PSA: Always keep copies of EVERYTHING you send to EDD. You never know when you'll need to reference it later!

Thanks for posting this @Evelyn! I'm actually going through something similar right now. The template from @Benjamin is super helpful - I'm definitely going to use that format. One thing I'd add is make sure you have your pay stubs handy when you fill this out, especially for the gross sick leave amount. Sometimes what you think you remember and what's actually on paper can be different! Good luck with your claim 🤞

Quick question - does anyone know if there's a deadline for when EDD has to make these forms available? I'm wondering if I should be worried that I can't find mine yet.

LPT: Always save a copy of your 1099-G as soon as you get it. I learned this the hard way last year when I couldn't access the EDD website during tax season. Now I keep digital copies of all my tax docs in a secure cloud storage.

Pro tip: if you're not sure which option to choose, talk to your HR department! Mine was super helpful in explaining the pros and cons for my specific situation.

I'm currently going through this decision myself and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the options. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful though! @Steven Adams - I think you probably made the right choice if you had big upfront expenses. From what I'm seeing, most people who chose the lump sum seem happy with it as long as they were disciplined about budgeting. The incremental payments seem safer but less flexible. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - way more useful than the official website! 🙏

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! The rep said my application is processing normally but their system is backlogged. She said it could take up to 21 DAYS total for the transition from disability to PFL baby bonding. She also mentioned they're processing in the order received, and my payments will be retroactive to when my disability ended. So I guess I just keep waiting... 🙄 Thanks everyone for the advice and commiseration!

So glad you got through and got some clarity! The 21-day timeline is ridiculous but at least you know what to expect now. For anyone else reading this - definitely keep all your documentation and confirmation numbers during this transition period. I went through something similar last year and the retroactive payments did come through eventually, but the waiting period with no income is absolutely brutal. EDD really needs to fix this gap in coverage between disability and PFL - there's no reason families should have to go weeks without support during such an important time. Hang in there! 💪

Anybody know if theres a way to check your PFL status online? Feels like that would make all of this so much easier

Don't panic! I went through the same thing last month. The automatic payment notice basically means they're going to start sending you payments based on your claim, but you definitely want to make sure everything is correct first. Here's what worked for me: • Call them ASAP (early morning works best, like 8am) • Have your claim number ready • Ask them to walk through exactly what the automatic payments will cover • Make sure your bank info is correct if you're doing direct deposit • Ask if there's anything you need to report or update The key is being proactive about it. I caught an error in my claim amount by calling right away, which saved me from having to pay back an overpayment later. Better to spend 30 minutes on the phone now than deal with a mess later! You got this! 💪