Has anyone had experience with retroactive claims? I didn't know I was eligible until after my leave started 😬

@Mateo Warren Yes, you can file retroactively! I had to do this too - didn't realize I was eligible until 3 weeks into my leave. You'll need to explain the delay in your application and provide documentation for the entire period you're claiming. They accepted mine, but it did add about a week to the processing time. The key is being thorough with your paperwork and having a valid reason for the late filing. Don't stress too much about it!

I went through something very similar in early 2024! I had an old UI overpayment from 2020 that I was paying off monthly, and I was terrified they'd mess with my maternity benefits. Here's what I learned: The most important thing is getting that balance to ZERO before you file any claims. Even $50 remaining can trigger their system to flag your account. I ended up paying off my last $200 in one lump sum in December just to be safe. Once it was paid off, I immediately requested written confirmation from EDD showing a zero balance. This was crucial because when I filed for pregnancy disability in January, there was initially some confusion on their end about my account status. Having that documentation helped me get it sorted out quickly. The good news is that since you'll have yours paid off by January and you're not due until February, you should be fine! Just make sure to: 1. Get written proof of zero balance 2. Keep copies of all your payment records 3. File your disability claim as soon as you're eligible (usually 1-4 weeks before your due date) Don't stress too much - you're being proactive by planning ahead, which is exactly the right approach. Once that debt is cleared, you should be good to go for your full benefits! Wishing you a smooth process and congratulations on your upcoming little one! 💕

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a somewhat different situation but wanted to share in case it helps anyone else. I had an old SDI overpayment (not unemployment) from 2021 that I was still paying off when I went on maternity leave last year. What I discovered is that EDD treats all overpayments the same way regardless of which program they're from - UI, SDI, PFL, etc. So even though my overpayment was from State Disability Insurance, it still affected my PFL benefits initially. However, I was able to get it resolved by calling the overpayment collections line (the separate number someone mentioned earlier - 1-866-962-0741) and explaining my situation. They were able to put a temporary hold on collections during my maternity leave period, which allowed me to receive my full PFL benefits. The key was calling them BEFORE I filed my PFL claim and getting the arrangement set up in advance. Once I returned to work, the collections resumed automatically. It saved me so much stress during those first few months with my baby. For anyone dealing with any type of EDD overpayment (not just unemployment), that collections line is definitely worth calling to discuss your options. They seem to have more flexibility than the regular benefits line when it comes to working out arrangements.

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! 💪

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently 7 months pregnant with my first baby and trying to get all my ducks in a row for PFL before the little one arrives. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so educational - I had no idea that changing dates could be such a complex process, but I'm grateful to see there are clear solutions when issues come up. @PixelWarrior, congratulations on your new baby and I'm so glad you got everything sorted out! @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans, thank you for providing such detailed step-by-step guidance. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these bureaucratic challenges. Hopefully my PFL claim goes smoothly, but if not, I know where to come for advice!

This thread is incredibly informative! I'm new to this community and currently navigating my first PFL claim for baby bonding leave. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been so reassuring - especially seeing @PixelWarrior's successful resolution! The detailed guidance from @Giovanni Rossi and @Dylan Evans about the correct process for extending PFL claims is exactly what I needed to understand. It's unfortunate that the system is so confusing and requires so much persistence, but knowing there are multiple approaches (SDI Online messaging, phone calls, and even services like the one @Sofia Gomez mentioned) gives me confidence that issues can be resolved. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for new parents trying to figure out these complex benefits!

Just wanted to add my two cents here - I actually cancelled my PFL claim about 3 months ago and it was way less painful than I expected after reading all the horror stories online. The key things that helped me: 1) I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday (seems like mid-week mornings have shorter wait times), 2) I had everything written down beforehand including my claim number, SSN, and a brief explanation of why I needed to cancel, and 3) I was polite but persistent when they tried to transfer me around. The whole call took about an hour total including wait time, and I got my email confirmation the next day. One thing I wish someone had told me - they'll ask if you want to "suspend" your claim instead of cancelling it completely. Make sure you understand the difference before you decide! Suspension might be better if there's any chance you'll need the benefits later. Hope this helps and good luck! 👍

Wow, this thread is exactly what I needed! I've been stressing about cancelling my PFL claim for weeks and was dreading the whole process. The early morning call strategy seems to be working for everyone - I'm definitely setting my alarm for 7:45 AM tomorrow to be ready to call right at 8:00. Love the tip about having everything written down beforehand, and the suspend vs cancel distinction Sophie mentioned is huge - I had no idea that was even an option. Really grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences instead of just complaining about the system. Sometimes this community really comes through! 🙌 Will report back with how it goes!