Guys, I heard theres gonna be a new online system rolling out soon that's supposed to make all this easier. Anyone know when that's happening?

I made a similar mistake on my initial application - put the wrong date for when I last worked. What worked for me was logging into my EDD account online and looking for the "Report Work and Wages" section. There was actually an option to submit corrections there. If that doesn't work, I've found that calling right at 8am when they open gives you the best chance of getting through. Also, don't hang up if you get the busy signal - sometimes if you wait a few seconds it'll put you in the queue. The whole system is frustrating but you'll get it sorted out!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share some encouragement after reading through all these helpful responses! It's amazing to see how supportive this community is during medical emergencies. As someone who just went through a similar situation when my partner had emergency surgery, I can confirm that California PFL really is designed for exactly your circumstances. The stress of managing everything alone with young kids while recovering from major surgery is overwhelming, so please don't feel guilty about needing this support. One small tip I didn't see mentioned - when your husband talks to his HR department, ask if they have a standard PFL packet or checklist they provide to employees. Some companies have streamlined their process and can walk him through both the state requirements and company policies at the same time. Also, while all the paperwork is getting sorted out, don't hesitate to accept help from friends, neighbors, or family for things like meal trains, school pickups, or just having someone watch the kids for an hour so you can rest. Recovery goes so much better when you actually get to focus on healing instead of worrying about everyone else. You're handling this crisis really well by getting informed and taking quick action. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping the PFL approval comes through quickly! Please keep us posted on how it goes.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading about your emergency surgery situation. As someone who navigated PFL when my spouse had unexpected gallbladder complications last year, I can absolutely confirm that your husband qualifies for benefits to care for you. A few things that helped us get through the process smoothly: 1. **Start the online application immediately** - Even without the medical certification, he can begin the SDI Online application today. The system allows you to upload documents later. 2. **Emphasize the family care aspect** - With four young children (especially your 2-year-old), make sure the medical documentation clearly states you cannot perform childcare duties, not just that you need personal care. 3. **Prepare for the financial adjustment** - The 60-70% wage replacement was challenging, but we found ways to temporarily reduce expenses and it was absolutely worth having the proper recovery time. 4. **Keep detailed records** - Document his caregiving activities, your recovery progress, and any additional medical appointments. This helps if EDD has questions later. The emergency nature of gallbladder surgery should help expedite your claim. Most importantly, don't feel guilty about needing this support - this is exactly what you've been paying into the system for! Sending positive thoughts for your recovery and hoping the approval process goes smoothly. Please update us when you hear back from EDD!

I'm dealing with this same "system exception" error right now! Been trying for 2 days straight. Based on all the suggestions here, I'm going to try the Firefox + early morning combo tomorrow. Really appreciate everyone sharing what worked for them - gives me hope that there's actually a solution. Quick question though: when you all say "early morning," are we talking like 6 AM Pacific time specifically, or just whenever your local early morning is? I'm on the East Coast so want to make sure I'm timing it right. Also going to try the mobile site backup plan if Firefox doesn't work. This whole situation is so stressful when you need these benefits! 😤

I just went through this exact same issue two weeks ago! The system exception error drove me absolutely crazy. What finally worked for me was a combination of several things people have mentioned here: I used Firefox with all extensions disabled (especially ad blockers), accessed the site at 5:30 AM when traffic is super low, and most importantly - I filled out the form in small sections, saving after each page instead of trying to complete everything at once. The system seems to time out if you stay on one page too long or try to submit too much data at once. Also, make sure you're on a stable internet connection and not using public WiFi. I took screenshots of every error message with timestamps just in case I needed to prove I was trying to submit before any deadlines. It took me about 5 tries over different days, but persistence paid off. The whole system is definitely outdated and frustrating, but don't give up! You'll get through it eventually. 💪

Hey OP, just wondering - did you try using the mobile app? Sometimes it works better than the website.

I went through this exact same issue a few weeks ago! Here's what finally worked for me: make sure your ID photo is super clear and well-lit (no shadows or glare), and try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when the system is less congested. Also, if your ID has any damage or wear, even minor scratches, the system might reject it. I had to borrow my partner's phone with a better camera to get a cleaner photo. Don't give up - it took me 4 tries but it eventually went through!

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! 💪

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!