Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD.

I went through this exact same issue last month! What worked for me was logging into UI Online and looking for the "Report Issue" or "Contact EDD" section. There's usually a form where you can explain the date discrepancy and attach supporting documents like your separation notice or pay stubs. It took about 10 business days, but they eventually corrected my dates without me having to call. Worth trying before you spend hours on hold!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that helped me tremendously during my EDD appeal last year. Beyond all the great advice here about documentation and evidence, I'd strongly recommend practicing your testimony out loud beforehand. I actually recorded myself explaining my situation multiple times and listened back to identify where I was rambling, getting emotional, or unclear. During the actual hearing, I was much more composed and articulate because I'd rehearsed the key points. Also, if your former employer shows up to the hearing, don't get rattled if they say things that aren't true. Stay calm, stick to your facts, and address any lies in your rebuttal time. The ALJ will notice inconsistencies. One last tip - when you submit your evidence packet, include a brief cover letter summarizing your case and referencing each piece of evidence by number. It makes it easier for the judge to follow your argument. You've got this! The fact that you're being so thorough in preparing shows you're taking it seriously, which will come across during the hearing.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of being wrongfully terminated AND having benefits denied is overwhelming. I went through a similar situation with a medical office that created a hostile work environment, then fired me when I raised concerns. Here's what I learned from my successful appeal: **Documentation is everything** - Your evidence sounds strong! Make sure to organize it chronologically and create a clear timeline showing: - Your positive work history before raising concerns - Specific incidents of hostile behavior - When you reported issues - The timing of your termination (retaliation pattern) **Key points for your hearing:** - Emphasize that you were fired for raising legitimate workplace concerns, not performance issues - If they can't provide documented warnings or specific misconduct incidents, that strengthens your case - The burden is on them to prove you committed "misconduct" (not just poor performance) **Practical tips:** - Submit ALL evidence before the hearing deadline - Practice explaining your situation clearly and factually - Don't get emotional during testimony - stick to documented facts - If your supportive coworker can testify live rather than just provide a written statement, that carries more weight The 28% statistic includes people who don't prepare well. With your documentation and preparation, your odds are much better. Keep certifying for benefits while appealing - you'll get backpay if you win! Stay strong - employers who create hostile environments and then lie to deny your benefits deserve to be challenged!

This thread is incredibly informative! I'm new to this community and currently navigating my first PFL claim for baby bonding leave. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been so reassuring - especially seeing @PixelWarrior's successful resolution! The detailed guidance from @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans about the correct process for extending PFL claims is exactly what I needed to understand. It's unfortunate that the system is so confusing and requires so much persistence, but knowing there are multiple approaches (SDI Online messaging, phone calls, and even services like the one @Sofia Gomez mentioned) gives me confidence that issues can be resolved. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for new parents trying to figure out these complex benefits!

As someone who's completely new to this community and the PFL system, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm currently expecting my first child and trying to understand all the ins and outs of paid family leave before I need to file my claim. Reading through everyone's experiences really highlights how easy it is to make mistakes with dates, but it's so reassuring to see there are clear solutions and such a supportive community here. @PixelWarrior, congratulations on your new baby and I'm so glad you were able to get everything resolved! The detailed step-by-step instructions from @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans are exactly the kind of guidance I hope I won't need but am grateful to have just in case. It's amazing how this community comes together to help navigate these complex systems. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's when I had the most success. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready before you call (claim number, social security number, the incorrect date you entered, and the correct date). The rep will need all of this info to make the change. One more tip - if you get disconnected (which happens way too often), don't give up! Keep trying. I know it's frustrating but it's really important to get this fixed before it affects your next payment. You've got this! 🙏

I dealt with this exact same situation a few months ago and it was such a headache! Here's what worked for me: I called the 1-800-300-5616 number that others mentioned, but I also sent a detailed message through UI Online at the same time explaining the error. In the online message, I included my claim number, the incorrect date I had entered, and the correct back-to-work date. Make sure to be super specific about the dates. It took about a week to get a response online, but they were able to fix it without me having to stay on hold for hours. The key is to act fast though - the longer you wait, the more complicated it can get. Also, keep records of everything you submit in case you need to reference it later. Don't panic, this happens more often than you'd think and they're used to fixing these kinds of mistakes!

I'm currently going through my first pregnancy and this thread has been a lifesaver! I'm only 28 weeks but already starting to stress about the timing of everything, especially after reading about these holiday delays. One thing I wanted to ask - has anyone had experience with claims getting processed faster if your employer proactively submits their portion early? My HR department mentioned they can submit employer verification as soon as I file my initial claim, rather than waiting for EDD to request it. I'm wondering if that helps speed things up at all, or if it just sits in their system until they get to processing the whole claim anyway? Also, for Zainab and others waiting - I know the financial stress is real, but it sounds like you'll definitely get your backdated payments once things process. The waiting is horrible but at least you won't lose any money! Keeping my fingers crossed that everyone starts seeing payments roll in early January! 🤞✨

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my pregnancy disability claim on December 12th and have been anxiously waiting for any updates. This thread has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that holidays actually pause the business day count for processing. I was getting really worried that something was wrong with my claim since it's been over two weeks now. The information about backdated payments is such a relief too. I've been stressing about missing out on money entirely if there were delays, but knowing that everything gets calculated from the actual disability start date makes me feel so much better about the timing. I also just set up those text alerts that someone mentioned earlier - what a game changer! I was checking my account like 5 times a day which was definitely not helping my stress levels. Now I can just wait for the notification and focus on other baby prep stuff. Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm now expecting my first payment around January 8-10th instead of before New Year's. The wait is tough when you're trying to budget for baby expenses, but at least now I have realistic expectations. Thank you all for sharing your timelines and tips - this community is so much more helpful than the EDD website! 🙏