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I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation - having a new baby is challenging enough without the added stress of job loss! Based on all the incredibly helpful advice shared in this thread, it sounds like you have a solid plan for transitioning to unemployment benefits after your PFL ends. I went through a similar situation a couple years ago and wanted to add that when you do apply for unemployment, make sure to keep copies of all your PFL payment stubs/statements from EDD - they sometimes ask for these to verify the timeline between your disability benefits and unemployment application. Also, since you mentioned financial anxiety, you might want to look into your county's emergency rental assistance programs if you're worried about making mortgage payments during the transition. Many counties expanded these programs and some specifically help families with newborns. The community support and wealth of practical information shared here is absolutely incredible - you've received better guidance than most people get from official sources! Your proactive approach to understanding all your options is going to make such a difference in successfully navigating this challenging time.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this incredibly stressful situation - losing your job while caring for a newborn is one of the most challenging things anyone can face! This thread has become such an invaluable resource with so many people sharing their experiences and practical advice. As someone who works in benefits administration, I wanted to add a few technical points that might help: When you apply for unemployment, make sure to report your PFL end date as your "last day unable to work" rather than treating it as employment - this helps EDD understand you're transitioning from one state benefit to another, not leaving a job. Also, California has a specific provision that if you're terminated while on protected leave, you're automatically considered to have been terminated "through no fault of your own" which strengthens your unemployment claim. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also document any communications about your work schedule or job duties before you went on leave - if your employer claimed they "couldn't hold your part-time position" but you have evidence showing your schedule was regular/ongoing, that could be important for both your unemployment claim and any potential discrimination case. The timeline and documentation approach everyone has suggested is spot-on. You're being incredibly proactive by planning this out now rather than scrambling after your PFL ends. Based on everything shared here, you have multiple strong options for getting through this financially while you figure out your next steps. You've got this!
Hey Isabella! I went through this exact same thing a few months ago and I totally feel your stress. Here's what helped me figure out my payment timeline: If you log into your EDD account, look for a section called "Claim Status" or "Payment Information" - it should show you if your payments are "Issued," "Pending," or if there are any holds on your account. One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications through the EDD portal. They'll send you updates when your payment status changes, which saved me from obsessively checking the website every hour (guilty as charged lol). Also, if you're on Paid Family Leave specifically, payments usually come on the same day of the week that you first got approved, but it can take 2-3 business days to actually show up in your bank account after EDD says it's "issued." Don't lose hope - I know the waiting is absolutely brutal, but most people do get their payments eventually. The system is just super backed up. Keep checking your account and definitely try some of the other suggestions people posted here. You got this! πͺ
This is such great advice, thank you! I had no idea about the text notifications - I'm definitely going to set those up right away. The part about payments coming on the same day of the week is really helpful too, I'll keep track of that pattern. It's reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the same thing and came out the other side. The waiting really is brutal but knowing it worked out for you gives me hope! π
I'm dealing with the same situation right now and it's so stressful! I've been checking my EDD account multiple times a day but the status hasn't changed in over a week. Reading through all these responses is actually making me feel a lot better - it's good to know I'm not the only one going through this waiting game. I'm definitely going to try checking early morning like some people suggested, and I think I'll look into setting up those text notifications too. Has anyone had luck with calling the EDD customer service line lately, or is it still basically impossible to get through? Thanks for posting this question Isabella, even though it sucks that we're all in the same boat, it helps to know we're not alone! π
I'm in the exact same boat as you and Isabella! Been checking obsessively too and it's driving me crazy. From what I've been reading here, it sounds like the phone lines are still pretty brutal - some people are waiting hours on hold. That paid calling service someone mentioned earlier might be worth it if you're really desperate, but I'm gonna try the early morning checking and text notifications first. We'll get through this! At least we have this community to vent and share tips π
I'm currently going through the exact same situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! My wife was approved for PFL in January, received 3 payments, then got hit with a denial letter last week saying she didn't meet eligibility requirements. We filed our appeal immediately but I've been panicking about the timeline. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially @Luis Johnson's success story - gives me so much hope that we can get through this. The consistency in the 6-8 week timeline for hearing dates is actually reassuring, even though it feels like forever when you're living it. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that @Tyrone Johnson recommended since calling EDD has been absolutely impossible. Also planning to request our complete claim file like @Oliver Schulz suggested - that's such a smart move to see exactly what documentation they have. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. It's amazing how this community is helping each other navigate this broken system. Will keep everyone updated on our progress, and hoping all of you still waiting get positive outcomes soon!
