I'm new to this community but have been reading through all the responses here, and wow - there's so much valuable information! As someone who's dealt with various government benefit applications, I wanted to add a few thoughts that might help. First, the success stories from @8e45f8127191 and others are incredibly encouraging and show that appeals really do work when approached correctly. The "good cause" provision seems to be key here. One thing I'd suggest is to also check if California has any ombudsman services for EDD disputes. Many states have independent advocates who can help navigate these situations when you hit roadblocks with the regular appeals process. Also, when you're documenting your case, consider creating a timeline that shows: - When your qualifying event occurred - When you first became aware that PFL existed - When you discovered the 41-day deadline - Any attempts you made to get information before the deadline - When you actually applied This kind of clear timeline can really help demonstrate that you were acting in good faith but just lacked the proper information. @250a660d2be0 - don't lose hope! The fact that multiple people in this thread have successfully appealed similar situations shows there's definitely a path forward. The system is confusing by design, but that confusion can actually work in your favor when arguing "good cause." Rooting for you and everyone else dealing with this frustrating situation! 💪

I'm really sorry you're going through this - I can only imagine how stressful it must be to have your claim denied when you still have eligible time left. Reading through all these responses gives me a lot of hope for your situation though! What really stands out to me is how many people have mentioned the "good cause" exception for late applications. It seems like the key is being able to demonstrate that you missed the deadline due to circumstances beyond your control - like not being properly informed about the 41-day rule. I'd definitely recommend starting with that early morning call (8:01 AM seems to be the magic time!) and being very specific about requesting a "good cause" appeal. Make sure to emphasize that you weren't aware of the deadline and that you still have time remaining in your eligibility period. Also, definitely check what information your employer provided about PFL benefits. If they gave you generic info without mentioning the crucial 41-day deadline, that could really strengthen your case. The timeline approach that @1ee9ad7e0a2b suggested sounds really smart too - documenting when you first learned about PFL vs when you discovered the deadline requirement could help show you were acting in good faith. Stay strong and don't let them wear you down! The success stories in this thread prove it's definitely possible to get these denials reversed. 🤞

Yes, exactly. Your \

I'm so glad you found out about this in time! I went through something similar last year - I had no idea PFL bonding leave was separate from disability until a coworker mentioned it when my baby was 10 months old. I was able to file retroactively and got approved, but it took about 6 weeks to process since it was a late claim. One thing that really helped my case was getting a letter from my doctor's office confirming the dates of my disability period, which clearly showed when I would have been eligible to start PFL. Also, if you have any emails or documentation showing that your HR department only gave you SDI paperwork without mentioning PFL, include that too - it really strengthens your case that you weren't properly informed. The whole system is so confusing and poorly communicated. You shouldn't have to be a benefits expert just to get what you're entitled to! Rooting for you - hope you get every penny you deserve!

Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect when setting up an offset for benefits overpayment: • First, gather all relevant documents: overpayment notice, past benefit statements, and any correspondence with EDD. • When you call, you'll need to provide your Social Security number and confirm your identity. • The rep will explain the reason for the overpayment and the total amount owed. • You can then discuss repayment options. An offset means they'll reduce your future benefits to recoup the overpayment. • You have the right to negotiate the amount of the offset. They can't take more than 25% of your weekly benefit. • If you disagree with the overpayment, you can request an appeal or apply for a waiver. • Make sure to get a confirmation number or case number for your offset agreement. • Ask for a written statement of the agreement to be mailed to you. Remember, stay calm and polite, but be firm about your rights and needs. Good luck!

One thing I'd add - if you're currently receiving benefits and they want to start the offset immediately, you can ask for a hardship deferral if the reduced payments would cause financial distress. I had to do this when my offset would have dropped my weekly benefit below what I needed for rent. They approved a temporary delay while I got my finances sorted. It's not guaranteed, but worth asking about if you're in a tight spot financially.

I'm dealing with a similar upload issue right now! One thing that helped me was trying the upload process using Safari browser instead of Chrome - apparently EDD's system has weird compatibility issues with certain browsers. Also, if you're still stuck, try logging in at exactly midnight or very early morning when their servers have less traffic. I've heard from others that the upload buttons sometimes reappear during these low-traffic windows. It's ridiculous that we have to work around their technical problems like this, but hopefully one of these workarounds helps you get that birth certificate uploaded!

I had this exact same issue with my PFL claim last month! The upload button just completely vanished after I submitted my initial application. What ended up working for me was a combination of things: First, I tried logging in using Microsoft Edge browser (weird, I know, but their system seems to hate Chrome and Firefox sometimes). Second, I logged in during off-peak hours around 6 AM when the system is less congested. The upload option magically reappeared! If that doesn't work, you can also try calling their document upload hotline at 1-866-333-4606 - it's specifically for technical issues with uploads, not general claims questions. They can manually process your documents over the phone. Also, make sure your birth certificate file is under 5MB and in PDF format - I found out the hard way that their system is super picky about file types and sizes. Don't give up, your claim is definitely still in their system even if the website isn't showing it properly!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 10 weeks and counting with no payments. It's absolutely ridiculous how broken this system is. I've tried everything mentioned here: calling (never get through), checking online portal (just says "pending"), even sent written requests. The stress of not knowing when/if you'll get paid while dealing with family issues is just brutal. Has anyone had luck with filing a complaint with the state ombudsman? I'm at my wit's end here.

This is absolutely maddening - I'm in week 8 of waiting myself and it's like screaming into the void. The fact that we're all here sharing horror stories of 2-4+ month delays just shows how completely broken this system is. I've been documenting everything like others suggested, but honestly shouldn't have to become a detective just to get benefits we've paid into. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone tried contacting their local assemblymember's office? I heard they sometimes have staff who can help navigate state agency issues. At this point I'm willing to try anything. The financial stress on top of dealing with family medical issues is just crushing. We deserve so much better than this bureaucratic nightmare! 😤