Can't reach California Paid Family Leave? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
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If I could give 10 stars I would
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!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
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!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
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.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
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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As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can confirm what Jacob said is spot on! I also only received SDI for maternity leave and was so confused about the tax implications. No 1099G will come because SDI isn't federally taxable, but you definitely need to report it on your California state return. One tip that saved me time - when you log into your EDD account, look for the "View Payment History" or "Claim Summary" section. It'll show all your payments with dates and amounts. I just added them all up and used that total for my CA state taxes. Super straightforward once you know where to look! Don't stress about the federal return - you're totally fine there. Just focus on getting that CA state portion right and you'll be all set. Congrats on your little one! 🍼
Thank you so much Keisha! This whole thread has been such a lifesaver. I was literally losing sleep over this tax stuff, but now I feel like I actually understand what I need to do. I found my payment history in the EDD account and you're right - it's all laid out clearly there. Just need to add up those DI payments for my CA state return and I'm good to go. It's so reassuring to hear from other moms who went through the same confusion. Thanks for the congrats too - being a new mom is overwhelming enough without tax stress on top of it! 💕
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I received SDI benefits for about 4 months last year (April-July) for my maternity leave and have been so confused about the tax implications. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that SDI wasn't federally taxable but still needed to be reported on CA state taxes. I just logged into my EDD account and found my payment history like everyone suggested. It's all there under "DI" payments, so I can easily add up the total for my California state return. Such a relief to know I don't need to wait for a 1099G that's never coming! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially Jacob and Keisha for the clear explanations. This thread should be pinned for all the confused new moms dealing with this for the first time! 🙏
I'm so glad this thread helped you too Sophia! It's crazy how many of us new moms are dealing with this same confusion. I was in the exact same boat - had no clue about any of this tax stuff and was panicking about missing forms. But everyone here really broke it down perfectly. It's such a relief to know we're not alone in being totally lost about all these benefits and tax rules. Hope your filing goes smoothly! Being a new parent is hard enough without adding tax stress to the mix 😅
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I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Going through this while navigating bureaucracy is incredibly difficult. Just wanted to add that when you submit your PFL application, make sure to clearly document the caregiving activities you're providing for your husband - things like helping him manage daily tasks he's struggling with due to his condition, accompanying him to medical appointments, and providing emotional support during the estate settlement process. EDD sometimes asks for specifics about what "care" looks like. Also, since you mentioned multiple trips to the UK, you might want to include a brief note explaining that the caregiving includes helping him handle his mother's affairs overseas, as this directly relates to his diagnosed condition. The international aspect shouldn't disqualify you as long as you're actively providing care. Wishing you and your family strength during this difficult time. The fact that his doctor was understanding and provided the proper diagnosis is a huge step forward.
This is really excellent advice about documenting the specific caregiving activities! I hadn't thought about how to clearly explain what "care" looks like in this situation, but you're absolutely right that EDD might want those details. The point about the international travel being part of the caregiving is especially helpful - I was worried that might complicate things, but framing it as helping him handle his mother's affairs as part of managing his diagnosed condition makes total sense. Thank you for taking the time to share these specifics. It's reassuring to know there are people in this community who understand the nuances of these situations. @8b55e46058ca I hope this additional guidance helps with your application!
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I've been dealing with similar issues with government websites lately. One thing that helped me beyond the browser switching (which is great advice!) was making sure JavaScript was fully enabled and temporarily disabling any VPN if you're using one. Also, try filling out the form in sections and saving your progress frequently if the site allows it - sometimes these systems time out if you take too long on a single page. If you're still stuck, document everything with screenshots and the exact time/date of errors - this info can be really helpful when you call their support line. Hang in there, you'll get through this! 💪
This is such helpful advice! I never thought about the VPN thing - I've been using one and that could definitely be causing issues. The tip about documenting everything with screenshots is smart too. I'm going to try disabling my VPN and switching browsers first, then if that doesn't work I'll have all the error details ready when I call. Thanks for taking the time to share all these troubleshooting tips! 🙌
I just went through this nightmare last week! The EDD PFL system is so buggy. Here's what finally worked for me: 1) Use Firefox or Edge instead of Chrome, 2) Turn off ALL browser extensions temporarily, 3) Make sure you're on a stable internet connection (not public wifi), and 4) Fill out the application in one sitting without leaving the page idle. I also found that submitting between 6-8 AM worked better than during peak hours. If you're still getting errors, take screenshots and call the PFL phone line at (877) 238-4373. Yes, you'll be on hold forever, but they can sometimes push your application through manually or tell you exactly what's wrong. Don't give up - I know how stressful this is when you need the benefits! 🤞
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I've been struggling with this for days and getting so frustrated. I was using Chrome with a bunch of extensions running, so that's probably part of the problem. The timing tip about submitting early morning is something I hadn't considered either - makes total sense that the system would be less overloaded then. I'm going to try your exact steps tomorrow morning and hopefully finally get this application through. Really appreciate you sharing what worked for you! 🙏
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Hey there! Dad of twins here who went through this exact process in late 2024. Yes, fathers absolutely qualify for California PFL for baby bonding - it's one of the best kept secrets that more dads need to know about! A few practical tips from my experience: - You can actually start the PFL application process online before the baby arrives by creating your EDD account and reviewing the DE2508 form requirements - The 8 weeks don't have to be consecutive - I took 4 weeks immediately after birth, then saved the remaining 4 weeks for when my wife went back to work at 3 months - EDD's phone system is brutal, but their online portal actually works pretty well once you get familiar with it - Make sure your employer knows this is STATE law, not company policy - they can't negotiate away your rights One thing I wish someone had told me: California PFL is funded through employee payroll deductions (SDI), so you've literally been paying for this benefit with every paycheck. Don't feel guilty about using something you've already paid into! The bonding time was incredible and honestly made me a better dad. Your boss's attitude will change once they see you come back refreshed and ready to work. Stand your ground - this is about your family!
