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Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR and deals with these situations regularly. A few additional tips that might help: 1. When you tell your manager about taking baby bonding leave, frame it as a legally protected benefit you're entitled to, not a request. You've already filed the claim, so you're just giving notice. 2. If your company tries to accelerate your layoff because you're taking PFL, that could potentially be retaliation - document everything! 3. Make sure your health insurance situation is sorted out. If you're laid off during PFL, you'll likely need to elect COBRA coverage to maintain benefits during your leave period. 4. One thing people don't always realize - your PFL benefits are taxable income, so don't spend 100% of what you receive. Set aside about 20-25% for taxes. The fact that you acted quickly and filed while employed was absolutely the right move. I've seen too many people miss out on benefits because they waited until after termination. Hoping for a smooth approval process for you!
This is incredibly helpful advice from an HR perspective! The point about framing it as an entitlement rather than a request is so important - I was definitely thinking of it more as asking permission when really I've already qualified for the benefit. And wow, I had completely forgotten about the tax implications. Setting aside 20-25% is smart planning that I wouldn't have thought of. The COBRA point is also crucial since I'll need health coverage for both me and the baby if I do get laid off. Thank you for sharing these professional insights - it's exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference in navigating these situations successfully!
As someone who went through a similar layoff situation while navigating maternity benefits, I just want to emphasize how crucial the timing was in your case. You made the absolute right call filing immediately! One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your company offers any severance package when the layoffs happen, make sure to review it carefully. Some severance agreements have clauses about benefit usage that could potentially affect your PFL claim, though this is rare. Also, if they offer any extended health coverage as part of severance, that could help bridge the gap before COBRA kicks in. The emotional aspect of dealing with layoffs while you have a young baby is so hard. Try to remember that you've done everything right by being proactive and protecting your benefits. That baby bonding time will be precious regardless of the work situation, and having that financial cushion from PFL will give you breathing room to find the right next opportunity. Rooting for a quick approval on your claim!
Thank you so much Ruby! You're absolutely right about reviewing any severance package carefully - I hadn't even thought about potential clauses that could affect benefits. That's definitely something I'll watch out for when/if they present the severance terms. The extended health coverage tip is also really valuable since navigating insurance gaps with a baby is terrifying. I really appreciate the emotional support too. This whole situation has been so overwhelming, but everyone's advice here has made me feel much more prepared and confident. It's reassuring to know that other parents have successfully navigated similar challenges. The baby bonding time will definitely be precious regardless of what happens with work. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙏
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I'm in the exact same boat! Filed everything correctly weeks ago and it's like my application disappeared into a black hole. The worst part is not knowing if there's an issue or if it's just backed up. I've been calling every morning at 8am sharp when they open, but either get a busy signal or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Has anyone had luck with specific times of day for calling? I'm wondering if there are less busy periods. Also keeping a detailed log of all my attempts now - wish I had started that earlier!
I've been dealing with this nightmare too! What's worked for me is calling right after lunch around 1:30pm - seems like there might be fewer people calling then. Also, I found out you can sometimes get through faster if you call the disability insurance number first and ask them to transfer you to PFL - weird workaround but it's worked twice for me. The documentation thing is so important - I started taking screenshots of everything and writing down confirmation numbers even when they don't seem relevant. It's exhausting but we just have to keep pushing through this broken system!
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim about 3 weeks ago and it's been complete silence since then. The anxiety is real when you're counting on that money for bills. I've been trying the phone number every day with no luck - either busy signals or I get disconnected after waiting for hours. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful though - I had no idea about contacting assembly members or trying different times to call. I'm definitely going to try that 1:30pm calling time that @Fatima Al-Sayed mentioned, and I love the idea of asking disability to transfer you. Going to start documenting everything from now on too. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but at least we're all helping each other figure it out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips! 🙏
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I've been struggling with the same system exception error for about a week now! After reading through all these suggestions, I'm going to try the Firefox + early morning approach that several people mentioned. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access benefits we're entitled to. Has anyone had success with the mobile site approach? I'm wondering if that might be worth trying as a backup option. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this broken system!
