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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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Hey OP, just curious - what's your reason for taking leave? Different reasons can have different rules and timeframes.
I'm actually looking into it for future planning. My partner and I are thinking about starting a family soon, so I want to understand my options now.
Oh nice! Congrats on the future plans 😊 For new parents, you typically get up to 8 weeks for pregnancy disability (if applicable) and then another 8 weeks for bonding. And your partner might be eligible for bonding time too!
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! 🍀
Thanks @Emma Anderson for sharing all that detail! The SDI payment requirement is definitely something I need to look into. Quick question - do you know if there s'a way to check how long you ve'been paying into SDI online, or do you have to go through old paystubs? Also, when you coordinated with your employer, did you give them a heads up months in advance or wait until closer to when you actually needed the leave?
@Emma Anderson this is so helpful! I m'in a similar planning stage and had no clue about the SDI requirement timeline. Quick question - when you say 60-70% of wages, is there a cap on how much they ll'pay out? Like if someone makes really good money, do they still get the full percentage or is there a maximum benefit amount? Also, did you find the application process overwhelming or was it pretty straightforward once you had all the docs ready?
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Just wanted to add - if you're still having trouble with the SDI Online portal, you can also file the PFL claim by mail or fax. Sometimes the online system gets overwhelmed, especially during busy periods. The DE2508 form is available as a PDF on the EDD website. I had to do this route when my account kept locking me out. It took a bit longer to process (about 10 days vs 5 days online) but it worked! Also make sure to send it certified mail so you have proof they received it. The mailing address is on the form itself. Good luck with your new baby!
This is such great advice about the mail/fax option! I didn't even know that was possible. As someone new to all this, it's really reassuring to know there are backup options when the online system isn't cooperating. The certified mail tip is especially helpful - I would have never thought of that but it makes total sense to have proof of delivery. Thanks for sharing your experience! It's so helpful to hear from people who have actually been through this process.
I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm about to start my maternity leave in a few weeks and had no idea these were separate applications. My HR department just told me about "EDD benefits" but didn't explain the difference between SDI and PFL at all. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening. I'm definitely going to bookmark this and make sure to file my PFL claim early when the time comes. It's crazy that EDD doesn't make this transition more automatic or at least clearer in their communications. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - it's so much more helpful than the confusing official websites!
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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!
Great question about the written confirmation! From what I've seen in other threads, it's best to request that documentation through the collections line (1-866-962-0741) since they handle the overpayment accounts directly. They should be able to provide you with an official clearance letter showing your balance is satisfied. Regarding the timing between pregnancy disability and PFL - I haven't personally experienced this, but from what I've read, if your account is completely clear when you file your initial pregnancy disability claim, the transition to PFL should be smooth since your eligibility will have already been verified. The key seems to be making sure that first claim goes through without any flags on your account. You're being really smart by planning to clear everything in December! Having that buffer time before your January due date should help avoid any last-minute complications. Definitely get that written confirmation as soon as your balance hits zero and keep it with all your claim paperwork.
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! 💪
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New member here dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! My PFL application has been stuck in processing limbo for 6 weeks now with zero communication from EDD. Like so many others here, I'm trying to care for a family member while simultaneously becoming a full-time EDD detective just to get basic updates on my own benefits. What really gets me is that we've all been paying into this system for years, yet when we actually need it during legitimate family emergencies, they make us jump through impossible hoops. I've called countless times and can rarely get through - and when I do, they just say "keep waiting" with no timeline or explanation. Reading everyone's experiences here is both comforting and infuriating - we're all fighting the same broken system! I'm definitely going to try the local EDD office strategy that @Alberto Souchard mentioned since that seems to be working for people. Also planning to reach out to my state rep based on the success stories here. Thank you all for creating this supportive community and sharing your strategies. It shouldn't take a village to access our own benefits, but at least we're not facing this nightmare alone! Will keep everyone updated on my progress. Stay strong everyone! 💪
@Levi Parker Welcome to this community that unfortunately none of us wanted to join! Your 6-week limbo situation sounds exactly like what so many of us are experiencing. I m'also brand new here and just learning about all these strategies from everyone s'shared experiences. The fact that we ve'all been paying into this system for years only to face these impossible barriers when we actually need help is absolutely maddening! It s'like they re'banking on us giving up out of exhaustion. I m'also planning to try the local EDD office approach that @Alberto Souchard shared - it really seems to be the most effective strategy based on all the success stories here. The state rep route also sounds promising. It s honestly'ridiculous that we have to become EDD experts during family emergencies, but at least we have this community to share strategies and support each other. Thanks for adding your voice to this fight - the more we share our experiences, the clearer it becomes how broken this system really is. Keep us posted on how it goes! 🙏
Just joined this community after stumbling into my own EDD nightmare! My PFL application has been "processing" for 4 weeks now with absolutely zero updates or communication. I'm caring for my mom who's recovering from hip surgery, and the stress of fighting this bureaucratic black hole while managing her care is honestly making everything so much harder. What's really frustrating is that I've been paying into this system through every paycheck for over a decade, yet when I actually need these benefits during a legitimate family emergency, it's like the system is designed to make me fail. I've called probably 40+ times and only gotten through once - just to be told "your application is in queue" with no timeline whatsoever. Reading all your stories here is both heartbreaking and oddly reassuring - at least I know I'm not losing my mind! The fact that so many of us are dealing with identical vanishing applications and radio silence shows this is clearly a systemic problem, not isolated incidents. I'm definitely going to try calling the local EDD office that @Alberto Souchard mentioned - sounds like that's been the most successful strategy for actually reaching humans. Also planning to contact my state rep's office since multiple people here have had success with that approach. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating this space where we can support each other through this mess. It shouldn't take detective work to access benefits we've earned, but here we are! Will keep everyone updated on my progress 💪
Raul Neal
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!
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PaulineW
•Oh wow, 10 days and radio silence sounds stressful! Thanks for the tip about text alerts - I had no idea that was an option. Definitely going to sign up for those right now since I've been doing exactly what you described (checking obsessively 😂). It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one going through this waiting game. Fingers crossed we both get some good news soon! 🤞
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Freya Collins
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.
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Angel Campbell
•Hey! I'm also a newcomer here and just submitted my PFL application a few days ago, so I totally feel your anxiety about the timeline! From what I've been reading in this thread, it seems like holiday timing might actually slow things down a bit since government offices tend to have reduced staffing during that period. But on the bright side, applying online without needing extra docs should definitely work in your favor! I'm trying to stay optimistic that we'll both hear back within that 2-3 week window that some folks mentioned. The waiting is definitely the hardest part though - glad to find this community where people actually share real experiences instead of just generic government website info!
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