requiring extended healing time." **Documentation that helped me**: - Simple one-page appeal letter with bullet points explaining the employer error - Copies of my last 4 pay stubs clearly showing my actual last work date - A signed letter from my manager acknowledging their mistake - Screenshot of my employee portal showing correct employment dates **Practical tip**: Call every Tuesday morning around 8:30 AM for status updates. I found Tuesday mornings had the shortest wait times. The financial stress while waiting was awful, but looking back, it was 100% worth fighting for. You deserve this recovery time, especially after an emergency c-section! Don't let their incompetence pressure you into returning before you're ready. Also, join some local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook - other moms were incredibly generous with baby supplies while I was waiting for my appeal, which really helped stretch our budget. You've got solid documentation and employer date errors have a very high success rate on appeal. Hang in there mama - you've got this! 💪💕

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My payment was supposedly processed 6 days ago and I'm checking the mailbox like 3 times a day 📬 The stress is real when you need that money ASAP. I've been reading that some people have had success with the USPS Informed Delivery service - it shows you what mail is coming that day. Might help ease some of the anxiety of not knowing if today's the day. Also saw someone mention that if it goes past 10 business days, you can request a payment inquiry or even ask for a replacement check. Fingers crossed both our checks show up soon! 🤞

I'm in the exact same situation right now! My payment status changed to "issued" 5 days ago but still nothing in my mailbox. The daily mail check has become part of my routine at this point 😩 I called the EDD number yesterday and after 2 hours on hold, the rep told me to wait 10 business days from the issue date before they can do anything. She also mentioned that mail delays have been worse lately due to staffing issues at USPS. I'm trying to stay patient but it's hard when you're budgeting around that money. Definitely going to try that Informed Delivery thing someone mentioned - sounds like it could save some anxiety!

Seriously tho, has anyone tried contacting their local representative about this? I'm thinking of reaching out to mine to see if they can help speed things up.

I'm in week 7 of waiting for my PDL approval and honestly starting to lose hope. It's so frustrating because I need this money to cover my expenses while I'm out on leave. The stress of waiting is almost worse than the original reason I needed the leave! Has anyone had success getting through to someone who could actually help expedite the process? I've tried the regular phone lines but like others mentioned, it's nearly impossible to get through. Might have to try that calling service someone mentioned earlier.

Congratulations on your baby coming so soon! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared and wanted to add my own experience from going through this process just 2 months ago. You can absolutely file tomorrow - don't wait! The 7-day waiting period is about when payments begin, not when you can submit your claim. I filed the day after my last work day and while I didn't get paid for that first week, my benefits started on day 8 as expected. One thing I'd emphasize that really saved me stress: create a simple checklist and timeline for yourself. Mine looked like: Day 1 (tomorrow) - file claim online early in the day, Day 3-4 - call automated line to confirm claim received, Week 2 - follow up if still showing pending, etc. Having that roadmap helped me stay calm when the process felt overwhelming. Also, if your company offers any kind of supplemental disability insurance or paid leave that might cover that first week, definitely check with HR today before you leave! I discovered my employer had a small benefit that covered the waiting period but I almost missed the deadline to apply. The system definitely has its quirks and delays, but most people do get through it successfully. You're asking all the right questions and getting excellent advice here. Wishing you a smooth delivery and that your claim processes quickly! 💕

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this thread closely since I'm also expecting and trying to figure out all these EDD requirements. Your question really resonated with me because I was confused about the same timing issue! From everything I've read here, it sounds like you can definitely file tomorrow (your first official day off work) - the 7-day waiting period is just about when you start receiving payments, not when you can submit your claim. I've been taking notes on all the great advice shared here, and the key points seem to be: file online as soon as possible, make sure your doctor faxes the medical certification directly to EDD rather than submitting it yourself, take screenshots of everything during the filing process, and budget for about 3 weeks without payment to account for both the waiting period and processing time. It's definitely nerve-wracking dealing with all this paperwork when you should be focusing on your baby, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated this process (even with some bumps along the way) is really encouraging. The community here has been incredibly helpful in breaking down what can feel like an overwhelming system! Wishing you a smooth delivery and hoping your claim processes quickly! Thanks for asking the questions many of us newcomers are wondering about too! 💕