Anyone else notice that the hold music is always some weird jazz? Like, are they trying to put us to sleep or what? 😴🎷

I've been dealing with the same overlapping claims issue! What worked for me was calling the 1-877-238-4373 number (the PFL-specific line) rather than the general disability number. I called at exactly 8:01 AM on a Tuesday and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was able to fix my start date issue right on the spot. Also, make sure you have your confirmation numbers for both claims ready - they'll need those to sort out the overlap. Don't give up, it's definitely fixable once you get someone on the line!

my cousin works for edd and she said they're super backed up processing claims right now because of new system updates in 2025, so definitely file exactly on your first day off to avoid more delays!! also make sure your employer reports your last day correctly or it can cause issues with your claim

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process! I took my baby bonding leave in two separate chunks last year (4 weeks initially, then 4 weeks later). A few things that helped me: - Keep copies of your original birth certificate handy - you'll need it again for the second application - Double-check that your employer codes your leave correctly in their system. My HR accidentally marked my second leave as "vacation" instead of PFL, which caused a delay - If you're doing direct deposit, make sure your bank info is still current in the EDD system before filing The waiting period between filing and first payment was definitely longer for my second claim (about 2.5 weeks vs 1 week for the first), so budget accordingly. But once payments started, they were consistent and on time. Good luck with your leave planning! It's so nice that you and your husband can coordinate to maximize your time with your little one.

Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member or state senator? Sometimes they can help push things along.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 5 weeks ago and still stuck on "pending." It's so stressful not knowing what's happening. I've tried calling but like everyone else said, can't get through. Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread - I'm going to try contacting my assembly member next. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to. Hang in there, hopefully we'll both get some movement on our claims soon! 🤞

Just updating to let everyone know that I got this resolved! It took 4 days total - 2 days for ID.me to respond and 2 more to complete the account merge. I used Claimyr to get through to EDD (took about 25 mins to connect) and explained the situation. They put a note on my account and told me to call back once the ID.me issue was fixed. After ID.me merged my accounts, I called EDD again and they were able to push my PFL claim through. Payment is being deposited tomorrow! Thanks everyone for your help with this stressful situation.

Oh wow, reading through all these experiences is both helpful and terrifying! I'm 8 months pregnant and planning to apply for PFL in a few weeks. I'm pretty sure I have multiple ID.me accounts from different job applications over the years. Should I try to sort this out BEFORE I apply for PFL, or wait until it becomes a problem? It sounds like being proactive might save me a lot of headache later, especially with a newborn!

After reading through all the comments, it sounds like what the person at your wife's work was referring to is the California Training Benefits (CTB) program through unemployment insurance, NOT an extension of PFL. To clarify the process for that (which is NOT designed as a parental leave extension): 1. Your wife would need to separate from her employer after PFL ends 2. She would apply for regular Unemployment Insurance 3. She would need to enroll in an approved training program 4. She would apply for the CTB program specifically This is NOT a seamless extension of benefits and has different eligibility requirements and benefit calculations. It also requires job separation, which means losing employer health insurance and other benefits. I'd strongly suggest speaking with an EDD representative directly before making any decisions based on this information.

I'm a new parent myself and went through this same confusion a few months ago. The unfortunate reality is that there's no legitimate 6-month PFL extension program in California. The 8 weeks of paid family leave for baby bonding is the maximum the state provides. However, here are some actual options that might help your situation: 1. Check if your wife's employer offers any supplemental parental leave benefits beyond what the state provides 2. Look into whether she has any accrued vacation/sick time that could extend her paid time off 3. Ask HR about a gradual return-to-work schedule or temporary part-time arrangement 4. See if your employer offers dependent care assistance or flexible spending accounts for childcare costs The California Training Benefits program others mentioned is real, but it's not designed for this purpose and would require your wife to quit her job first - which could create bigger financial problems given the loss of health insurance and other benefits. I'd recommend calling EDD directly to confirm there aren't any pilot programs or special circumstances that apply to your situation, but don't get your hopes up for a 6-month extension. Focus on practical solutions with her current employer instead.