I'm in week 7 of waiting for my PFL claim to process and this thread is both validating and depressing! 😩 The system upgrade explanation makes total sense - it explains why so many claims that were filed around the same time are all stuck. I tried the assembly member route that @CosmicCaptain suggested and actually got a response within 24 hours! Their office said they've been flooded with EDD cases lately and are working with the department to push through the backlog. They asked me to send over my claim details and said they'd follow up within a week. Fingers crossed this helps! Also planning to try that claimyr service if I don't hear anything soon - $20 seems totally reasonable compared to the income I'm losing while waiting. Hang in there everyone, hopefully we'll all see some movement soon! 🙏

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed my PFL claim about 5 weeks ago after my daughter was born and it's been complete silence from EDD. What's really frustrating is that I was getting regular SDI payments throughout my pregnancy and then they just stopped the day I switched to PFL - no explanation, no communication, nothing! 😤 I've been trying to call daily but either get the busy signal or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. The online portal is useless - just shows "claim under review" with no timeline or updates. It's so stressful trying to manage with a newborn and no income coming in! After reading through this thread, I'm definitely going to try reaching out to my assembly member tomorrow and maybe give that claimyr service a shot if I get desperate enough. This system is absolutely broken and it's affecting so many new parents when we need support the most. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we're not suffering through this alone! 🤱💪

I'm currently 32 weeks and planning ahead for this same transition! Reading all these responses is both helpful and nerve-wracking. It sounds like the system is hit-or-miss, so I'm definitely going to set multiple calendar reminders starting at week 6 of my disability period to check for the PFL email. One question I haven't seen answered yet - if you don't get the automatic email and have to call EDD, is there a specific time of day that's better for getting through? I keep hearing about how impossible it is to reach them, and I'm worried about trying to navigate their phone system with a newborn! Also, has anyone had success using the EDD online chat feature for this, or do you absolutely have to call? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to hear real stories instead of just the official EDD website info!

I went through this exact situation last month! I'm a first-time mom too and was SO worried about the transition. Here's what actually happened: I got the automated email 5 days before my SDI was set to end, which was a huge relief. The email came from the same EDD account that sends all the SDI notifications (@edd.ca.gov). It had a direct link to apply for PFL and clear instructions. BUT - and this is important - I had checked "yes" on my original disability application when they asked if I planned to apply for PFL afterward. I think that's what triggers the system to send the email. My advice: definitely set calendar reminders, but also log into your EDD online account regularly during your last week of disability. Sometimes the PFL application link shows up there even if the email gets lost. And if you don't see anything by 3-4 days before your disability ends, call immediately. Don't wait! The PFL application itself was pretty straightforward once I had the link. Just make sure you have your SDI claim number handy when you fill it out. Good luck mama, you've got this! 💪

Update: I just applied online through my SDI account! It was actually pretty straightforward. There was a button that said "File a PFL Claim" right on the main page after logging in. The whole process took about 15 minutes. I made sure to set my PFL start date as the day after my disability ends. Now I'm just waiting for approval. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll update again when I hear back about approval.

Congratulations on successfully filing your PFL claim online! That's awesome that you got it done so quickly. Just a heads up - keep checking your SDI account regularly over the next week or so to see when your claim status updates. In my experience, once it shows "approved" online, your first payment usually comes within 2-3 business days after that. Also, if for some reason you don't see any updates after 10 days, don't panic! Sometimes there can be small delays if they need to verify information with your employer or if there's a high volume of claims being processed. But based on what others have shared here, it sounds like most baby bonding transitions go pretty smoothly. Enjoy your bonding time with your little girl! 💕

Ugh, I'm going through this exact same torture right now! 😩 Been trying for almost a month and it's like they only have one person answering phones for the entire state. I'm starting to think the hold music is just a myth at this point - I've never even heard it! The most frustrating part is that I NEED to update my claim info but there's literally no other way to do it except by phone. Their online system is useless for anything beyond the basics. Reading through all these tips is giving me some hope though - definitely going to try that technical support line trick and the SDI transfer method. At this point I'm willing to try anything! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, at least I know we're all suffering together 😭

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been banging my head against the wall for the past two weeks trying to get through to EDD for my PFL claim. It's honestly reassuring (but also depressing) to see that literally everyone is dealing with this same nightmare. I've tried calling at 8 AM sharp, throughout the day, even right before they close - nothing! The system just hangs up on you or gives you that "we're experiencing high call volumes" message. Reading through all these tips is like finding a treasure trove of survival strategies. I'm definitely going to try the technical support line (1-833-978-2511) that @Khalil mentioned, and maybe the SDI transfer trick too. At this point I'm willing to try anything short of camping outside their building! 😤 Thank you all for sharing your experiences - knowing we're all in this together makes it slightly less maddening!

Just to give you hope, my PFL baby bonding claim was stuck for 6 weeks, then I discovered they needed additional info from my employer (which they never told me about). Once I got my HR to submit the missing wage info, my claim was processed in 2 days. Check if there's something similar holding up your claim. Also, I've found that calling on Wednesdays between 1-2pm has better luck getting through than mornings when everyone is calling.

Glad you found the message in your account! This is extremely common with the new system - the notification emails often go to spam or don't send at all. Once you've submitted that employer verification, give it 3-5 business days and then call again if it's not processed. The PFL division is legally required to make a determination within 14 days of receiving all required documentation.