Update: I just applied online through my SDI account! It was actually pretty straightforward. There was a button that said "File a PFL Claim" right on the main page after logging in. The whole process took about 15 minutes. I made sure to set my PFL start date as the day after my disability ends. Now I'm just waiting for approval. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll update again when I hear back about approval.

Congratulations on successfully filing your PFL claim online! That's awesome that you got it done so quickly. Just a heads up - keep checking your SDI account regularly over the next week or so to see when your claim status updates. In my experience, once it shows "approved" online, your first payment usually comes within 2-3 business days after that. Also, if for some reason you don't see any updates after 10 days, don't panic! Sometimes there can be small delays if they need to verify information with your employer or if there's a high volume of claims being processed. But based on what others have shared here, it sounds like most baby bonding transitions go pretty smoothly. Enjoy your bonding time with your little girl! 💕

As someone who just went through this transition 3 months ago, I want to emphasize how important it is to stay organized during this process! I created a simple folder (both physical and digital) with all my EDD documents, doctor's notes, and important dates. This saved me so much stress when I had questions or needed to reference something quickly. Also, don't hesitate to ask your doctor's office to help clarify the timeline - they deal with these disability certifications all the time and can often give you a clearer picture of when your post-birth recovery period will end. My OB's office was actually more helpful than EDD in explaining the process! One last thing - if you're planning to take the full 8 weeks of baby bonding PFL, make sure your employer knows the timeline so they can plan accordingly. Good luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

One thing I wish someone had told me when I went through this - if you're planning to breastfeed, make sure you understand how pumping breaks work with your PFL timeline! I assumed I could just figure it out later, but it actually affects your return-to-work planning. California law requires employers to provide reasonable break time for pumping, but coordinating that with the end of your 8-week PFL baby bonding period takes some advance planning. I ended up having to have awkward conversations with HR about pumping accommodations literally days before returning to work because I hadn't thought about it during my PFL. Just something to add to your organization folder if it applies to your situation! The whole transition is stressful enough without last-minute surprises about workplace logistics.

I'm currently in this exact situation and just wanted to add my experience! I work full-time at a dental office and also do IHSS care for my elderly neighbor (about 10 hours/week). After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I called EDD yesterday and the rep confirmed everything everyone has shared here. She told me that dual employer situations with IHSS are super common and that I absolutely MUST list both jobs on the DE2501 form. The key is being crystal clear about which position I'm taking leave from. I'm going to write "CONTINUING IHSS CARE - NOT REQUESTING LEAVE" for the neighbor's care and put my actual last work date for the dental office. What really put my mind at ease was when she explained that my benefit will be calculated based on the proportion of wages I'm losing. Since my dental office job is about 85% of my total income, I'll receive roughly 85% of my calculated weekly benefit amount. This thread has been absolutely amazing - way more helpful than anything on the EDD website! Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences. It's made navigating this process so much less stressful knowing that transparency and clear documentation is all that's needed.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! I work full-time at a physical therapy clinic and also do IHSS care for my grandmother (about 14 hours/week). I was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out the DE2501 form until I found this discussion. What's really helped me understand from everyone's experiences is that EDD needs to see ALL your employment to calculate benefits properly - it's not about hiding anything, it's about giving them the complete picture. I'm going to list both my PT clinic job and IHSS position, but add a note like "CONTINUING IHSS CARE - NO MATERNITY LEAVE REQUESTED" to make it super clear which job I'm taking leave from. The most reassuring thing from reading all these responses is knowing that EDD deals with IHSS + full-time job combinations constantly. As long as I'm transparent about everything and honest during the bi-weekly certifications, it should all work out fine. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences here - you've made this whole process feel so much less intimidating! The EDD website is absolutely terrible for explaining these scenarios, but this community has been incredible.

I'm so sorry you're going through this financial stress - it's absolutely exhausting waiting for EDD payments when bills are piling up! I went through almost the exact same timeline last year. Filed in early January, got my DE 429D notice in late February, and then received payment 7 business days later via direct deposit. The computation notice is definitely a great sign that you're in the home stretch! While you're waiting those final days, I'd recommend calling EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (much better success rate) and try the "2-1-1" method others mentioned. Also set up text alerts from your bank so you'll know immediately when the deposit hits. Since your savings are drained, definitely look into local emergency assistance programs - call 211 to find resources in your area for emergency rent/utility help while you wait. And don't forget to file your PFL claim (DE 2501FP) about 1-2 weeks before your disability ends to avoid a payment gap. Based on everyone's experiences here, you should see that lump sum payment covering all those weeks very soon - probably within the next week! The waiting is brutal but you're so close to the finish line. Hang in there! 💪

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and your post really resonates with me! I filed my maternity disability claim in early February and just got my DE 429D notice a few days ago. The financial anxiety has been overwhelming - I've been living off credit cards and help from my parents while waiting for any sign of progress. Reading through all these responses is giving me so much hope though! It sounds like most people are getting paid within 5-10 business days after receiving that computation notice, which means we should both see relief very soon. I've been following the advice here about setting up bank text alerts and trying to call at exactly 8:05 AM when EDD opens. The fact that there's no clear timeline information anywhere on EDD's website is so frustrating - this community thread has been more helpful than anything official I could find! Based on everyone's experiences, it really does seem like the DE 429D notice is the signal that we're finally in the home stretch. Hang in there! From what everyone is saying, that lump sum covering all those weeks should hit your account any day now. We've survived the worst part of the waiting game! 🤞

I'm dealing with the exact same issues! My name is 18 characters long and I've been getting that E324 error for over three weeks now. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I had no idea there was such a comprehensive playbook of solutions that everyone has developed together. Based on all the amazing advice here, I'm going to follow the proven strategy: start with the online contact form for a name variance, then use Firefox private browsing during the 6-7 AM window, implement the 10-15 minute cooldown between attempts, and keep the assembly member escalation as my backup plan if things move too slowly. It's honestly mind-blowing that in 2024 we have to become EDD system experts just to file basic unemployment claims, but this community has turned what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a manageable step-by-step process. @Natasha Volkova, hang in there - with all these battle-tested strategies from people who've actually succeeded, you're definitely going to break through this eventually! We're all in this together and the collective wisdom here is truly amazing.

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare! My name is 16 characters and I've been hitting that E324 error for about 10 days now. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea there were so many people facing the same issue and that there are actually proven solutions. Based on everyone's shared experiences, I'm going to try the comprehensive approach: submit the online contact form for a name variance first, then use Firefox in private browsing mode during those early 6-7 AM hours when the servers are less overloaded, and make sure to wait 10-15 minutes between attempts instead of frantically retrying right away. It's absolutely insane that we need to become system experts just to file basic unemployment claims in 2024, but this community has basically crowdsourced a complete solution guide through everyone's trial and error. @Natasha Volkova, don't lose hope - with all these battle-tested strategies from people who've actually gotten through the system, you're definitely going to succeed! The fact that people with even longer names have figured out workarounds shows that persistence with the right approach really does pay off.