Just wanted to add - if you're still having trouble getting through to EDD by phone, try their online contact form first. Sometimes they respond faster to written inquiries, and you'll have a paper trail of your communication. Also, check if your former employer has an HR hotline or benefits specialist who can help clarify how they reported your severance payment. I had to go back to my old company twice to get the right documentation, but it was worth it in the end. The whole process is frustrating, but don't give up! You're entitled to both benefits if everything is coded correctly.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got severance after a layoff and need to apply for PFL to care for my mom. From what I've researched, the timing of when you receive the severance versus when you apply for PFL can matter too. If your severance is for a specific period (like "2 months salary"), EDD might consider those dates when determining your PFL eligibility window. Has anyone had experience with this timing issue? I'm wondering if I should wait until after my "severance period" ends to apply for PFL, or if I can apply immediately since it's technically a lump sum separation payment. The EDD website isn't super clear on this scenario. @Zoe Alexopoulos - definitely keep us posted on how your call with EDD goes! Your situation will help a lot of us navigate this confusing process.

idk if this helps but I had luck emailing them through the contact form on their website. took like a week to get a response but at least I didn't have to deal with the phone nightmare

I had a similar issue last year and what finally worked for me was calling the 833-978-2511 number (the disability insurance line) instead of the main PFL number. For some reason it was easier to get through, and they were able to transfer me to the right department. Also, try calling right at 8 AM sharp - I literally had my phone ready to dial at 7:59:59 AM. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through these hoops, but sometimes you gotta work the system. Hope this helps!

This thread is absolutely incredible - I've been lurking in this community for months but had to create an account just to thank everyone for sharing such detailed, real-world experiences! I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first baby and scheduled for a C-section in early May. My HR department gave me a single pamphlet about "California disability benefits" and basically said "figure it out yourself," so finding this treasure trove of actual user experiences is like striking gold. I've been taking notes on everyone's advice and wanted to share what I'm planning based on all your insights: ✅ Schedule conversation with OB about 8-week C-section recovery certification at my 36-week appointment ✅ Set up dedicated filing system (both physical and digital) for all documents ✅ Screenshot EVERYTHING during online applications ✅ File SDI immediately after delivery, PFL about 10 days before SDI ends ✅ Budget for 2-3 week potential payment gap ✅ Check with employer about supplemental disability benefits ✅ Set phone reminders for bi-weekly certifications One question I haven't seen addressed - has anyone dealt with this process while also managing gestational diabetes or other pregnancy complications? I'm wondering if having additional medical conditions affects the SDI timeline or certification process at all. Also, does anyone have experience with EDD's mobile app, or is the desktop website the way to go? I'm trying to prepare for managing this while potentially stuck on the couch recovering! Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your knowledge - this community is amazing! 🙏

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm 31 weeks pregnant with my second baby (first was vaginal delivery so this C-section process is all new to me) and have been so confused about the SDI/PFL timing. My first pregnancy was in 2022 and the rules felt different back then, plus I only needed 6 weeks recovery time. Reading through everyone's experiences has clarified so much! I had no idea about the potential payment gaps or that you need to apply for PFL separately - I was definitely planning to file both at the same time like a previous commenter mentioned (glad I read about that mistake first!). Quick question for the group: Has anyone dealt with this process while also coordinating childcare for their older child during recovery? I'm trying to figure out if the SDI payments will be enough to cover both my reduced income AND the extra childcare costs I'll need while I'm recovering. My 3-year-old usually goes to daycare part-time, but I'm thinking we might need full-time care for those first few weeks post-surgery. Also, is there any benefit to having your partner take PFL bonding time AFTER you finish your 8 weeks, or is it better to overlap? I'm trying to maximize our total time at home with the new baby. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that makes all the difference!

Sending positive vibes your way, OP! Dealing with EDD while on maternity leave is the last thing you need. Hope it gets sorted out quickly! 💖👶

I went through something similar a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was getting a written statement from HR that clearly breaks down exactly what they're paying vs what EDD should be covering. Make sure it includes specific dollar amounts and dates. Also, if you have direct deposit, screenshot your bank statements showing the actual amounts you're receiving from your employer - this helped prove my case when EDD kept insisting I was getting full salary. The whole process took forever but having that documentation made all the difference. Hang in there mama! 💪

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm dealing with a similar issue where my middle name is getting truncated and causing validation errors. Reading through all these solutions has given me a whole action plan to try. I'm especially interested in the mobile version approach and the local EDD office suggestion - those seem like they might be less stressful than fighting with the main system. One thing I wanted to add: if anyone is dealing with this and has dependents, make sure to factor in the extra time these workarounds might take. I almost missed some important school paperwork deadlines because I was so focused on getting the EDD application submitted. Sometimes it helps to tackle these government systems like a part-time job - set aside specific hours and don't let it consume your whole day. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and solutions! 🙌

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been lurking and reading through all these amazing suggestions! I'm currently dealing with my own EDD application issues (different problem, but same frustration level). This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many potential workarounds for the broken system. What strikes me most is how we've essentially become a support group helping each other navigate what should be a straightforward government process. It's both inspiring and deeply frustrating that we have to crowdsource solutions like this. For anyone still struggling with the name length issue, I'd definitely recommend trying multiple approaches from this thread simultaneously rather than going one by one - the mobile version, all caps, periods for hyphens, etc. Time seems to be critical with these applications, so casting a wide net might help. Also wanted to say thank you to everyone sharing their experiences, especially @Jasmine Quinn, @Yuki Kobayashi, and @Justin Trejo for the detailed professional insights. This community is proving that sometimes peer support is more valuable than official customer service! Sending good vibes to everyone dealing with EDD nightmares right now - we'll get through this! 🤞✊