I actually had success with the mobile site approach when I was dealing with this same issue a couple months ago! After trying everything else, I used my iPhone's Safari browser and it worked on the third try. The mobile version seems to have fewer features that can break, if that makes sense. Definitely worth trying as your backup plan. Also, I noticed you mentioned trying for a week - that's exactly how long it took me too before I found the right combination. Don't give up! The early morning + Firefox combo that others mentioned really does seem to work for a lot of people.
I've been dealing with this exact same error for the past 3 days! So frustrating. Reading through all these suggestions, I'm going to try the Firefox browser with all extensions disabled first thing tomorrow morning around 6 AM. It sounds like the combination of off-peak hours + different browser + no ad blockers has worked for several people here. I've been using Chrome this whole time, so maybe that's part of the problem. Also going to make sure to save my progress frequently instead of trying to complete everything at once. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know there are actual solutions that have worked for others! Will report back if I have success. 🤞
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This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently on maternity leave through SDI and planning to transition to PFL for bonding time in a few weeks. Reading about the certification requirements has been eye-opening - I had no idea PFL worked differently than regular disability payments. I'm definitely going to set up those calendar reminders that Aisha mentioned. It's frustrating that EDD doesn't make this clearer, but at least now I know what to expect. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's going to save me (and probably my husband when he takes his PFL later) from the same payment delays and stress you all went through!
Welcome to the PFL journey! You're so smart to research this ahead of time. I wish I had known about the certification differences before my husband started his leave. One thing I'd also suggest is taking screenshots of your online account once you submit each certification - it helps you keep track of what you've done and when, especially if there are any disputes later. The transition from SDI to PFL can be a bit confusing administratively, but knowing about the biweekly certifications puts you way ahead of where we were! Good luck with your bonding time when it starts.
@Grant Vikers hi hopefully I can get a response. I’m in the same boat. I switched to family paid bonding and only received 2 days worth of pay when I submitted my application. It’s been 14 days today and there’s nothing in my account. My claim is active and the only forms I have are reestablishing bonding and claimant change. I see there is a certification process mentioned. Which form would that be?
I'm going through a very similar situation right now! My wife just started her baby bonding PFL two weeks ago and we're already confused about the certification process. After reading this thread, I immediately went to check her SDI Online account and sure enough, there's a certification form that's been sitting there for 3 days that we had no idea about. It's absolutely ridiculous that EDD doesn't send any kind of email notification or text alert when these certifications are due. How are people supposed to know? We got so used to the automatic payments during her pregnancy disability that we just assumed PFL would work the same way. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread literally just saved us from weeks of payment delays and frustration. Going to set up those biweekly calendar reminders right now!
@Yara Sayegh what does the certification form look like?
Ali Anderson
Two weeks is definitely frustrating, but unfortunately pretty normal these days. I'm dealing with a similar situation - submitted my continuation forms 3 weeks ago and radio silence. What I've been doing is checking my EDD online account daily and documenting everything with dates. Also try calling the 1-877-238-4373 number first thing in the morning around 8am - that's when I've had the most luck getting through. Don't give up! Your benefits are coming, the system is just painfully slow right now.
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Alexis Renard
•Thanks for the tip about calling at 8am! I've been trying random times during the day with no luck. Really appreciate you sharing your experience - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess. Going to start documenting everything like you suggested too. Hopefully we both get our benefits sorted out soon! 🤞
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Amina Diallo
I'm in the exact same boat! Filed my PFL paperwork 3 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep from them. It's so stressful when you're counting on those benefits. I've been trying the phone number daily but keep getting the "call volume is too high" message. Really considering trying that in-person visit someone mentioned - might be worth the drive if it actually gets results. Hang in there Connor, sounds like we're all dealing with the same broken system right now.
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Lucy Taylor
•@Amina Diallo I feel your pain! The call "volume is too high message" is like a slap in the face when you really need help. I m'definitely going to try the in-person visit too - seems like that might be our best bet at this point. It s'crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we re'entitled to. Fingers crossed we both get some movement on our cases soon! 🙏
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