have you tried turning it off and on again? 🤣 jk jk. EDD's website is trash, you're gonna have to call them

I went through something similar when I first moved to CA. The E324 error can also happen if there's a typo in how your name or SSN was entered in their system vs how you're entering it now. Try variations of your name (with/without middle initial, nicknames you might have used, etc.) when creating the account. Also, if you have any old W-2s or tax documents from CA employers, double-check that your SSN and name match exactly how they appear there. Sometimes employers submit info slightly differently than how you'd normally write your name.

Another trick that worked for me - try calling the Spanish line even if you don't speak Spanish fluently. When they answer, just say "English please" and they'll transfer you to an English-speaking agent. The Spanish line consistently has shorter wait times because fewer people think to try it. Also, download the EDD mobile app if you haven't already. Sometimes claim updates show up there before they appear on the website. It's still pretty clunky but occasionally gives you more detail about why a claim is stuck. One more thing - if you're comfortable sharing your zip code area, some local Assembly member offices have staff who specialize in EDD issues and can sometimes help expedite claims. It's worth a shot if you're really desperate!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 2.5 weeks ago and it's just sitting in pending status with zero communication. It's so stressful not knowing if there's an issue or if it's just normal processing time. I've been trying some of the tips from this thread - called right at 8am yesterday using both my phone and my partner's phone at the same time (thanks @Logan Chiang!) and actually got through on the second phone after about 15 minutes! The agent was super helpful and explained that my claim was just waiting for final verification that my pregnancy disability had fully closed out, which apparently takes 7-10 business days from your last disability payment. She also gave me her direct extension (which I'm not sure I should share publicly, but if you DM me I can pass it along). Definitely ask for a direct callback number when you get through - it saves so much time for follow-up questions! One more tip: she mentioned that if you're transitioning from pregnancy disability to baby bonding PFL, the system automatically holds your PFL claim until the disability claim shows as "paid in full" in their system, even if you already received your final payment. So the pending status might just be normal processing, not an actual problem with your application. Hope this helps and good luck everyone! The system is definitely broken but there are ways to work around it.

Unpopular opinion: maybe we should all just go back to paper checks. At least then we'd know exactly when it was mailed out 🤷‍♂️

I went through this exact same thing last month! Turned out my bank had flagged the EDD deposit as suspicious and put a hold on it without telling me. I only found out when I called the bank directly. Might be worth giving your bank a call to see if there's a hold or if they rejected the deposit for some reason. Also, make sure your account is still active and in good standing - sometimes banks will reject deposits if there are any issues with the account status.

Just as a follow-up for anyone reading this thread later - if you're still struggling to get through on the phone for PFL issues, please consider trying Claimyr. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to call 10+ times at 8am (especially with a newborn's unpredictable schedule). Their service saved me hours of frustration with my recent claim, and I've recommended it to everyone in my mom's group who's dealing with EDD issues.

Wow, what a journey! So glad you finally got through and got it resolved. Reading through this whole thread really highlights how broken the EDD system is - it's absolutely insane that new parents have to go through this much stress just to get benefits they're legally entitled to. The fact that your claim was stuck on "pending documentation verification" for weeks when everything was already uploaded is exactly the kind of systemic issue that needs to be fixed. Thanks for sharing your experience and the step-by-step process - this will definitely help other parents in the same situation. Enjoy your bonding time with your little one! 👶

And don't forget to check if your employer requires you to use your accrued PTO/vacation alongside these leaves! Some employers make you use up your vacation time during FMLA/CFRA periods before going unpaid. Others let you choose. Knowing this policy could affect how you plan your overall leave strategy.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm not pregnant yet but planning to start trying next year, and reading through everyone's experiences is making me realize I need to start researching this stuff way earlier than I thought. Question for those who've been through it - when did you start having these conversations with HR? Should I be asking about company policies now, or wait until I'm actually pregnant? I don't want to tip my hand too early but also want to be prepared! Also, does anyone know if the 8 weeks of PFL baby bonding can be split up? Like could I take 4 weeks right after my disability ends, go back to work for a bit, then take the other 4 weeks later in the year?