
California Paid Family Leave
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Our baby was born in October, and my husband hasn't taken any leave yet, but wants to do so now (his work was too busy before). I'm confused about the order of benefits he should apply for. Does he file for State Disability Insurance (SDI) first for 6 weeks and then switch to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for the 8 weeks after? Or since the birth was a few months ago, does he just apply for PFL directly? His employer says he qualifies for both, but we're not sure how to navigate this. Any help would be SO appreciated!
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with an E311 verification failure on my EDD account. The system says the info I provided doesn't match their records. Has anyone else dealt with this? What should I do to fix it? I've tried calling but can't get through to a real person. Any advice would be appreciated!
PSA: Be careful about sharing too much personal info when trying to troubleshoot these issues online. Scammers are always looking for ways to steal identities. Stay safe out there, folks! ๐
I had a similar E311 error a few months ago and it turned out to be a mismatch with my address. Even though I had moved and updated my address with EDD online, their verification system was still using my old address from when I first filed. I had to call (took forever to get through) and specifically ask them to update the address in their verification database, not just my profile. Might be worth checking if you've moved recently or if there's any address discrepancy between what you're entering and what they have on file from previous claims or employers.
Has anyone else been struggling to get information about their benefits? I've been trying to reach someone on the phone for days now, but it's impossible to get through. The automated system is useless and I really need to speak with a real person. Any tips on how to actually talk to someone?
Anyone else feel like we're living in a dystopian novel? "The year is 2023, and citizens must battle a labyrinthine phone system for basic survival." ๐คก
I've been dealing with the same nightmare for over a month now. Here's what's worked for me so far: I started calling at 7:58 AM sharp (2 minutes before they officially open) and spam-dialing the number until I get through to the menu. Once I'm in, I select the options quickly and then just... wait. And wait. And wait. The longest I've been on hold was 4.5 hours, but I did eventually get through. I know it sounds insane, but I just put my phone on speaker, plugged it in to charge, and did other things while waiting. Also, make sure you have ALL your documents ready before you call - ID, Social Security card, any correspondence from EDD, your claim details, etc. When you finally get a human, you want to make the most of that precious time. Don't give up, everyone. The system is broken, but persistence does pay off sometimes.
I'm seriously about to lose my mind dealing with EDD! I submitted a PFL claim over a month ago to care for my wife who was having pregnancy complications (severe preeclampsia, doctor-ordered bedrest). Today, I finally got a call from EDD saying I don't qualify for caregiving benefits in this situation and that I should have applied for baby bonding instead. Here's where it gets REALLY frustrating - our daughter was born on April 15th, and the EDD rep said if I submit for baby bonding now, I'll automatically be disqualified because it's beyond the 41-day filing window!? So basically I wasted a month waiting for them to process the wrong claim type, and now I'm screwed out of ANY benefits? I have all the medical documentation from her OB about the complications. I have the birth certificate. I took this time off work legitimately to care for my family. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Can I appeal this or submit some kind of special circumstances form? I'm ready to fill out new paperwork today but don't want to waste more time if I'm just going to get denied again.
I'm dealing with something kinda similar... my baby was born 3 months ago and I just found out I could've been getting paid this whole time lol. I thought PFL was only for mothers not fathers! Nobody at my job told me I could apply. I sent in my application last week but now I'm worried about this 41 day thing too! Will let you know what happens with mine!
I work as a benefits coordinator and see these EDD mix-ups constantly. Here's what you need to do IMMEDIATELY: 1. File a new DE2508 for Baby Bonding PFL today, even though you're past 41 days 2. Include Form DE2501F (Late Filing form) explaining the situation 3. Write a detailed letter stating you filed within the window but for the wrong benefit type due to unclear guidance 4. Include ALL documentation from your original claim to show you were actively pursuing benefits The key point everyone's missing: EDD has an internal policy that if YOU made a good faith effort to file correctly within the timeframe but were misdirected by their system/representatives, they can waive the late filing penalty. This is called "good cause" and it applies to your exact situation. Also, make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it. EDD has a habit of "losing" paperwork. One more thing - if the new claim gets denied, immediately request an appeal hearing. The appeals judges are much more reasonable than the initial claims processors and actually listen to the circumstances. Don't give up! You paid into this system and deserve these benefits.
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with my SDI application. They said they couldn't reach my company when they mailed the information request last time. I want to provide supplemental pay info over the phone to make sure my application is processed correctly. Also, I'm not sure if they need info from my doctor. Has anyone dealt with this before? Any advice on how to get through to them?
Quick question - did you check if your claim is flagged for any reason? Sometimes that can cause delays and extra info requests.
I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! My employer wasn't responding to SDI's requests either. What worked for me was gathering all my own documentation - recent paystubs, employment verification letter, and my doctor's forms - then calling SDI directly to provide everything over the phone. I called right at 8 AM when they opened and got through after about a 45-minute wait. The rep was actually really helpful once I got connected and was able to expedite my claim once they had all the info. Definitely bring up the employer communication issue when you call - they have alternative processes for this exact scenario. Good luck!
Zainab Ibrahim
Just wanted to add one more tip that helped us - when your husband applies online, make sure he creates an account and saves his login info! The SDI Online portal can be glitchy sometimes and if he gets logged out during the application, he'll need to sign back in to finish it. Also, after he submits, he can track the status of his claim through the same portal. My husband checked it obsessively the first few days lol but it was nice to see the progress updates instead of wondering what was happening with his claim.
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David Valencia
Hey guys, what if my work does not contribute into SDI, can I still, as a husband, apply for PFL once my baby is born?
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