This is such a lifesaver! I'm currently 4 weeks into waiting for my PFL claim and was starting to panic about how I'm going to pay rent next month. I had no clue that Assembly members could actually help with individual EDD cases - I thought they only dealt with passing laws and stuff like that. I'm definitely going to try this approach this week. Quick question though - when you say they called you back on Monday after submitting Thursday, was that a business day turnaround or did they actually call over the weekend? Just trying to set my expectations for timing since I'm getting pretty desperate here. Also, did you have to explain your whole situation again when they called, or had they already reviewed everything from the form? I'm so tired of having to repeat my story over and over to different people who can't help anyway. Thanks for giving me hope that there's actually a way out of this EDD nightmare!

This is incredible information - thank you so much for sharing! I'm currently 6 weeks into waiting for my maternity PFL claim and I was honestly starting to lose hope. Like so many others here, I've called EDD dozens of times only to get the same "it's being processed" response with zero timeline or explanation. I had absolutely no idea that Assembly members' offices could help with individual EDD cases. I always thought they only dealt with legislation and big picture policy stuff, not helping regular people navigate government bureaucracy. Reading all these success stories in the comments is honestly the first real hope I've had in weeks! I'm definitely going to look up my Assembly member today and submit a casework request. It's so frustrating that we have to go this route to get benefits we've already paid into and are legally entitled to, but if it works, I'm all for it. The financial stress of waiting this long while caring for a newborn is just overwhelming. One quick question - did your Assembly member's office give you any sense of how common these EDD delays are? I'm curious if this is just a recent problem or if the system has always been this broken. Either way, I'm grateful you took the time to share your experience because it's clearly helping a lot of people!

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! 👶

Hey! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the EDD website if you haven't already - they'll send you updates when there's any change to your claim status. Also, if you have a doctor involved in your claim, sometimes they can provide updates on whether EDD has requested additional medical documentation. I know the waiting is stressful, but hang in there! The system is slow but it does work eventually. Keep all your confirmation numbers and reference materials handy for when you do get through to someone.

I'm going through the same thing right now! What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track all my interactions - dates I called, reference numbers, who I spoke with, etc. It sounds nerdy but it's been a lifesaver when different reps ask for the same info over and over. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you're not getting helpful answers. Sometimes the first person you talk to doesn't have access to all the info you need. And if you're dealing with any financial hardship while waiting, ask about expedited processing - they don't always volunteer that info but it's worth asking about. One more tip: if you submitted everything online, double-check that all your documents actually uploaded properly. I thought mine went through but turns out one form didn't save correctly and that delayed everything by weeks 🤦‍♀️

I'm a new mom who just went through this process last month! I used "Salary Continuation Benefits" on my DE2501 form and it was approved quickly. What really saved me was creating a simple checklist: 1) Get HR's official term for the program, 2) Get written confirmation of payment amounts and schedule, 3) Confirm whether they report to EDD directly or if I need to self-report, and 4) Ask for a contact person in HR for any follow-up questions during leave. The whole thing was much smoother once I had all these details nailed down upfront. Don't stress too much about the exact wording - EDD seems pretty flexible as long as it's clear your employer is supplementing your disability pay!

I'm also dealing with this right now and it's so helpful to see everyone's different experiences! My HR department calls it "Disability Income Supplement" but after reading all these responses, I'm realizing the most important thing is just being consistent with whatever term my company uses officially. One thing I'm curious about - for those whose companies coordinate payments directly with EDD, did you notice any delays in when you actually received your combined benefits? I'm trying to figure out if I should expect any timing differences between the EDD portion and the employer portion of my pay during leave.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of everything else after having a c-section! This exact situation happened to my sister last year - she filed PFL first and then panicked when she realized she needed SDI. The good news is that EDD sees this mix-up A LOT, especially with new parents who are navigating all this for the first time. When she called (took several attempts to get through), she was honest about the confusion and they were actually pretty understanding. They were able to cancel her PFL and backdate the SDI claim about 5 weeks out. The key things that helped her case were: 1) being upfront about the employer misinformation, 2) having all her medical documentation ready, and 3) following up regularly. It took about 3 weeks total once she got the right person on the phone. Don't lose hope - this is fixable! And definitely don't blame yourself, the system is genuinely confusing and your HR should have guided you better. Wishing you the best of luck! ✨

I just went through this exact situation about 3 months ago! The stress of dealing with EDD while recovering from a c-section is no joke. Here's what worked for me: I called at exactly 8:01 AM on a Tuesday (seemed to have better luck mid-week), and when I got through, I immediately explained that I received incorrect guidance from HR about the filing order. The rep was actually really understanding and said this happens more than you'd think with postpartum claims. They were able to cancel my PFL and backdate my SDI claim to my delivery date, even though it had been about 6 weeks. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks once I got the ball rolling. Make sure you have your delivery records, doctor's notes about your recovery period, and any communication from HR ready when you call. Also, ask for a confirmation number for the cancellation and the new claim - it'll save you headaches if you need to follow up. You're going to get through this! The system is definitely confusing, especially when you're dealing with new parent brain fog. Don't be too hard on yourself about the mix-up! 💪