Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation - submitted my PFL application about 10 days ago and it's been radio silence since then. The waiting game is brutal when you're depending on that income. I did apply online like you did, so hopefully that helps with processing time. One thing I found helpful was signing up for text alerts through the EDD portal - at least you get notified when there's any status change instead of obsessively checking the website every few hours (guilty as charged 😅). Hang in there, hopefully we both hear back soon!

I'm in a similar situation - submitted my PFL application about a week ago and the waiting is nerve-wracking! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and concerning at the same time 😅 It sounds like the timeline really varies from person to person. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that since I also applied online and didn't need any additional docs, maybe it'll be on the faster side. Has anyone noticed if the time of year affects processing times? I submitted mine right after the holidays so I'm wondering if that might slow things down.

Hey OP, just curious - what's your reason for taking leave? Different reasons can have different rules and timeframes.

That's awesome that you're planning ahead! I did the same thing and it really helped when the time came. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you need to have been paying into SDI for at least 5-10 months before you can claim benefits, so make sure you check your paystubs to see if SDI is being deducted. Also, if you're planning for maternity leave, look into whether your employer offers any additional benefits on top of PFL - some companies will top off your pay or let you use vacation time to make up the difference since PFL only covers about 60-70% of your wages. Good luck with your family planning journey! 🍀

I'm currently in a very similar situation and this thread has been so helpful! I have an unemployment overpayment from 2020 that I've been paying off monthly, and I'm due in January 2025. Reading everyone's experiences has given me a much clearer picture of what to expect. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to make a large payment in December to get my balance to zero before filing any claims. The tip about calling the overpayment collections line (1-866-962-0741) to get my exact balance and explore options has been a game-changer - I had no idea that line existed! One question for those who have been through this: when you got written confirmation of your zero balance, did you request it through the collections line or the main EDD line? I want to make sure I'm asking the right department for the documentation I'll need. Also, has anyone had experience with the timing between pregnancy disability and PFL claims when there was a previous overpayment history? I'm wondering if I should expect any delays between the two benefit periods even if my account is clear. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not alone in dealing with this situation and that there are concrete steps I can take to avoid issues!

I've been through a very similar situation and wanted to share some additional insights that might help! I had an unemployment overpayment from 2019 that I was still paying off when I went on maternity leave in 2023. One thing I learned is that it's worth calling EDD's collections line multiple times if you get different answers from different reps. The first person I spoke to told me there was no way to avoid the 25% garnishment, but when I called back a week later, a different rep was able to set up a temporary suspension during my leave period. Also, I'd recommend getting familiar with your EDD online account portal before you need to file claims. You can track your overpayment balance there and see exactly when it hits zero. Screenshots of your account showing a $0 balance can serve as backup documentation along with any written confirmation letters. Since you're being so proactive about this (which is awesome!), you might also want to consider setting up your EDD online account for both regular benefits and SDI if you haven't already. Having everything linked makes it easier to track your claims and any potential issues that come up. The stress of dealing with this while pregnant is real, but you're doing everything right by planning ahead. Most people I know who cleared their overpayments before filing had smooth experiences with their maternity benefits. You've got this! 💪

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!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now and was totally overwhelmed by the thought of navigating the bureaucracy. The early morning call strategy seems to be the real MVP here - I had no idea timing could make such a huge difference in wait times. Really appreciate everyone sharing their actual experiences and step-by-step processes instead of just venting about how broken the system is (though let's be real, it definitely has its issues 😅). The distinction between suspend vs cancel that Sophie brought up is particularly eye-opening - that's definitely something I need to ask about when I call. Planning to follow the collective wisdom here and call first thing Monday morning with all my info written out beforehand. Thanks to everyone for making this feel way less intimidating! 🙏

Quick heads up from someone who just went through this - if you have direct deposit set up with EDD, they sometimes send email notifications when your 1099-G is ready online before the paper copy arrives in the mail. Check your email (including spam folder) around late January! Also, since you mentioned organizing for tax season, I'd recommend creating a folder now for all your 2025 tax documents so you can drop the 1099-G right in there when it arrives. Makes tax time so much less stressful when everything's already organized. And seriously, don't beat yourself up about not knowing this stuff - the EDD materials are not exactly parent-friendly when you're sleep-deprived and trying to figure out benefits while caring for a newborn! 😴

Hey there! As someone who just went through this exact situation last year, I can definitely relate to the confusion! Yes, you'll get a 1099-G form from EDD, but here's something I wish someone had told me - if you're planning to use a tax preparer, give them a heads up that you received EDD benefits. My accountant said a lot of new parents forget to mention this and then have to amend their returns later. Also, since you mentioned your baby is 8 months old now, this might be a good time to start looking into childcare tax credits for next year if you're planning to go back to work and use daycare. The dependent care FSA enrollment usually happens during open enrollment season, so it's good to think ahead! The whole tax thing with benefits is definitely overwhelming when you're already juggling so much as a new parent, but you're asking the right questions early which is smart! 👶