Hey Zara! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm currently 26 weeks and have been worrying about this exact same process, so finding this thread has been such a relief! Based on everyone's incredibly helpful advice here, I've started preparing what I'm calling my "EDD survival kit" - basically gathering all the key information and forms I'll need so I'm not scrambling later when I'm exhausted with a newborn. From reading all these experiences, the main things I'm noting are: - Report birth to EDD within the first week (everyone seems to have success calling within 3-7 days) - Baby bonding PFL requires a completely separate DE2508 application - NOT automatic! - Apply for PFL about 8-10 days before disability ends to avoid payment gaps - Use the online SDI portal whenever possible instead of calling - Prep your doctor's office about the EDD forms they'll need to complete It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this process! The consistency in everyone's advice about timing and using the online portal really gives me confidence. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - this thread has become like a complete roadmap for expectant moms dealing with EDD benefits. I feel so much more prepared now instead of anxious about potentially messing something up! 💕

Hey Zara! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm currently 34 weeks and have been researching this exact process too, so this thread has been incredibly valuable for me as well! One additional tip I learned from my cousin who went through this last summer - she suggests setting up text/email notifications in your EDD online account before delivery so you get alerts about any status changes or required actions. She said this was super helpful because when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn, it's easy to forget to check your account regularly. Also, I've been creating what I call my "EDD quick reference sheet" on my phone with all the key info from this thread: - Report birth within 1 week ✓ - Baby bonding PFL = separate DE2508 application (NOT automatic!) ✓ - Apply for PFL 8-10 days before disability ends ✓ - Use online SDI portal when possible ✓ - Alert doctor's office about EDD forms ahead of time ✓ The consistent advice from everyone here about timing and using the online portal has made me feel so much more confident about navigating this process. It's amazing how having real experiences from other moms takes away so much of the anxiety about potentially making mistakes with EDD. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - this community support is invaluable! 💕

I'm dealing with this exact same error right now too! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful and reassuring. I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong with my application, but it sounds like this system glitch is way more common than I realized. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow with all my documents organized. A few questions for those who've successfully gotten through: 1. Did anyone have luck with the alternate phone numbers mentioned, or is the main EDD line the best bet? 2. When they manually process it, do they send any confirmation that it's been submitted successfully? 3. For those who used services like Claimyr, was it worth the $20 or would you recommend just being patient with the regular calling process? Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and tips - this community is amazing for helping each other navigate this confusing system! Hopefully I'll have a success story to share soon 🤞

I'm actually going through this exact same issue right now! Just got the error message this morning when trying to submit my PFL claim online. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was starting to worry that I'd messed something up, but it sounds like this system glitch is super common. I'm planning to follow the advice here and call first thing tomorrow at 8am with all my documents ready. Based on what everyone's shared, I'm preparing: - My SSN and any confirmation numbers I got before the error - Complete employer details (name, address, employment dates) - My doctor's info since this is for medical leave - A written timeline of events so I don't forget anything important The timeline of 1-2 weeks for manual processing once you get through is really helpful to know for planning purposes. It's also encouraging to hear that this error doesn't actually mean there's a problem with the claim - just that their system needs a human to review it. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips! This community support makes navigating this confusing process so much less stressful. Fingers crossed I'll have a success story to share soon! 🤞

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! 🤞

I feel your frustration! I just went through this exact same nightmare two months ago. After trying everything everyone mentioned (different browsers, clearing cache, etc.), what finally worked for me was using my phone instead of my computer. Sounds weird, but apparently the mobile version of the EDD site sometimes works better than the desktop version. I used Safari on my iPhone and it went through on the first try after days of errors on my laptop. Also, make sure you're not copying and pasting any information - type everything manually. The system seems to get confused by copied text sometimes. If you're still stuck after trying mobile, you can also visit a local EDD office in person. I know it's a hassle, but they can help you submit the application directly. Don't lose hope - this system is terrible but you'll get through it eventually!

I'm going through this exact nightmare right now too! Been approved for over 2 weeks and still haven't seen a penny. What makes it even more stressful is that I had to take time off work for my mom's medical situation, so I'm already behind on everything financially. I've called probably 10 times and keep getting the same "your payment is processing" nonsense with no actual timeline. It's honestly insulting that they expect us to just wait indefinitely while dealing with family emergencies. I'm definitely going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning and look into that assembly member suggestion - never thought about going that route but it sounds like it might actually get results. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, it helps knowing I'm not going crazy and that there are actual strategies that work! Fingers crossed we all get our payments soon 🤞

This whole situation is absolutely maddening! I'm currently dealing with the same issue - got approved for PFL about 2.5 weeks ago but still no payment. What's really frustrating is that when you're already dealing with a family crisis, the last thing you need is to become a full-time advocate just to get money you're legally entitled to. I've been calling every few days but keep hitting that same wall of "it's processing" with zero actual information. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both comforting and terrifying - glad to know it's not just me, but wow, 5+ weeks for some people?! That's completely unacceptable. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy and look into contacting my assembly member's office. Thanks to everyone sharing their tips and experiences - it's clear we have to stick together and help each other navigate this broken system. Hoping everyone gets their payments soon! 🙏

This entire thread has been so educational! I'm currently 6 weeks postpartum and back at work, but my company just announced "organizational changes" coming in Q2. Reading through everyone's experiences here has made me realize I need to start preparing now in case layoffs hit my department. The key takeaway seems to be: file for PFL baby bonding BEFORE any layoff happens, even if you suspect it's coming. I had no idea about the employment requirement for PFL eligibility - I always thought it was just about having paid into SDI. Thank you @StarSailor for clarifying that you need to be employed OR actively job searching while on PFL. @Miguel - you definitely made the smart move filing when you did. The fact that you still have several months left in your 12-month window for baby bonding gives you such a good safety net. I'm going to start gathering all my documentation (birth certificate, pay stubs showing SDI contributions, etc.) just in case I need to file quickly. One question for the group - if you're still breastfeeding, does that impact your ability to meet the "available for work" requirement during PFL baby bonding? I know it's supposed to be bonding time but the availability requirement seems like it could create complications for nursing mothers.

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently 4 months postpartum and just heard rumors about potential layoffs at my company in the coming weeks. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me the roadmap I needed to protect my benefits. The consensus seems crystal clear: file for PFL baby bonding IMMEDIATELY while still employed, even if layoffs are just rumors at this point. I had no idea about the timing requirements or that you need to be employed when you apply. Like several others mentioned, I thought it was just about having paid into SDI during my employment. @Miguel - you handled this perfectly by filing when you did. The peace of mind of having that claim submitted and timestamped before any layoff drama must be huge. Really hoping your approval comes through quickly! One thing I'm wondering - for those who successfully got their baby bonding benefits approved, how long did it typically take from filing to receiving your first payment? I want to make sure I file with enough buffer time before any potential layoff, but I'm also trying to plan my finances if I do need to take that leave unexpectedly. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences so openly. This kind of real-world guidance is exactly what new parents need to navigate California's complex benefit system!