Just a heads up, make sure you have some savings to fall back on. Even after approval, it can take a couple weeks for the first payment to come through. Learned that the hard way 😅

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!

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! 🍀

Plot twist: what if you just... didn't cancel? 😈 jk jk don't do that

I went through this process about 6 months ago. Here's what worked for me: I called first thing in the morning (like 8:00 AM sharp) and got through in about 45 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hours. Have your Social Security number, claim number, and a clear reason for cancellation ready. They'll ask you to confirm some personal details and then process it on the spot. You should get an email confirmation within 24-48 hours. If you don't hear back, definitely call again to follow up. The whole thing was actually pretty straightforward once I got someone on the phone. Good luck!

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the main line, try calling your local EDD office directly. Google 'EDD office near me' and you might find a direct number. Worked for me!

This is such a nightmare! I'm dealing with something similar - my PFL application has been "under review" for 6 weeks now with zero communication. What's really frustrating is that we NEED these benefits and they're just making us jump through impossible hoops. I'm going to try calling the local EDD office like @Alberto Souchard suggested - fingers crossed! Also thinking about reaching out to my state rep. We shouldn't have to fight this hard for benefits we're entitled to. Stay strong everyone, we'll get through this mess! 💪

Congrats on the baby btw! Try not to stress too much about this stuff. It usually works out fine in the end. 😊

I went through something similar in 2022! I had an old UI overpayment that I was slowly paying off, and when I filed for PFL after my son was born, they did reduce my weekly benefit by about 20% to continue paying down the debt. However, I was able to call EDD and set up a separate payment plan for the overpayment so my PFL benefits wouldn't be affected. It took forever to get through to someone (literally hours on hold), but once I explained my situation with a newborn, they were pretty understanding. The key is to be persistent and keep calling until you get someone who can help. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready when you do get through - payment history, account statements, etc. Good luck with your little one!