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! 💪

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar EDD date error - they have my leave start date wrong by 2 months and it's affecting everything. I've been calling the main line for weeks with no luck, but reading about the separate DI line that @Mateo Warren mentioned is a total game changer! I had no clue that existed. Also planning to try the assembly member route and the lunch time calling strategy. It's absolutely bonkers that we need a whole battle plan just to get basic information corrected, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works. This community is saving my sanity right now! Going to start my own spreadsheet and try the DI line at 8 AM tomorrow. Fingers crossed! 🤞

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm currently dealing with EDD putting my disability end date as January when it should be April - it's been 4 weeks of trying to get it corrected. I had no idea about the separate disability insurance line that @Mateo Warren mentioned - definitely trying that at 8 AM tomorrow! Also going to reach out to my assembly member's office. It's insane that we need a whole strategy guide just to fix basic date errors, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works. The lunch time calling tip and keeping a detailed spreadsheet are brilliant too. This system is completely broken but at least we're all helping each other navigate it. Thanks for creating this lifeline of a discussion! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare with EDD! Reading your story and all these comments makes me realize how common this issue is. I'm currently pregnant and planning to take both disability for recovery and then PFL for bonding, but now I'm terrified I'm going to face the same problems. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like the key is having crystal clear documentation of the transition between benefits. I'm going to start preparing now by: - Getting everything in writing from my HR department about the proper sequence - Keeping copies of all forms and submission dates - Taking notes on every conversation with EDD reps Has anyone found it helpful to involve their employer's HR department in these disputes? I'm wondering if having my employer confirm that I followed their recommended process might add weight to an appeal. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's helping me prepare better, even though it's scary to know how difficult this process can be!

I went through this exact same situation last year and it was absolutely maddening! EDD kept flip-flopping on my claim too - first approved, then denied, then approved again, then denied the last few weeks. What finally worked for me was getting a supervisor on the phone who could actually look at the claim history and see all the contradictory decisions. The issue seems to be that their computer system automatically flags any claim where someone transitions from SDI to PFL, even when it's totally legitimate. For your hearing, I'd recommend bringing a simple one-page summary that clearly states: 1. You gave birth in December 2024 2. You used SDI for medical recovery (6 weeks) 3. You properly transitioned to PFL in January 2025 for baby bonding (8 weeks) 4. There was no overlap or improper claiming Also, if you have any emails or notes from the EDD reps who initially confirmed PFL was correct for your situation, bring those too. The judge needs to see that you followed their own guidance. Don't give up! This system is broken but you're 100% entitled to those benefits. The hearing officer at my appeal was actually sympathetic once they saw all the back-and-forth documentation. You got this!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's currently 7 months pregnant and starting to research PFL benefits for when my husband takes his paternity leave, I can't believe how many hoops you all have had to jump through just to get benefits you've already paid for. Ellie, I'm so relieved you finally got everything resolved! The fact that it was just an address verification issue that caused weeks of financial stress is infuriating but unfortunately seems pretty typical from what I'm reading here. I'm definitely taking notes on all the strategies everyone has shared - the main EDD number sequence, calling right at 8am, the Claimyr service for emergencies, and even the in-person office visit option. It's sad that accessing basic benefits requires this level of strategic planning, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share what actually works. The advice about doing a preemptive verification call before leave starts is brilliant - I'm definitely going to have my husband try that about a week before his planned start date. Better to catch any potential issues early than discover them when we're already counting on the income. Thank you everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and solutions. This thread is going to help so many families navigate EDD's broken system!

This whole thread has been such an emotional rollercoaster to read! I'm currently dealing with my own PFL nightmare - been waiting 6 weeks for my maternity leave payments and getting the same runaround with specialists who never call back. Reading everyone's stories makes me feel less alone in this struggle, but also so angry that EDD puts new families through this stress. What really strikes me is how all these delays seem to come down to such minor administrative issues that could be easily prevented with better communication. Address changes, employment date mismatches, missing forms - none of these should require weeks of phone tag with unreachable specialists! I'm definitely going to try the main number sequence (1-800-480-3287, press 1, 2, then 4) tomorrow morning at 8am sharp. And if that doesn't work, I think Claimyr might be worth the cost just to preserve my sanity at this point. Thank you Ellie for sharing your update about getting it resolved - it gives me hope that persistence really does pay off eventually. And thank you to everyone who's contributed strategies and encouragement. This community is proof that we're stronger when we support each other through these broken systems! 💪

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! I moved during my second trimester and was so worried about the address mismatch between my physical license and current residence. Turns out it was completely unnecessary stress - the EDD system doesn't even cross-reference your DMV records. I filed my SDI claim using my current address on the DE2501 form, and everything processed smoothly. The rep I spoke with said they see this constantly since people move frequently but physical licenses can take 4-6 weeks to arrive. My biggest recommendation is to save your mental energy for making sure your medical certification is completed accurately by your doctor - that's honestly where most people run into delays, not address issues. Also, double-check that your employer's HR department has your updated address since they'll be submitting paperwork on your behalf. Don't let this worry keep you up at night - you've got enough to think about with a baby on the way!

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and just went through this exact same worry! I moved about 6 weeks ago and updated my address with DMV online, but my physical license still shows my old place. I was absolutely panicking about filing my SDI claim because I thought the address mismatch would cause major issues. After reading through all these responses, I feel SO much better! It sounds like the EDD system is way more practical than I expected - they just need your current mailing address on the forms so they know where to send your debit card and paperwork. I'm planning to file my claim in a couple weeks and will definitely focus on making sure my doctor fills out the medical certification properly rather than stressing about the address thing. This thread has been such a lifesaver - thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! It's so reassuring to know that this is a super common situation and not something that actually causes problems with claims.