Hey Amara! I had a similar issue a few months back. One thing that helped me was checking my mail - sometimes they send paper notices that don't show up online right away. Also, if you're still within your benefit year, your claim should automatically remain active as long as you're eligible. The tricky part is making sure all your paperwork is processed. Have you tried calling the PFL line specifically? It's different from regular unemployment and sometimes has shorter wait times. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you'll get through it!

Hey Amara! I went through this exact same thing last year. Here's what worked for me: First, check if you can see your claim in the "SDI Online" portal (that's the State Disability Insurance system that handles PFL). Sometimes the regular EDD site doesn't show PFL claims properly. Also, look for any mail from "State Disability Insurance" - they send updates separately from regular EDD correspondence. If your claim was recently filed, it can take 14+ days just for initial processing. One more tip: if you need to call, try the automated phone system first (1-877-238-4373) - you can sometimes get basic status info without waiting for a human. The system is definitely frustrating but don't give up! Your benefits are worth fighting for. 💪

Just want to echo what others have said about checking with your employer! I had a similar issue where my claim was stuck for 4 weeks and it turned out my company's payroll department had submitted incorrect wage information. Once they corrected it, everything processed within a few days. Also, when you do get through to someone (whether through Claimyr or regular calling), ask them to check for ANY system flags or notes on your account - even tiny ones. Sometimes there are automated holds that agents can easily clear but the system doesn't tell you about them. The whole thing is incredibly frustrating but don't give up! Your benefits are worth fighting for.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently 3 weeks into waiting for my PFL claim and was starting to panic thinking something was wrong. Reading about Dmitry's hyphen issue and Evelyn's wage information problem makes me realize there could be so many hidden issues causing delays that they just don't tell you about. I'm going to contact my HR department tomorrow to double-check they submitted everything correctly, and I'm also going to review my application with a magnifying glass to make sure every single character matches my other documents exactly. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to be detectives to figure out why our own benefits are being held up, but at least now I have a game plan. Definitely keeping that Claimyr service as backup if I can't get through in the next week or two. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real advice new parents need!

I'm a new mom who recently transitioned from disability to baby bonding PFL after my employer terminated me during my recovery period. I can definitely confirm that you CAN receive PFL benefits even after termination - your eligibility is based on your wage history during the base period, not your current employment status when you file. Here's what made my transition smooth: I filed my DE2508 form online about 10 days before my disability ended, making sure to specify that my PFL should start the day after my disability benefits stopped. The key was having my doctor put a very clear, specific end date on the final medical certification - no vague language like "approximately" or "pending reassessment." One thing I wish I'd known earlier: save screenshots of your entire EDD account before starting the transition! During my switch from disability to PFL, some of my payment history temporarily disappeared from the portal, and having those screenshots helped when I needed to reference past payments. Also, don't let your employer intimidate you about your benefits. When mine tried to suggest that termination would affect my PFL eligibility, I knew from researching that they were wrong. You've paid into this system through your paychecks - these benefits are YOURS. The financial stress is real, but the system does work once you understand the process. You're asking all the right questions and planning ahead, which will serve you well. Take care of yourself and that little one! 💕

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! As a new member here, I've been reading through all the responses and I'm amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. I wanted to add my perspective as someone who just went through a similar transition last month. Yes, you absolutely CAN receive baby bonding PFL after termination! Your eligibility is based on your earnings during the base period (when you were working and paying into SDI), not whether you're currently employed when you file. Here's what worked perfectly for me: I submitted my DE2508 form about 2 weeks before my disability was set to end, and I made sure to specify the exact start date for my PFL (the day after my disability ended). The transition was seamless with no gap in payments. Two things that really helped: 1) I had my doctor write the disability end date very clearly at the top of the final medical form, not just buried in the notes, and 2) I took screenshots of my entire EDD account dashboard before starting the transition process, which came in handy when I needed to reference information later. Don't let your employer make you feel like you're not entitled to these benefits - you've earned them through your payroll deductions! I know how overwhelming this feels when you're dealing with recovery and caring for a newborn, but you're asking all the right questions and you've got this! The community here has given you excellent advice. Wishing you and your little one all the best! 💙

UPDATE: I called EDD this morning (was on hold for over an hour) and finally got through! The rep said my claim is actually approved but there was a small system delay in updating my online account. She said payment should be issued within 24-48 hours! So relieved. Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement to call instead of continuing to wait.

Congratulations on getting through and getting it resolved! Your experience is a perfect example of why persistence pays off with EDD. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - Omar's timeline and approach is spot on. 14 days is getting close to when you should definitely call, especially if you're facing financial pressure. The key takeaways: 1) Don't wait too long if money is tight, 2) Call early morning for better chances, 3) Sometimes the system shows "pending" even when it's actually approved. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - it really helps other parents going through the same stress!

Just a heads up, there's been some changes to the PFL policy recently. Make sure you're looking at the most up-to-date info on the official website. I almost messed up my application because I was using old guidelines 😅

I'm in the same boat right now - applied about 10 days ago and still waiting for that callback! The anxiety is real 😰 I've been checking my online account daily but no updates yet. Reading through these comments is actually making me feel better knowing I'm not alone in this. @Zainab Abdulrahman your checklist is gold, I'm definitely going to start keeping a log. Has anyone tried calling the main number directly or is it always just endless hold times?