Pro tip: if you cant get through on the main line, try calling right when they open. I usually have better luck then. Also, Wednesdays seem to be less busy for some reason 🤷‍♂️

Thanks for asking this question! I'm actually in a similar situation where I might need to return earlier than expected. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful. It sounds like the key takeaway is to contact EDD ASAP and document everything. I'm definitely going to try the online portal first like @Natalia Stone mentioned, but good to know about the calling service as a backup option if I can't get through. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this community is so helpful! 🙏

Yes, you certify the same way through SDI Online. And your weekly benefit amount will be exactly the same as your disability payments - it's calculated using the same formula (approximately 60-70% of your wages).

This is such helpful info! I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first and already stressing about navigating all these claims. Bookmarking this thread for when I need it. Question - if I'm planning to take the full 8 weeks of PFL bonding time, do I need to specify that upfront in my application or can I decide later how much time to take?

Update: I FINALLY got through this morning! Used a combination of the tips here - called at 8:01am exactly, used the Spanish option trick, and kept redialing after getting the busy message. Got through on my 12th try and spoke to a very helpful rep who found the issue. Apparently there was a mismatch between my baby's birthdate on two different forms which triggered a manual review. She fixed it right away and said my claim should be processed within 48 hours! Thank you all for the helpful suggestions!

Wow, reading through all these experiences makes me realize I'm not alone in this struggle! I've been trying to reach EDD about my PFL claim for my newborn for over a week now. My claim has been stuck in "pending" status for almost 3 weeks and I'm getting really worried about when I'll receive my first payment. The tips about calling at 8:01am sharp and using the Spanish option sound promising - definitely going to try those tomorrow. It's honestly ridiculous that new parents have to become expert phone warriors just to get the benefits we're entitled to. Has anyone had success with the callback feature on the EDD website, or is that just as useless as everything else? Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies - it gives me hope that I'll eventually get through!

Good luck! Hope your recovery goes smoothly. Don't forget to certify for benefits every two weeks once your claim is approved - EDD won't automatically send the payments without certification.

Just wanted to add another tip - if you're submitting everything online through SDI Online, take screenshots of every page showing your submission was successful. I had an issue where EDD claimed they never received my doctor's portion even though it showed as submitted on my end. Having those screenshots helped resolve it quickly when I finally got through to someone. Also, check your EDD account daily for any requests for additional information - they don't always send email notifications and missing their requests can delay your claim processing.

I feel your pain!!! We just went through this with my wife's claim. She had pregnancy disability then tried to transition to baby bonding. Took FOREVER and we nearly drained our savings waiting. The ONLY thing that worked was having my wife's mother (who works for the county) contact someone she knows at EDD directly. Regular people like us just get ignored. The system is totally rigged against normal families.

This is absolutely unacceptable! I'm dealing with something similar - submitted my baby bonding claim by mail 6 weeks ago and have heard nothing. What's really frustrating is that EDD doesn't even have a proper tracking system for mailed applications. You send important documents into a black hole and just have to hope for the best. I've started keeping a detailed log of every attempt to contact them because at this point I'm wondering if I'll need to file a complaint with the state. The fact that people are waiting 2+ months for basic communication about claims that should be processed within weeks is ridiculous. Has anyone had success reaching out to the governor's office or filing complaints with other state agencies? This system is failing California families when we need support the most.