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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!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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Wow, this thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who just found out I'm pregnant with my first baby, I'm bookmarking this entire conversation. The level of detail and practical advice here is amazing - from the specific PFL phone number and best times to call, to the assembly member contact strategy and WorkSource center option. I had no idea there were so many different ways to actually reach EDD beyond just calling the main number and hoping for the best. It's honestly both reassuring and frustrating that we need this many workarounds just to access benefits we pay into, but I'm so grateful that people like you all are willing to share what actually works. This community is a lifesaver for navigating these systems! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and strategies. 🙏
Congratulations on your pregnancy, Sadie! 🎉 This thread really has become an incredible resource. I'm not pregnant myself, but I stumbled across this community while researching EDD for a family member and I'm blown away by how helpful everyone has been. It's like a masterclass in actually navigating government bureaucracy! I think what strikes me most is how Yara went from being completely stuck and anxious to successfully getting through and getting her forms filed - it shows that with the right information and persistence, these systems can be conquered. I'm definitely sharing this thread with friends who might need it in the future. Best of luck with your pregnancy journey!
This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and was already starting to stress about the EDD transition process, but reading through everyone's experiences and strategies has given me a clear action plan. I love how this went from Yara's initial panic to a comprehensive guide with so many different approaches - the specific PFL number, timing strategies, assembly member contacts, WorkSource centers, and even the UI Online portal dropdown tip. I'm going to start calling at 36 weeks using the early morning strategy, but it's so reassuring to know there are backup options if that doesn't work. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - both the successes AND the horror stories (looking at you, Javier's audit situation 😅). This kind of community knowledge-sharing is invaluable when dealing with these complex systems. Definitely saving this entire thread for reference!
Diego, it's so smart that you're planning ahead at 32 weeks! I wish I had found this thread earlier in my pregnancy. One thing I'd add to your action plan - when you do call at 36 weeks, make sure you also ask about any recent changes to the PFL process. I've noticed that EDD sometimes updates their procedures without much notice, so it's worth confirming that all the advice in this thread is still current. Also, don't forget to ask for that direct extension number like Yara got - it could save you so much hassle if you need to follow up later. This thread really should be required reading for every pregnant person in California! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! 🍀
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I went through this exact same situation last year and I know how stressful it feels! Here's what I learned: Call EDD as early as possible (I had success calling right at 8:00 AM), be completely upfront about the mistake, and have all your documentation ready before you dial. When I explained that I had accidentally provided incorrect income information, the agent was actually really understanding and said it happens more often than you'd think. They were able to update my claim during that same phone call and put a note in my file that it was a voluntary correction. The whole thing was resolved within about 10 days with zero penalties because I was proactive about fixing it. The key is being honest and having your employer details, dates, and correct income amounts organized beforehand. Don't stress too much - EDD agents much prefer helping people who come forward to fix honest mistakes rather than dealing with people who try to hide information. You're absolutely doing the right thing by addressing this immediately! 🙌
This is incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing! I've been really anxious about making this call, but your experience gives me so much confidence. The fact that the agent was understanding and that you had zero penalties for being proactive is exactly what I needed to hear. I love how you emphasized having all the documentation organized beforehand - I'm going to spend tonight getting all my employer details, dates, and correct income amounts written out clearly so I'm fully prepared. Your point about EDD preferring people who come forward versus those who hide information really puts this in perspective. I'm going to set my alarm early and call right at 8:00 AM tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and encouraging account of your experience! 🙏
I made a similar mistake a couple years ago and was absolutely terrified to call EDD! But honestly, the call went so much better than I expected. The agent was super understanding and said these income reporting errors happen literally every day. Here's what made my call successful: I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday, had my claim number and all employment info written down, and was completely honest that I made an honest mistake and wanted to fix it ASAP. The agent updated everything right there on the call and made a note that it was a voluntary correction. No penalties, no drama - just a simple fix. The correction showed up in my account within about a week. You're 100% doing the right thing by being proactive about this. They would SO much rather help someone fix an honest mistake than deal with fraud issues down the road. Take a deep breath, gather your paperwork, and make that call - you've got this! 💪
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This thread has been so eye-opening! I'm currently pregnant with my first baby and have been stressed about maternity leave since I've only been at my current job for 7 months. My manager made a comment last week about how "short-term employees don't get the same benefits" which really worried me. But reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that my manager is confusing FMLA job protection with PFL wage replacement benefits. I've been working in California for over 2 years and paying SDI the whole time, so it sounds like I should absolutely be eligible for the pregnancy disability leave and baby bonding benefits through EDD. It's honestly mind-blowing how common this employer confusion seems to be! Every single story here sounds almost identical - HR departments mixing up federal job protection laws with state disability benefits. Makes me wonder if there should be some kind of mandatory training for employers about California's leave programs. I'm definitely going to start gathering the official EDD documentation now so I'm prepared when I need to educate my manager. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - it's given me so much confidence to advocate for the benefits I've already earned through my paycheck deductions!
I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! Your situation is unfortunately very common - that comment from your manager about "short-term employees" is exactly the kind of confusion we've all been talking about here. You're absolutely right that you should be eligible for both pregnancy disability leave and PFL baby bonding benefits since you've been paying SDI for over 2 years. The fact that you've only been at your current job for 7 months is completely irrelevant for PFL eligibility - it only matters for FMLA/CFRA job protection. I love your idea about mandatory training for employers! It really seems like every new parent in California has to become an expert on these programs just to get the benefits they've already paid for through payroll deductions. One thing I'd suggest is maybe having a casual conversation with your manager sooner rather than later to start educating them about the distinction. You could frame it as "I've been researching my options and wanted to clarify..." rather than waiting until you're closer to your due date when emotions and stress might be higher. The official EDD resources really do make a difference when you need to show employers the facts. Having that documentation ready will give you so much confidence in those conversations. Best of luck with your pregnancy and navigating this leave situation!