I'm so sorry you and your wife are going through this too! It's unfortunately becoming way too common from what I'm seeing in this community. The fact that she received 3 payments before the denial actually gives me hope for your case - it shows EDD initially determined she was eligible, so this is likely a paperwork or verification issue rather than a fundamental problem with her qualification. Definitely try that Claimyr service - I've seen multiple people here say it's the only way they were able to actually reach a human at EDD. The complete claim file request is brilliant too - it could reveal exactly what triggered the reversal. One thing I've learned from reading everyone's experiences is that these initial approvals followed by denials seem to happen A LOT, which suggests this is more about EDD's internal processes being messy rather than people not actually qualifying. Stay strong and keep fighting - from what I'm seeing here, persistence really does pay off with these appeals. Fingers crossed for both of our families! π€
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who works in family law and has seen many clients go through PFL appeals, I can tell you that unfortunately your experience is becoming all too common. The fact that your husband was initially approved and received payments is actually a strong indicator that he does qualify - these reversals are often due to administrative errors or delayed employer verification issues rather than actual eligibility problems. A few things that might help while you wait: 1. Document everything - it sounds like you're already doing this, but keep copies of all correspondence, payment stubs, and screenshots of your online account showing the initial approval status 2. Consider contacting your state assembly member's office - they often have dedicated staff who can help expedite EDD issues and get you answers faster than calling the main line 3. If possible, gather any additional documentation that supports the claim (employment verification, birth certificates, medical records) even if you already submitted them - having duplicates ready for the hearing is crucial The 6-8 week timeline others have mentioned is unfortunately accurate based on what I've seen with clients. The system is absolutely overwhelmed and broken, but don't lose hope. Many people do win these appeals, especially when they were initially approved like your husband was. Hang in there - caring for newborn twins while dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare is beyond stressful, but you're doing everything right by appealing and seeking support here.
Thank you so much for this professional insight! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who works in family law and has seen these cases firsthand. The tip about contacting our state assembly member's office is brilliant - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense that they'd have staff dedicated to helping with EDD issues. We've definitely been documenting everything obsessively since this whole mess started. I think we have enough paperwork to fill a small filing cabinet at this point! Your point about gathering additional documentation even if we already submitted it is really smart - better to be over-prepared for the hearing than scrambling to find something at the last minute. It's both comforting and infuriating to know this is happening to so many people. The system really is broken when families caring for newborns have to fight this hard just to get benefits they were already approved for. Thank you for the encouragement and practical advice - it really helps to hear from someone with professional experience that we're on the right track!
I've been lurking here for a while dealing with my own EDD nightmare, and this thread is so relatable it hurts! π The E324 error is the bane of my existence right now. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, incognito mode, you name it. What finally worked for me (temporarily) was using a different device entirely. Apparently my laptop was somehow "flagged" in their system? Makes no sense but that's EDD for you. Also, pro tip: screenshot EVERYTHING during your application process. Trust me on this one. The number of times I've had to prove I submitted something correctly... Good luck OP, we're all suffering together! πͺ
Wow, your laptop being "flagged" is such a bizarre EDD thing! π€¦ββοΈ I never would have thought to try a different device. The screenshot tip is gold too - I learned that lesson the hard way when they claimed I never submitted certain documents. It's crazy that we have to treat applying for benefits like we're gathering evidence for court! Thanks for sharing your experience, it's oddly comforting to know we're all in this together.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! The E324 error is so frustrating. I've been trying for three days straight and getting nowhere. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful - I didn't know about trying different devices or the identity verification issues. I'm definitely going to try clearing my cache and using incognito mode first. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to brave the phone lines. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to access benefits we've paid into. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips! π
I'm so sorry you're going through this too! The E324 error really is the worst. I just joined this community after dealing with my own EDD headaches for weeks. One thing that helped me was double-checking that my browser wasn't auto-filling any forms with outdated info - sometimes those saved addresses or old phone numbers can trigger errors. Also, if you do end up calling, I found it helpful to have a notepad ready to write down everything they tell you, including case numbers or reference numbers they might give you. The whole system is so broken, but at least we have each other for support! Keep us posted on how it goes! πͺ
Hang in there! I just went through this exact same nightmare last month and it's so frustrating. One thing that worked for me that I haven't seen mentioned yet - try logging out completely, restarting your browser, and then logging back in fresh. Sometimes the session gets corrupted somehow. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere (like ad blockers or password managers) during the application process. The auto-fill tip from @Sebastian Scott is spot on too - I had an old zip code saved that was causing issues. Don't give up, you'll get through this! π€
ElectricDreamer
Whatever you do, don't give up! Keep calling, keep trying. It took me weeks to sort out a similar issue, but I finally got it resolved. You got this! πͺ
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Aisha Rahman
β’Thanks for the encouragement! It's easy to feel defeated by the bureaucracy, but I'll keep at it.
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CosmicCadet
I just went through this exact same situation last month! Here's what worked for me: I sent an email to the EDD document review team with my case number in the subject line. They responded within 3 business days with instructions on how to submit the missing docs through a secure portal. Way easier than calling and waiting on hold forever. The email address is on their website under "Contact Us" - look for "Document Submission Issues." Hope this helps!
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Anna Stewart
β’@079b1bdd5371 Yes! I included my full name, case number, date of original submission, and a brief description of what documents I needed to add. Keep it short and professional. They responded pretty quickly once I had all that info in there. Also attached a list of the specific documents I was planning to upload so they knew what to expect.
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Danielle Mays
β’This is a game changer! I had no idea they had an email option for document submissions. I've been psyching myself up to spend half my day on hold, but this sounds so much more manageable. @079b1bdd5371 thank you for sharing this - you just saved me (and probably a lot of other people) hours of frustration! π
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