Based on everyone's responses here, it sounds like the key is definitely timing - file your claim while you're still employed! I'm in a similar boat as the OP and was worried about losing out on benefits. @Juan Moreno your experience is really reassuring. Just to clarify though - when you filed while still employed, did you have to specify an exact start date for your bonding leave? Or were you able to leave that flexible since you can take it intermittently throughout the year?

This thread has been super helpful! I'm also planning to transition out of my current job after my baby arrives, and I was worried I'd miss out on PFL benefits. The consensus seems clear - file your claim while still employed, even if you're planning to leave soon after. One thing I'd add based on my research: make sure you've been paying into SDI (State Disability Insurance) through your paycheck deductions. That's what funds the PFL program. You can check your paystubs to see if SDI is being deducted - it should show up as a small percentage of your wages. Also, for anyone still struggling to get through to EDD on the phone, I've had luck calling right when they open at 8am. The wait times are usually shorter first thing in the morning. Good luck to everyone navigating this system!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Started my PFL claim last week and realized I put the wrong start date that's overlapping with my disability benefits. It's so frustrating because you know it's probably a 2-minute fix on their end but getting to talk to an actual human feels impossible. I've been calling the main number for days and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Reading through all these comments is giving me hope though - definitely going to try that PFL-specific number (1-877-238-4373) tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked! This community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD's broken system.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still struggling with this - I had the exact same overlapping dates issue between PFL and disability claims last month. After reading all the great advice here, I called the PFL-specific number (1-877-238-4373) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday and got through after about 40 minutes on hold. The rep was incredibly helpful and fixed my start date in under 5 minutes once I had my confirmation numbers ready. One thing I didn't see mentioned - they also sent me an email confirmation with a case reference number after making the change, so definitely ask for that! The correction showed up in my online account within 24 hours. Also, pro tip: when you're on hold, don't hang up even if it seems like forever - I was tempted to hang up at the 35-minute mark but I'm so glad I stuck it out. This thread gave me the motivation to keep trying, so thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! 🙏

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I just moved last month and have been stressing about the same address discrepancy issue. My physical license still has my old address but I updated everything online with DMV. Reading through everyone's experiences here has really put my mind at ease - it sounds like the EDD system is much more straightforward than I was imagining. The consistent advice seems to be: use your current address on all EDD forms, make sure your employer has your updated address, and focus on getting the medical certification done properly since that's where most delays actually happen. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - it's so helpful to hear from people who've actually been through this process successfully! This community is such a great resource for navigating all the confusing aspects of maternity leave benefits.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! I moved during my second trimester and was so worried about the address mismatch between my physical license and current residence. Turns out it was completely unnecessary stress - the EDD system doesn't even cross-reference your DMV records. I filed my SDI claim using my current address on the DE2501 form, and everything processed smoothly. The rep I spoke with said they see this constantly since people move frequently but physical licenses can take 4-6 weeks to arrive. My biggest recommendation is to save your mental energy for making sure your medical certification is completed accurately by your doctor - that's honestly where most people run into delays, not address issues. Also, double-check that your employer's HR department has your updated address since they'll be submitting paperwork on your behalf. Don't let this worry keep you up at night - you've got enough to think about with a baby on the way!

have you tried going to your local office in person? sometimes face-to-face is the only way to get things done with these bureaucrats 🙄

I went through something similar last year and it was incredibly frustrating. Here's what finally worked for me: I gathered all my pay stubs and tax documents, calculated exactly what my weekly benefit should be based on CA's formula (it's your highest quarter earnings divided by 26, up to the max), and then wrote a clear, concise letter explaining the discrepancy. I sent everything via certified mail AND faxed it on the same day. The key was being super specific about the dollar amounts and showing my math. It took about 6 weeks, but I eventually got the correction plus backpay for the difference. Don't give up - you're entitled to the correct amount! Also, try calling first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) when the hold times are usually shorter.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I literally just finished this process last month! I had the exact same concern about my employer's 40% wage supplement during bonding leave. After reading horror stories online about EDD overpayments, I was paranoid about doing something wrong. Here's what I learned: YES, you absolutely must report it, but it's not as scary as it sounds. I called EDD using the early morning strategy someone mentioned (8 AM sharp) and got through in about 15 minutes. The rep explained that employer supplements specifically designed for parental leave typically don't reduce your PFL benefits if they're classified correctly. My HR department provided a letter stating it was a "Paid Family Leave Integration Benefit" and when I submitted my DE2501F with that documentation, everything processed smoothly. I ended up getting my full PFL benefit PLUS the 40% supplement from my employer - basically 100%+ of my regular pay during leave, which was amazing! The key is transparency and documentation. Don't try to figure out whether it "counts" as income - just report it and let EDD make that determination. It sounds like you're already on the right track by meeting with HR to get proper documentation. One last tip: submit your claim online if possible rather than mailing it in. I got my first payment within 2 weeks of filing. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming arrival! 🍼

Hey Dmitry! I just went through this exact situation with my twins 4 months ago and had the same panic about the employer supplement! You definitely need to report that 30% on your PFL claim - it's required regardless of the classification. But here's the good news: if your employer properly classifies it as a parental leave supplement (sounds like they do), it won't reduce your PFL benefits at all! When I met with my HR team, they provided documentation showing it was classified as "Paid Family Leave Wage Integration" and I got both my full EDD benefit AND the employer supplement. Basically ended up with close to 100% of my normal pay during leave which was a lifesaver with two newborns! My advice: get that HR documentation in writing before you file, be super transparent on the DE2501F form about the supplement, and file online as soon as baby arrives. The whole process was way less scary than I expected once I had proper documentation. You're being so smart to plan ahead - most people figure this out after baby arrives and scramble! Your little one is lucky to have such a prepared parent. Best of luck! 👶✨