@Katherine Ziminski This is exactly what I needed to hear! The point about already paying for this through SDI deductions is so important - I never thought about it that way but you re'absolutely right. I ve'been contributing to this system for years, so there s'no reason to feel guilty about using the benefits when I need them. The idea of splitting the 8 weeks is really smart too. Taking 4 weeks right after birth and then saving the other 4 for when your wife goes back to work sounds like it would give your family the maximum coverage. Did you have any issues with your employer when you took the second portion of leave later on? Also appreciate the reminder that this is STATE law, not company policy. I think my boss doesn t'fully understand that this isn t'something they can just decide to deny based on business "needs. Going" to make sure I emphasize that when I have the official conversation with HR. Thanks for the encouragement about standing my ground - it s'really helpful to hear from other dads who ve'successfully navigated this process!
Just wanted to jump in as another dad who successfully navigated this process! My son was born in October 2024 and I took the full 8 weeks of PFL for bonding. A few things that really helped me: 1. **Documentation is key** - I kept a folder with all my paperwork (birth certificate copies, EDD correspondence, HR forms) and it saved me when there was a small hiccup with my claim. 2. **The "waiting week"** - Something I don't think anyone mentioned yet is that there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so factor that into your financial planning along with the processing delays others mentioned. 3. **Your employer's attitude will likely improve** - My boss was also making passive-aggressive comments before my leave, but once I actually took the time and came back refreshed and focused, the whole dynamic changed. They realized the world didn't end because I was gone for 8 weeks. 4. **Use your state representative if needed** - If EDD gives you major runaround, don't hesitate to contact your state assembly member's office. They have constituent services that can help cut through bureaucratic delays. The bonding time was absolutely life-changing. Those early weeks are so precious and you can never get them back. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for taking what's legally yours. You've earned this benefit through your payroll contributions, and your baby deserves to have their dad present during those crucial early weeks. Congrats on the upcoming arrival! March babies are the best 😊
Yara Haddad
I'm new to this community and currently going through my first PFL claim experience. Mine has been showing "processed" for about a week now and I'm using Money Network too. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like the 7-10 business day timeline is pretty standard. I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong with my claim! Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips. It's so helpful to know I'm not alone in this waiting game. Fingers crossed we all see our payments soon! 🤞
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Lola Perez
•Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and just started my first PFL claim journey. It's such a relief to find this thread - I was getting really anxious about the timing too. My claim has been "processed" for about 6 days now and I keep obsessively checking my Money Network account. It's so reassuring to hear from everyone that we're still well within the normal timeframe. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, especially when you're counting on that money for important things. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know we're all in this together! 🙏
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Miguel Hernández
•Welcome to the community! I'm also pretty new here and just went through my first PFL claim a few months ago. The waiting period is definitely nerve-wracking, especially when you really need the money. From my experience, that 7-10 business day window is pretty accurate - mine took exactly 8 business days from "processed" to showing up in my Money Network account. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through Money Network so I got notified the moment the deposit hit. Also, try not to check too obsessively (easier said than done, I know!). The good news is that once it shows "processed," it's basically guaranteed to come through. Hang in there! 💪
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Zainab Ibrahim
I'm also new to this community and going through my first PFL claim! Mine just changed to "processed" yesterday, so I'm right at the beginning of this waiting period. Reading everyone's experiences here is so helpful - I had no idea what to expect with the timeline. It's reassuring to know that 7-10 business days is normal and that Money Network is usually pretty quick once it changes to "paid." I was starting to worry that something was wrong since I didn't see the money immediately. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and tips! This community seems really supportive. I'll try to be patient and not check my account every hour (though let's be honest, I probably still will 😅). Will definitely look into setting up those text alerts that Miguel mentioned!
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