This is such great advice! I really like the idea of having a casual, educational conversation with my manager earlier rather than waiting until I'm closer to my due date. Framing it as "I've been researching my options" is perfect - it positions me as being proactive and informed rather than confrontational. You're so right that waiting until later in pregnancy when stress levels are higher probably isn't the best approach. Having that conversation now gives both me and my manager time to understand the process and plan accordingly. It's really encouraging to see how supportive this community is - everyone sharing their experiences and practical tips has made me feel so much more confident about advocating for myself. I was genuinely worried I might not have any paid leave options, but now I understand that I've actually been paying for these benefits all along through SDI deductions! I'm going to start putting together those EDD resources this week and plan to have that conversation with my manager soon. Thank you for the thoughtful advice and encouragement!
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This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm dealing with a similar issue where my middle name is getting truncated and causing validation errors. Reading through all these solutions has given me a whole action plan to try. I'm especially interested in the mobile version approach and the local EDD office suggestion - those seem like they might be less stressful than fighting with the main system. One thing I wanted to add: if anyone is dealing with this and has dependents, make sure to factor in the extra time these workarounds might take. I almost missed some important school paperwork deadlines because I was so focused on getting the EDD application submitted. Sometimes it helps to tackle these government systems like a part-time job - set aside specific hours and don't let it consume your whole day. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and solutions! 🙌
Great point about treating it like a part-time job and setting boundaries! I learned that lesson the hard way - spent an entire weekend obsessing over this stuff and it was mentally exhausting. The tip about factoring in extra time for dependents is super smart too. I don't have kids but I can imagine how stressful it would be trying to juggle school deadlines on top of EDD issues. This whole thread really shows how we shouldn't have to become experts in bureaucratic workarounds just to get basic services, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their knowledge. It's like we've created our own unofficial EDD troubleshooting guide! Hope the mobile version works out for you - seems to be helping a lot of people 🤞
Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been lurking and reading through all these amazing suggestions! I'm currently dealing with my own EDD application issues (different problem, but same frustration level). This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many potential workarounds for the broken system. What strikes me most is how we've essentially become a support group helping each other navigate what should be a straightforward government process. It's both inspiring and deeply frustrating that we have to crowdsource solutions like this. For anyone still struggling with the name length issue, I'd definitely recommend trying multiple approaches from this thread simultaneously rather than going one by one - the mobile version, all caps, periods for hyphens, etc. Time seems to be critical with these applications, so casting a wide net might help. Also wanted to say thank you to everyone sharing their experiences, especially @Jasmine Quinn, @Yuki Kobayashi, and @Justin Trejo for the detailed professional insights. This community is proving that sometimes peer support is more valuable than official customer service! Sending good vibes to everyone dealing with EDD nightmares right now - we'll get through this! 🤞✊
Angelica Smith
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - I work full-time at a marketing agency and also do IHSS care for my aunt (about 15 hours/week). I was so stressed about how to handle the DE2501 form correctly, but reading everyone's real experiences has given me so much clarity. What I'm taking away from all these responses is that EDD actually expects you to list ALL employers - they need the complete picture to calculate your benefits properly. The key is being super clear about which job you're taking leave from and which you're continuing. I'm planning to list both my agency job and IHSS position, but I'll add a note like "CONTINUING IHSS CARE - NO MATERNITY LEAVE TAKEN" for the IHSS entry. Then during bi-weekly certifications, I'll just report my IHSS wages honestly. It's so frustrating that the EDD website doesn't explain these dual employer scenarios clearly, but this community discussion has been a lifesaver! Thank you to everyone who shared their successful experiences - you've all made this process feel so much less overwhelming.
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Isabella Costa
•This entire discussion has been such a relief to read! I'm in the exact same situation - working full-time at a retail corporate office and doing IHSS care for my elderly mother about 12 hours per week. I've been putting off starting my DE2501 paperwork because I was so overwhelmed by the dual employer aspect, but everyone's experiences here have made it crystal clear what I need to do. I'm going to list both employers but add something like "CONTINUING IHSS CARE - NOT REQUESTING LEAVE" for my mom's care entry. It's incredible how much more helpful this community thread has been compared to the EDD website - you've all saved me from so much stress and confusion! I feel ready to tackle the forms now knowing that transparency and clear communication about which job I'm taking leave from is the key to success.
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Giovanni Conti
I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I work full-time as an accountant and also do IHSS care for my disabled cousin (about 16 hours/week). I was completely panicking about how to fill out the DE2501 form correctly, but reading everyone's real experiences has given me so much confidence. What I've learned from all of you is that EDD actually NEEDS the complete employment picture - listing both jobs isn't a problem, it's a requirement! I'm going to follow everyone's advice and add a clear note like "CONTINUING IHSS CARE - NOT TAKING MATERNITY LEAVE" next to my cousin's care entry on the form. The most reassuring thing from this discussion is understanding that EDD handles these dual employer situations all the time, especially with IHSS providers. As long as I'm transparent about which job I'm taking leave from and honest about my IHSS wages during certification, everything should work smoothly. Thank you SO much to everyone who shared their successful experiences here! The EDD website is completely useless for explaining these common scenarios, but this community has been a total lifesaver. I feel prepared to submit my paperwork without all the anxiety I was feeling before!
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