Anybody else think its ridiculous that we pay into this system our whole working lives, but when we actually need it, its nearly impossible to use? 🤡 The whole thing needs an overhaul.

I just went through this whole process last month and finally got my payments! Here's what worked for me: I called the 1-877-238-4373 number at exactly 8:01 AM on a Tuesday and got through after about 30 minutes on hold. The rep was actually super helpful and walked me through the benefit calculation. They use your highest quarter earnings from the past 18 months, then it's about 60-70% of your weekly wage up to the max ($1,620/week in 2024). My payments started coming 2 weeks after approval, and they were backdated to when my leave started. Don't give up - persistence really does pay off with this system!

I'm going through something similar right now - submitted my DE 2580GF form about 10 days ago and radio silence from EDD. It's so stressful when you're relying on these benefits! Reading through everyone's advice here, I think I'm going to try the early morning call strategy that a few people mentioned. Also planning to send a follow-up email with my original submission date like Isabella suggested. For what it's worth, I don't think you need to worry too much about the duplicate submission - from what I'm seeing in other threads, it happens more often than we think and they're used to dealing with it. Just be upfront about it when you do get through to someone. We shouldn't have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic acknowledgment that our paperwork was received, but here we are! 🤷‍♀️ Keep us posted on how it goes - rooting for you!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! Submitted my DE 2580GF form about 12 days ago and complete silence from EDD. It's so anxiety-inducing when you're depending on these benefits to pay bills and support your family. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the duplicate submission isn't a big deal - they see it all the time. I'm definitely going to try that 8am calling strategy that several people mentioned. The idea of using certified mail next time is brilliant too - at least then you'd have proof of delivery. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become amateur detectives just to figure out if our paperwork made it through their system. But I guess persistence is the name of the game with government agencies! Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this struggle. 💪 Natasha, please keep us posted on how it goes when you do get through to someone!

Just wanted to add my experience from last month - my weekly benefit amount stayed exactly the same when I transitioned from SDI to PFL ($847/week for both). However, I did notice that the PFL payments seemed to process a day or two slower than my SDI payments used to. Not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind for budgeting. One tip: I started my PFL application about 10 days before my SDI was set to end, and the transition was seamless. The EDD rep I spoke with recommended applying 2 weeks early if possible to avoid any gaps. Also, make sure you have your SDI claim number handy when filing for PFL - it speeds up the process!

Currently going through this transition myself and can confirm what everyone's saying - the weekly amount stays the same! I'm getting $743/week on both SDI and PFL. One thing I wish someone had warned me about though: make sure you download/screenshot your SDI payment history before your claim ends because once you transition to PFL, you lose access to that detailed SDI portal. I was trying to reference my payment dates for tax purposes and couldn't get back into the old system. The PFL side really doesn't give you much to work with in terms of tracking. Also, when you apply for PFL, they'll ask for your expected return to work date. Don't stress too much about getting this exactly right - you can always extend or shorten your leave as needed, but having a reasonable estimate helps them process everything faster.

Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I'm military and was stationed in CA temporarily but kept my home state license. What worked for me was using my military ID along with my Social Security card. The key was being persistent and polite when explaining my situation. I also recommend having your orders or proof of temporary residence ready if you're in a similar situation. The representative I finally reached was actually very understanding once I explained that I was military and couldn't change my state of residence. Don't give up - there are definitely ways around the CA license requirement, you just have to find the right person who knows the system!

Just want to echo what others have said about persistence paying off! I had this exact issue earlier this year - moved to CA from Oregon and couldn't access my account. What finally worked was a combination of calling multiple times until I got someone helpful AND having all my documents ready to go. I used my Oregon driver's license + passport + Social Security card. The rep walked me through uploading them through their secure portal and flagged my account for manual review. Took about 2 weeks total but I finally got access. Pro tip: call early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - seemed like I had better luck reaching someone who wasn't already burned out from dealing with frustrated callers all day. Don't lose hope, it's definitely solvable!

To answer your question about the birth certificate - you don't need to wait for the official birth certificate to arrive before applying for PFL. When you file your PFL claim, you can initially provide the hospital discharge papers or other documentation showing you had the baby. You can always provide the birth certificate later once it arrives. And yes, you can typically use PTO to supplement SDI and PFL to get to 100% of your normal wages, but that's entirely up to your employer's policies. Some allow it, some don't, and some require you to use PTO first before state benefits kick in. Definitely check with your HR department.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation! I had a UI overpayment from 2021 that I was still paying off when I went on maternity leave in 2023. Like everyone said, it didn't affect my SDI or PFL at all - got my full benefits on time. One thing I'd add is to screenshot/save all your documentation when you file online. The EDD system can be glitchy and sometimes forms don't save properly. I learned this the hard way when my initial SDI filing seemed to disappear and I had to resubmit everything. Also, set up direct deposit if you haven't already - it's so much faster than waiting for paper checks, especially when you're dealing with newborn chaos! You've got this mama! The hardest part is just the anxiety of not knowing, but sounds like you're being super proactive about getting everything sorted.